St Canices Credit Union Kilkenny SHC Round One.
Tullaroan 1-28 (31); Mullinavat 2-20 (26) After Extra Time.
John Power at John Lockes GAA Grounds.
Tullaroan recorded their first victory in the knockout stage of the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship since 2022 when they eventually overcame a hugely resilient Mullinavat side after extra time at John Lockes GAA Grounds in Callan on Sunday. In a gripping and highly entertaining championship encounter played before a large crowd in glorious September sunshine, Tullaroan eventually prevailed by four points after a contest which appeared to have swung one way and then the other on numerous occasions.
Mullinavat led by four points at half-time and looked to be in a strong position, but their task became considerably more difficult just three minutes into the second half when they were reduced to 14 players following the dismissal of veteran midfielder Michael Malone. Despite being a man down for most of the remaining 60-plus minutes, Mullinavat refused to surrender and produced a remarkable display of determination, taking the game to extra time before finally running out of energy.
Tullaroan, who had endured a difficult record in recent senior championship knockout encounters, showed great character themselves and eventually found the extra quality required to get over the line. Shane Walsh opened the scoring for Tullaroan with an excellent sideline cut inside the opening minute, but Mullinavat responded almost immediately when Conor Power found the target. Dylan Simpson restored Tullaroan’s lead before three successful Oisin Knox frees put the South Kilkenny side 0-4 to 0-2 ahead. Simpson responded with a point from midfield before Knox again converted for Mullinavat. Peter Walsh then got on the scoresheet for Tullaroan, while Adam Mansfield replied for the Vegas side.
The game was developing into a lively and open contest and, by the 20th minute, Tullaroan had drawn level at 0-6 apiece following further points from Peter Walsh and Bill Gaffney. Knox, who was proving a constant threat from placed balls, restored Mullinavat’s advantage from another free. Tullaroan responded impressively, however, with Dylan Simpson and John Walton both finding the target before the 27th minute.
The momentum then swung back towards Mullinavat in the closing stages of the opening half. Michael Malone added a point and Knox followed with another successful free before Mullinavat struck for the game’s first goal. Brian Phelan finished a good move after efficient work from Conor Power, giving Mullinavat a significant boost just before the break. At half-time Mullinavat led by four points, 1-9 to 0-8, and Tullaroan knew they had plenty of work to do.
Knox opened the second-half scoring with another Mullinavat free, but Tullaroan immediately responded through Kilkenny inter-county star Martin Keoghan. Then came a major turning point. Just three minutes into the second half, Mullinavat’s hard-working veteran midfielder Michael Malone was shown a red card following a high challenge on an opponent. Mullinavat were now faced with the daunting prospect of playing the majority of the second half. Remarkably, the dismissal appeared to galvanise rather than discourage the South Kilkenny side. Conor Walsh intercepted possession and converted to leave Mullinavat five points clear, but Tullaroan were beginning to find increasing space around midfield as the numerical advantage began to tell.
Dylan Simpson converted a free before Keoghan added two excellent points as Tullaroan began to close the gap. By the 40th minute the score stood at Mullinavat 1-11, Tullaroan 0-12. Mullinavat refused to yield and Conor Power and substitute John Walsh restored their five-point advantage with two excellent scores.
From there, however, Tullaroan began to turn the screw. Ciallan Brennan, Bill Gaffney and Dylan Simpson all found the target, while goalkeeper Niall Holland produced two remarkable long-distance frees from well over midfield, including one which travelled more than 100 metres. Those scores transformed the contest and left Tullaroan ahead for the first time since the opening stages, 0-17 to 1-13.
Mullinavat responded through two Oisin Knox frees, either side of a Shane Walsh placed ball for Tullaroan, and the game was level once again. With neither side prepared to give way, extra time was required. Full-time: Mullinavat 1-15, Tullaroan 0-18.
Tullaroan made the better start to extra time, scoring three unanswered points through Shane Walsh, who contributed two, and Dylan Simpson. Mullinavat substitute Conor Duggan replied before Shane Walsh restored Tullaroan’s advantage. John Walsh then converted a Mullinavat free, but Tullaroan finished the first period of extra time strongly. John Walton and Gearoid Dunne added points to leave them 0-24 to 1-17 ahead at the interval.
Again, Tullaroan were quicker to the ball when play resumed and their pressure eventually produced a major breakthrough. A high ball was delivered into the Mullinavat square and Martin Keoghan rose to claim possession before finishing to the net. When Shane Walsh added another point shortly afterwards, Tullaroan had opened up an eight-point lead, 1-25 to 1-17.
At this stage, most teams might have accepted that the game was beyond them. Mullinavat, however, were certainly not prepared to do so. Despite being a man short, chasing a sizeable deficit and having players carrying injuries, they launched an astonishing late comeback. Conor Duggan reduced the deficit with a point before John Walsh found the net from a free. The same player then produced two wonderful points as Mullinavat suddenly found themselves back in contention at 2-20 to 1-25, with just two points separating the teams.
The momentum was again with the South Kilkenny men, but Tullaroan held their nerve when it mattered most. Gearoid Dunne added a crucial point before Shane Walsh converted a free to finally settle a remarkable championship encounter.
The final margin was five points, but it did not reflect the drama and tension of a game in which both teams had opportunities to take control. For Tullaroan, goalkeeper Niall Holland was outstanding, particularly with his extraordinary long-range frees. Tomas Dunne, Tommy Walsh, Martin Keoghan, Shane Walsh and Dylan Simpson also made major contributions to a memorable victory.
Mullinavat could take considerable credit from their performance despite the defeat. Tom Aylward, Oisin Knox and John Walsh were among their leading performers in a display which demonstrated enormous courage and determination.
For Tullaroan, the victory ends a long wait for success in a senior championship knockout game and provides a significant boost as they progress in the competition. They now advance to a quarter-final meeting with O’Loughlin Gaels, while Mullinavat can reflect on a tremendous effort which came within touching distance of producing one of the great comebacks of the Kilkenny championship.
SCORERS
TULLAROAN: Shane Walsh (0-7, 0-2 frees, 0-1 sideline), Dylan Simpson (0-6, 0-1 frees), Martin Keoghan (1-3), Peter Walshe (0-3), Bill Gaffney (0-2), John Walton (0-2), Niall Holland (0-2), Gearoid Dunne (0-2), Ciallan Brennan (0-1).
MULLINAVAT: Oisin Knox (0-9, 0-6 frees), John Walsh (1-4, 1-1 frees), Brian Phelan (1-0) Conor Power (0-2), Conor Duggan (0-2), Adam Mansfield, Michael Malone, Conor Walsh, (0-1 each).
TEAMS
TULLAROAN: Niall Holland, Joe Coughlan, Tomás Dunne, Charlie Cleere, Tommy Walsh, Pádraig Walsh, Bill Walton, Martin Walsh, Bill Gaffney, Martin Keoghan, Peter Walshe, Dylan Simpson, Shane Walsh, Gearoid Dunne, John Walton. Substitutes, Callan Brennan for Shane Walsh, Eamonn Holland for Charlie Cleere,
MULLINAVAT
Seán Fitzpatrick Bill Dempsey, Tom Aylward, Joe Gahan, Pádraig Dempsey, Padraic Gahan, Michael MaloneI, Ian Duggan, Conor Walsh, Oisín Knox, Ger Malone, Conor Power, Brian Phelan, Adam Mansfield. Substitutes, John Walsh for Brian Phelan, George O’Connor for Adam Mansfield, Conor Duggan for Conor Power, Patrick Walshe for Padraic Gahan. Extra Time, Adam Mansfield for Póidín Knox, Patrick Walshe for Ian Duggan, Conor Power for Conor Walsh.
Referee: Peter Burke.
