Eoin Cody steers Shamrocks to ‘Comer clash
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League
It was an afternoon of action across Noreside last Saturday as the lay of the land became clear in this seasons St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League. The big winners were Shamrocks Ballyhale who despite taking to the field without their talisman TJ Reid, had too much in attack for a misfiring Dicksboro side. The defeat in Gowran meant that Eamon Jackman’s charges will face off against Graigue Ballycallan in one of two relegation semi-final / championship first round clashes. The other teams staring down the barrel are Lisdowney and Clara who lost to Glenmore and Mullinavat respectively. The victors in these games will contest the Shield final, while the table toppers O’Loughlin Gaels and Thomastown have a league final to look forward to.
It was windy everywhere across the county as round 5 got underway. The main talking point in Gowran was the absence of TJ Reid from the Shamrocks team. As the legend sipped coffee, the word was that a tight hamstring was the reason for his sitting the final round out. With both sides knowing that stakes were high, a fast start ensued with Liam Moore opening the scoring, having taken a nice a pass from Cillian Hackett. From the restart, John Fitzpatrick could have sought a major but chose the sensible option and got the scoreboard moving for Shamrocks. Eoin Cody, who was the standout performer for Henry’s charges on the day got what would be the first of eleven points for the intercounty star.
Having just returned from an appendix operation, the impressive Matthew Kelleher struck over his sides second score of the afternoon to level matters on two minutes. The first goal of the game then arrived, and it came from an unlikely source. Dicksboro were awarded a free from around their own ‘65. Defensive lynchpin Padraic Moylan stood over it and struck a powerful shot that was travelling towards the Shamrocks posts. Dean Mason appeared to get his angles or the swirling wind slightly wrong and the sliotar nestled in the back of his net. Jackman’s team built on this fortunate major by tagging on the next score, another tidy point from the returning Kelleher to give the Palmerstown men a 4-point lead after five minutes of action in Gowran.
Shamrocks didn’t let this deficit worry them and went about getting back into the game. A probing delivery into the ‘Boro defence was missed by the usually dependable Niall Rowe which allowed Niall Shortall to pounce and finish beyond Darragh Holohan to leave Henry Shefflin’s team just 1 point in arrears. Dicksboro then hit a few wides their opponents capitalised on with more accurate shooting. Eoghan Moylan broke this streak of wides with a sweet score which reduced Shamrocks lead to one point. Niall Shortall and Matthew Kelleher swapped points before Eoin Kenneally set up Ronan Corcoran for a lovely score. Eoin Cody whose roaming was causing all sorts of problems for ‘Boro then took a pass from his cousin, Evan Shefflin before he raced away and split the posts. Dicksboro’s main threat was Kelleher, and he duly pointed his 4th of the day. By the time the same player converted his first placed ball effort, the south Kilkenny club were 3 ahead with about five minutes of the opening period remaining. Three more scores were registered by the Holden Plant Rentals sponsored side, two cracking efforts from Ronan Corcoran and his midfield partner Brian Cody and another placed ball from Eoin Cody. The Palmerstown men added two scores to their tally, the experienced Cillian Buckley and a free from Matthew Kelleher to leave Shamrocks four to the good at the short whistle.
When play resumed, the placed ball takers exchanged frees before Richie Reid struck over a booming free from deep inside his own half. Eoin Cody then did likewise from play to extend the lead to six points. Then came a real boost for Henry’s team, the return of Adrian Mullen following a troublesome groin injury that hampered the former Kilkenny captain for much of the year to date. The next score was a fine example of power, pace and composure from ‘Boro goal scorer Padraic Moylan who split the posts having run some 80 yards.
Eoin Cody converted a ‘65 ahead of two frees from Matthew Kelleher to leave Jackman’s team trailing by four after 45 minutes of windy action in Gowran. The returning Adrian Mullen then struck over the next two scores, the first following a lovely team move starting from corner back, the second from the middle of the park as he settled back into club hurling. Dara Mason and Matthew Kelleher traded points before the result was put beyond doubt with about 8 minutes of normal time remaining. Again, the move started with Dean Mason and Joey holden exchanging passes before the former sent his pass deep into Dicksboro territory where Brian Cody took possession before rifling past Darragh Holohan.
Dicksboro subs Patrick Lacey and Shane Stapleton tagged on points while the unusually quiet Timmy Clifford went on a fine run before splitting the Shamrocks posts. It was Eoin Cody who capped a fine performance that collected his eleventh point of the game and his sides last score. Dean Mason again sowed his accuracy from the puck out to find his sides top scorer and Eoin Cody raced clear and with a little Pat Delaney hop he created space to fire over and cement a comfortable seven-point win for his side and to leave Dicksboro facing a relegation semi-final.
The business end of the season starts now!
St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League
League final
Thomastown vs O’Loughlin Gaels
Revenge may be on the minds of Brian Hogan’s side when they take on Thomastown in the league final this weekend. Having been dethroned of their county title by Noel Doherty’s charges last season. The ‘Town are the only unbeaten side following the group stage, while O’Loughlin’s lost their perfect record following the round 5 defeat to Bennettsbridge. While winning the Matty Power Cup might be nice, the last eight of the championship is undoubtably the focus of both these sides. Will they show their full hand? Time will tell.
Shield final
Glenmore vs Mullinavat
These two sides have brought a breath of fresh air to proceedings this season. Glenmore’s only defeat was at the hands of the current league champions, while Colm O’Byrne’s Vegas Boys are the holders of the Shield, and will be keen to retain this title. With Ian Duggan in great form for the ‘Vat and the likes for Cathal Beirne going well for the Parc na Ratha side, this could be an entertaining contest.
1st Round Championship
Bennettsbridge vs Tullaroan
Brian Lannon’s side avoided the dreaded relegation clashes by getting over the Loughs on the final day of the league. They had Kevin Blanchfield back on the pitch in Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan and getting minutes into the classy hurler was key ahead of this clash with the entertainers, Tullaroan. How the Bridge deal with the likes of Mossy Keoghan and the inform Dylan Simpson could have big bearing on how this game pans out.
Shamrocks Ballyhale vs Erins Own
Having comprehensively taken care of Dicksboro last time out, Henry Shefflin’s side will be confident of getting past a dogged Erins Own side. Getting minutes into Adrian Mullen was good for Shamrocks, while TJ should return for this clash. With Ronan Corcoran and Brian Cody back in situ, they should possess the firepower to reach the quarter finals. The Castlecomer side will look to the accuracy of Jack Buggy, Conor’s, Delaney and Fogarty alongside a handful of Brennan’s to bring the fight.
Relegation Semi-finals
Lisdowney vs Clara
While Clara notched one win from their group games, Lisdowney had nothing to show for their efforts. The joint lowest scorers and the team conceding the most points isn’t survival form, but they will battle and will need Brian Kavanagh and Aidan Tallis to be on top form. Clara have the speedy Rory Glynn, Chris Bolger, Shane Staunton and Paul Cody and this quality might see them retain their senior status.
Dicksboro vs Graigue Ballycallan
Many on Noreside will wonder how these two teams have found themselves in this precarious position, but the league tables don’t lie. While The Palmerstown outfit have been a little disappointing this season, The Tom Ryall Park men have been unlucky in many of their outings, losing by the odd puck here and there. With the ‘Boro missing a number of players including young star Tom McPhillips, this could be a tricky tie. Matthew Kelleher returned last weekend but looked to have picked up a hamstring injury late in the game. His absence would be a huge blow. Billy and Sean Ryan along with Jeff Neary, Aaron McEvoy and Conor Flynn will hope to help their side to safety.
