Jim Whelan report and photographs.
Palmerstown, the home of Dicksboro GAA and Camogie Club, provided the setting for an entertaining and at times dramatic first-round encounter in the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Premier Junior Hurling Championship on Sunday last, where Graiguenamanagh eventually edged past Galmoy on a scoreline of 0-28 to 4-11. There was plenty at stake for both sides, with Graiguenamanagh seeking revenge for last year’s championship defeat at the hands of their northern opponents, while both teams were also anxious to bounce back after suffering defeats in their most recent league outings.
Graiguenamanagh had gone down to Piltown, while Galmoy had been beaten by Cloneen, leaving both camps determined to put those disappointments behind them and make a positive start to their championship campaigns. Galmoy were unchanged for the first-round clash, while Graiguenamanagh introduced three new faces to their starting line-up as they looked to freshen things up for the knockout encounter.
There was a nervous opening to the contest, with both sides guilty of some early poor wides as the players settled into the game. Graiguenamanagh eventually opened their account when Cian O’Shea registered two quick points.
Galmoy responded through the free-taking ability of Billy Drennan, who converted two placed balls to level matters before Pierce Blanchfield edged Graiguenamanagh back in front.
The game burst into life in the seventh minute when Galmoy midfielder Ryan Murphy produced the first goal of the afternoon. Murphy collected possession and unleashed a brilliant effort from around the 14-yard line which flew past the Graiguenamanagh defence and into the net. Graiguenamanagh goalkeeper Colin Bolger had little opportunity to prevent what was an excellent finish.
The Barrow-side responded in impressive fashion and began to find their range from distance. Richard Foley was particularly prominent from centre-back, while Stephen Kinsella and Pierce Blanchfield also contributed some excellent long-range scores. Galmoy were unhappy in the 14th minute when they felt they should have been awarded a penalty. Corner forward Niall Drennan was brought down inside the danger area, but the referee waved play on and a yellow card was subsequently shown to Graiguenamanagh corner-back Eoin O’Brien. Billy Drennan made sure that Galmoy gained some reward from the incident, converting the resultant 21-metre free.
The exchanges were becoming increasingly competitive, with both teams showing plenty of determination and neither prepared to give the opposition an easy route to goal. Richard Foley continued to impress for Graiguenamanagh and struck two more excellent long-range frees as the Barrow men attempted to establish control. However, Galmoy had their own outstanding marksman in Billy Drennan.
The dangerous forward collected possession around the 21-metre line and made no mistake, rattling the Graiguenamanagh net with a powerful finish to bring Galmoy right back into contention. Drennan followed the goal with another pointed free, keeping the northern side firmly in touch.
Graiguenamanagh, however, finished the half strongly. Points from Cian O’Shea and Pierce Blanchfield helped them regain the initiative and, when the half-time whistle sounded, they held a narrow advantage. Graiguenamanagh 0-14, Galmoy 2-6.
Galmoy could hardly have wished for a better start to the second half. A long-range free from Billy Drennan appeared to be intended as a point but ended up in the back of the Graiguenamanagh net, giving Galmoy their third goal of the contest and putting them one point ahead. At that stage the northern side looked to have gained the momentum they needed.
Unfortunately for Galmoy, however, that proved to be their last score for a remarkable 17-minute period. Graiguenamanagh responded with one of the most decisive spells of the contest. The green and white hoops took complete control and began to pile on the pressure, firing over ten unanswered points. Stephen Kinsella was particularly influential from centre forward, while Pierce Blanchfield and Richard Foley continued to punish Galmoy from distance. The sustained scoring burst transformed the contest.
Graiguenamanagh had gone from being a point behind to establishing a significant advantage, and their ability to keep the scoreboard moving during that crucial period ultimately proved decisive. Galmoy, to their credit, refused to surrender. With the game entering its final quarter, they began to throw everything they had at the Graiguenamanagh defence. Their renewed pressure created several openings and forced goalkeeper Colin Bolger into two excellent saves.
Those stops were vital. Had either effort found the net, the closing stages could have taken a completely different turn. Instead, Bolger’s interventions ensured that Graiguenamanagh retained their advantage as the game entered its final five minutes. And there was still plenty of drama to come.
Graiguenamanagh captain James Meaney was shown a yellow card following a late challenge on Galmoy substitute Odhran Moloney. Once again, Billy Drennan stepped forward for Galmoy. The free was brought forward to the 21-metre line and Drennan opted to go for goal. His effort was struck high and hard and ended up in the roof of the net, giving Galmoy their fourth green flag and setting up a tense finish.
The late goal gave the northern side renewed hope, but Graiguenamanagh held their composure. They defended resolutely and refused to allow Galmoy the opportunity to find another opening. Further points from Cian O’Shea and Jack Ryan helped settle the nerves and ensured that the Barrow men would emerge with a hard-earned victory. When the final whistle sounded, Graiguenamanagh had secured a 0-28 to 4-11 victory.
In truth, the final scoreline was a little harsh on Galmoy, who had battled bravely and threatened at various stages. Their four goals demonstrated their ability to punish mistakes, while Billy Drennan once again proved a major threat.
However, their 17-minute scoring drought after the interval ultimately proved hugely costly. Against a Graiguenamanagh side with the scoring power to punish any lapse, such a barren spell was always likely to prove decisive.
For Graiguenamanagh, this was a valuable championship victory and one that should give them considerable confidence going forward. Their ability to recover from conceding three early goals, dominate the middle portion of the second half and withstand Galmoy’s late surge showed considerable character. The performances of Richard Foley, Stephen Kinsella, Pierce Blanchfield and Cian O’Shea were central to the victory, while goalkeeper Colin Bolger’s two late saves were every bit as important as the points at the other end.
Graiguenamanagh now advance to the second round where they face Windgap on Sunday next at Ballyhale, with the action getting underway at 12 noon.
For Galmoy, the championship journey has unfortunately come to an end. They had hoped to build on last year’s excellent championship run, but a difficult season, compounded by a series of injuries, made their task considerably harder this year. They can nevertheless take some encouragement from aspects of their display and, with a number of players returning from injury in the future, they will hope to come back stronger.
For Graiguenamanagh, however, the focus now turns firmly towards Windgap and another important championship test.
TEAMS
Graiguenamanagh: Colin Bolger, Dylan Cahill, Ivan Bolger, Owen O Brien, Joe Dowling, Richard Foley, James Meaney, Sean Walsh, Cain O Shea, Pierce Blanchfield, Jack Ryan, Steven Kinsella, Sean O’Grady, Ted Dunne, Seamus Kavanagh. Subs Conor Houlihan, Terry Dreelan, Thomas Ryan.
Galmoy: Joe Dollard, Sean Phelan, Kieran Phelan, Colman Moloney, Conor Grace, Conor Drennan, Gearoid Phelan, Oisin Phelan, Ryan Murphy, Callum Lonergan, Billy Drennan, Brandan Phelan, Niall Drennan, Jason Stanley, Dylan Grace. Subs, Nigel Stanley, Odran Moloney.
