Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final.
Rower Inistioge 4-20 (32) Lisdowney 0-23 (23)
John Power at UPMC Nowlan Park
Lyng and Leahy strike twice each as South Kilkenny side produce stunning second-half display. Four outstanding second-half goals, two apiece from Eoghan Lyng and Richie Leahy, propelled Rower Inistioge into the MLM Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship final following a thrilling victory over Lisdowney at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday.
The South Kilkenny side produced a remarkable transformation after trailing by two points at the interval, 0-15 to 0-13. Having been involved in a closely fought opening half, Rower Inistioge exploded into life after the restart and turned the game decisively in their favour with a superb exhibition of attacking hurling.
The victory was built around a magnificent individual performance from Eoghan Lyng, who contributed heavily to the Rower score and finished with two goals and eleven points while Richie Leahy also showed his considerable experience and finishing ability with two excellent goals and two points, one from a sideline puck.
Lisdowney had every reason to feel confident at half-time after producing a strong opening 30 minutes. They matched Rower Inistioge score for score for long periods and, with several of their leading players performing at a high level, looked capable of progressing to the decider.
Niall Brennan opened the scoring for Lisdowney before Ned Spellman replied for Rower Inistioge. Andrew McEvoy then restored Lisdowney’s lead, but Rower Inistioge struck back with two Eoghan Lyng frees and a point from Richie Leahy to move 0-4 to 0-2 ahead after only four minutes. That early exchange proved to be an indication of what was to come, as neither side was prepared to give an inch. Scores continued to flow at both ends, with the two teams producing some excellent attacking hurling.
Lisdowney, however, gradually began to establish a greater scoring threat as the half progressed. Brian Kavanagh, Andrew McEvoy, Aidan Tallis, Charlie Brennan, David O’Carroll and Niall Brennan were all prominent as the Northern Kilkenny side found openings and maintained the pressure on their opponents.
Rower remained very much in contention, with Lyng proving particularly influential. He was their chief scorer during the opening half, registering seven points, including two from play and five from placed balls. Richie Leahy also produced one of the highlights of the opening period when he landed a splendid sideline cut, demonstrating the quality that Rower Inistioge possessed throughout their attack.
Lisdowney deservedly went into the dressing room two points ahead at the break, leading 0-15 to 0-13, but there was little indication of the storm that was about to hit them after the restart.
Rower Inistioge immediately raised the tempo. Kevin Murphy opened the second-half scoring with a point before Eoghan Lyng produced the first of the game’s decisive moments. The Rower attacker collected possession around 60 metres from goal and embarked on a powerful solo run through the Lisdowney defence. He drove forward with purpose before finishing superbly to the net in the 32nd minute.
It was a goal of real quality and suddenly the momentum swung dramatically towards the South Kilkenny side.
Lisdowney had barely recovered before another green flag was raised. Just a minute later, Richie Leahy found the net to put Rower Inistioge firmly in control. The score had transformed the contest, with Rower now leading 2-14 to 0-15.
The South Kilkenny side were playing with a new-found confidence, and their attack began to exploit gaps in the Lisdowney defence. The speed and directness of their second-half play caused considerable problems, while their ability to turn possession into scores proved crucial. Lisdowney refused to surrender and continued to search for a way back into the contest. They created opportunities and came close to finding the net on more than one occasion, but Rower goalkeeper Patrick Lyng was equal to the challenge.
The Rower custodian produced important saves in both halves, and his contribution was another significant factor in his side’s victory.
Lisdowney needed something special to get back into the contest, but instead Rower Inistioge delivered two further moments of attacking brilliance. Eoghan Lyng struck again in the 51st minute, firing a superb shot from around 20 metres to register his second goal and underline his outstanding display. Then, with the game moving towards its conclusion, Richie Leahy completed his own brace in the 59th minute. The experienced attacker jinked his way inside before keeping his composure to fire a low shot past the Lisdowney defence and into the net. Four second-half goals had effectively settled the outcome.
For Lisdowney, the defeat was difficult to take after such a promising first-half performance. They had played some excellent hurling before the interval and had deserved their two-point advantage, but they simply could not contain Rower Inistioge’s remarkable second-half surge.
The Rower victory was ultimately founded on their ability to raise their performance when the game was there to be won. Lyng and Leahy supplied the finishing touches, but the overall team performance after half-time was equally impressive.
Their reward is a place in the MLM Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship final on October 18, where they will meet competition favourites James Stephens.
On the evidence of this second-half display, Rower Inistioge will have little fear of the challenge that awaits them. James Stephens may start as favourites, but Rower Inistioge have demonstrated that they possess the firepower, experience and attacking quality to make the final a highly competitive encounter.
The South Kilkenny side will now have two weeks to prepare for what promises to be a fascinating championship decider, with Lyng and Leahy’s goal-scoring exploits against Lisdowney providing a timely warning to their final opponents.
SCORERS
ROWER INISTIOGE
Eoghan Lyng (2-11, 0-8 frees, 0-1 “65”), Richie Leahy (2-2, 0-1 sideline), Jim Ryan (0-2),
Eoin O’Brien, Ned Spellman, Kevin Murphy, Tom O’Callaghan, Michael Galavan (0-1 each).
LISDOWNEY
Brian Kavanagh 0-8 (0-5 frees), Niall Brennan (0-3), Charlie Brennan (0-3), Andrew McEvoy (0-3), David O’Carroll (0-3), Aidan Tallis (0-3).
TEAMS
ROWER INISTIOGE
Patrick Lyng, Ruari Galavan, Shane Ryan, Ruaidhri Delaney, Edward Prendergast, George Murphy, Michael Galavan, Jim Ryan, Eoin O’Brien, Richie Leahy, Eoghan Lyng, Jack Roche, Ned Spellman, Kevin Murphy, PJ Mackey.
Substitutes: Tom O’Callaghan for PJ Mackey, Paul Kirwan for Michael Galavan, Eoin Doyle for Rustin Galavan.
LISDOWNEY
James McEvoy, Lar Campion, Richie McEvoy, Marty McEvoy, Cathal Jordan, Michael Kenny, Kevin Sweeney, Niall Brennan, Killian Dunne, Charlie Brennan, Andrew McEvoy, David O’Carroll, Eibhan McEvoy, Aidan Tallis, Brian Kavanagh. Substitutes: Willie Kenny for Killian Dunne, Eoin Kenny for Eibhan McEvoy, Rob McEvoy for David O’Carroll. Referee: Stephen Delaney.
