Mooncoin look to top Group A with Inistioge victory
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League 2026
Things are shaping up nicely ahead of the final round of group games in this season’s Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League, as teams battle it out for a shot at getting to the top table, while others fight against a drop to Junior level on Noreside. Only one team has a perfect record heading into round 5 and that is city side, James Stephens, who are seeking a return to senior level, having missed out last season, when coming up short against Danesfort.
Eoin Larkin’s side are in rude health and will be most people’s favorites to get back to where they belong in 2027. The Village are the top scorers at intermediate level this season, plundering 17 goals in the previous four rounds in group B. Intercounty star, Cian Kenny has been deployed in the’6′ role and his reading of the game and passing ability make him the ideal playmaker for the Kells Road side. The focal point of their attack is Ed Lauhoff, and the former underage Kilkenny player certainly looks to be coming of age and shouldering the responsibility of patrolling the edge of the square.
The experienced Luke Scanlon and Matthew McWey flank the towering Lauhoff, and both like to raise green flags as they have shown this season. The final group game will see James Stephens take on Barrow Rangers at St John’s Park tomorrow week. The Paulstown based side lost out to Walter Walsh & co. Last weekend, but had good performances from Joe Healy and midfielder, Jack Kelly.
Hot on the heels of The village are Lisdowney who are seeking an immediate return to senior level. Everything was going well for the North Kilkenny club, but they were brought back to earth in their round four game last time out, when Eoin Larkin’s side hit 5-24 to condemn Liam Dowling’s charges to their only defeat so far this campaign. Aidan Tallis continues to be one of their main men, and the intercounty man will be keen to return to senior level at the first time of asking. Brian Kavanagh, Eoin Kenny and Charlie Brennan will be key for the blue and white stripped clad side as the business end of the season approaches. Round 5 see’s Lisdowney travel the short distance to Ballyragget to take on relegation candidates, St Martin’s who had a 3-point win over Blacks & Whites in Tom Ryall Park in round 4.
Tullogher Rosbercon will be confident in getting something from their meeting with Eddie Scally’s Black & Whites when the teams meet in Bennettsbridge. The black and amber clad men had a good victory over Barrow Rangers in Ballyragget last weekend and leapfrogged their opponents into third place. Big Walter Walsh rolled back the years and had a stormer, hitting 1-3 while midfielder Conor Hennessey notched 0-7 in the win.
Group A of the Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League is a really tight affair. Mooncoin remains unbeaten with 3 wins a draw from their outings to date but know that Dunamaggin and Rower Inistioge are breathing down their neck, with both sides 2 points off top spot. Killian Hogan, Martin O’Neill and young Adam Croke provide a serious attacking threat, while Jim Delahunty, Paul Hennebry are an experienced pair to man the engine room.
Mooncoin’s final group game sees them on the road to tackle Rower Inistioge, who will be looking to take maximum points to make it interesting when the totaling up takes place. Rower got past a disappointing Young Ireland’s side last time out in Bennettsbridge, Eoghan Lyng, Eoin O’Brien and the evergreen Richie Leahy all contributing on the day.
Dunamaggin who are also in the race at the top end of the table take on struggling St Lachtain’s in Callan, and they will need to bounce back following a 3-point derby defeat in Hugginstown to Carrickshock. Denis Walsh Hickey’s Brian and Andy, and a pair of Fitzpatrick’s will look to drive a final nail into Freshford’s season, who may play with a little more freedom when many expect them to lose. Brian Kennedy, Paddy Killeen, Liam Hickey and Cian Dalton have quality, and, on their day, they can trouble many teams.
The meeting of Carrickshock and Young Ireland’s in Thomastown see’s both sides go in search of a second win in group A. The Gowran side know that they picking up maximum points might just recue something for them. Seamus Farrell, Killian Carey, and Cian Phelan will need to put their best feet forward for the red and white stripes. Carrickshock will look to the talented trio of Eoghan O’Neill, Jake O’Dwyer and John Power as they do battle at the Grennan venue.
So, an exciting ‘Super Saturday’ in prospect in the Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League as Round 5 will set things up nicely for the business end of the season on Noreside.
In intercounty news, it was confirmed last Saturday afternoon that Brian Hogan will assume the role of Kilkenny under -20 manager for next season. The appointment is set to be ratified during the September County Board meeting next month. The O’Loughlin Gaels clubman enjoyed a stellar paying career, racking up seven All-Ireland wins with the Cats, while he has also been responsible for the St John’s Park side’s resurgence in recent seasons, that led them to both county and provincial glory, and falling just short of the treble in 2023. Hogan was part of Henry Shefflin’s management team with the U-20’s last season and will look to build on the work done earlier this year.
