Graigue Ballycallan 2-25 (31); Mulllinavat 3-16 (25).
John Power at Thomastown GAA Grounds.
Graigue Ballycallan remain unbeaten at the top end of Section A of the St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling League following a thrilling five-point victory over Mullinavat at Thomastown on Sunday last. It was a victory which further underlined the progress being made by the Kilmanagh outfit. For the first time in many years, Graigue Ballycallan have won their opening three games in the Kilkenny championship, and their latest success was all the more impressive given the manner in which they recovered from a disastrous opening quarter.
The club has been enjoying something of a golden period, having captured last year’s county Under-21 A title, and there is a growing belief that the current senior side can build on that success. They have also had to cope with the loss of inter-county star Billy Ryan from their 2025 senior panel, yet the younger players have stepped up admirably.
Mullinavat looked to be in complete control during the opening stages and appeared set to inflict a first defeat on their opponents. The Vegas men opened the scoring with an Oisin Knox free, although Jesse Roberts quickly levelled matters for Graigue Ballycallan. From there, Mullinavat took control and registered the next five scores. Ian Duggan contributed two points from play, while Oisin Knox added another free and Ger Malone and Liam Fennelly also found the target as Mullinavat moved into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead.
Graigue Ballycallan finally settled and produced an excellent response. Colum Prenderville, Aaron McEvoy from a free and Jesse Roberts all pointed in quick succession to reduce the deficit to just two points, 0-4 to 0-6, by the 11th minute.
However, Mullinavat were not prepared to surrender their advantage and responded with a devastating two-minute spell. Oisin Knox sent over a magnificent point from approximately 100 metres before Conor Power found the net after a clever catch and lay-off from Conor Walsh.
Graigue Ballycallan did manage to stop the flow when Ryan Corcoran pointed, but Mullinavat struck for a second goal shortly afterwards to open up an eight-point advantage. A long delivery from George O’Connor caused problems in the Graigue defence and Vegas full-forward Brian Phelan showed good composure to finish to the net.
The Kilmanagh men could easily have folded at this stage, but instead they showed the character which has been a feature of their season to date. By the 20th minute they had scored 1-2 in reply, with Aaron McEvoy converting a free before Conor Flynn produced an important goal and followed it with a point. The exchanges became increasingly open, with Ian Duggan and McEvoy trading scores before Billy O’Neill and McEvoy again exchanged points.
Mullinavat remained dangerous at the other end, with Conor Walsh pointing before Conor Power struck for his second goal of the afternoon in the 27th minute, following a fine save from Graigue Ballycallan goalkeeper Sean McGrath. That left Mullinavat seven points clear, but the Kilmanagh side continued to chip away at the deficit and managed to reduce it to five by the interval. Mullinavat 3-11, Graigue Ballycallan 1-12.
The second half was a completely different story. Aaron McEvoy and Ian Duggan exchanged early points before McEvoy added another free and Oisin Knox responded from a placed ball. Graigue Ballycallan were now beginning to dominate possession and territory, and their pressure finally paid dividends in the 42nd minute when McEvoy hit 1-1 from play to bring his side right back into contention. Knox steadied Mullinavat nerves with another free, but Graigue Ballycallan had now found their rhythm. Ryan Corcoran reduced the gap further before McEvoy took over, converting three frees in succession as the Kilmanagh side moved into the lead for the first time, 2-19 to 3-13.
Having completed such a remarkable recovery, Graigue Ballycallan refused to allow Mullinavat back into the contest. They finished strongly, outscoring the Vegas men by six points to two during the closing stages to secure an excellent five-point victory.
Aaron McEvoy was the outstanding performer and finished with a magnificent personal tally of 1-12. He was ably supported by Colum Prenderville and Jeff Neary as Graigue Ballycallan showed tremendous character to turn an eight-point deficit into a convincing victory.
For Mullinavat, Ian Duggan was their leading scorer with five points from play, while Tom Aylward and Conor Power also worked tirelessly throughout.
The result leaves Graigue Ballycallan unbeaten after three rounds and sets up a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash against the other unbeaten side in their group, Thomastown, in Round Four.
For Mullinavat, however, the situation is becoming increasingly worrying. The Vegas lads have collected just a single point from their opening three games and are now sailing close to the relegation trap door. Their next outing against Bennettsbridge has therefore taken on added importance, with the South Kilkenny side badly in need of a result to get their campaign back on track.
SCORERS
GRAIGUE BALLYCALLAN: Aaron McEvoy (1-13, 0-10 frees), Conor Flynn (1-1), Jesse Roberts (0-3), Ryan Corcoran (0-3), Colum Prenderville (0-2), Sean Ryan, Billy O’Neill, Shane Butler (0-1 each).
MULLINAVAT: Oisin Knox (0-7, 0-6 frees), Conor Power (2-0), Ian Duggan (0-5), Brian Phelan (1-0), Liam Fennelly (0-2), Conor Walsh (0-1), Conor Duggan (0-1).
TEAMS
MULLINAVAT
Seán Fitzpatrick, Bill Dempsey, Tom Aylward, Robin Davis, George O’Connor, Pádraig Dempsey, Padraic Gahan, Michael Malone, Ian Duggan, Conor Walsh, Ger Malone, Oisín Knox, Conor Power, Brian Phelan, Liam Fennelly. Substitutes: Joe Gahan for Michael Malone, Eoin Dempsey for Pauraic Gahan, David Maher for Bill Dempsey, Patrick Walshe for George O’Connor, Conor Duggan for Conor Walsh.
GRAIGUE BALLYCALLAN: Sean McGrath, Ben McEvoy, Tom Dunphy, Richie Keoghan, Colum Prenderville, Billy O’Neill, Stephen Keoghan, Jeff Neary, Jack Walton, Conor Flynn, Jesse Roberts, Tommy Ronan, Aaron McEvoy, Patrick Foley, Ryan Corcoran. Substitutes: Sean Ryan for Jack Walton, Shane Butler for Patrick Foley, Eoghan Cahill for Conor Flynn, Onsin Egan for Jesse Roberts.
Referee Paul Cahill (Dunnamaggin).
