Graigue Ballycallan 1-12 (15); Thomastown 0-15.
John Power at John Lockes Park.
Graigue Ballycallan and Thomastown played out an entertaining and highly competitive draw in the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League Group A at John Locke’s Park, Callan, on Thursday evening last.
On a night when the rain seemed determined to have as much influence on proceedings as the players, this was a contest that had almost everything. There were close physical exchanges, some excellent individual performances, plenty of drama and, to add to the entertainment, a bizarre moment involving the scoreboard. By the final whistle, the players were operating in near darkness on a pitch that had become increasingly waterlogged.
Despite the conditions, both sides produced a game that was well worth watching, and the outcome means that both clubs remain firmly in the hunt for silverware. Following the result, Graigue Ballycallan and Thomastown will feature in either the senior league final or shield final, depending on the outcome of their respective final group games.
Thomastown, the 2024 senior county champions, made the brighter start and looked to be taking control during the opening quarter. By the 16th minute they had opened up a 0-8 to 0-2 advantage.
Robbie Donnelly opened the scoring from a free before John Donnelly, Stephen Donnelly, Luke Connellan and Stephen Donnelly again found the target as the Town quickly settled into their rhythm.
Graigue Ballycallan needed a response, and it came from Aaron McEvoy, who has been one of their standout performers throughout the campaign. The Kilmanagh men’s attacker converted two frees to give his side a foothold in the contest.
Robbie Donnelly then added three more points for Thomastown, the first from play, leaving six between the teams as the rain began to fall with renewed intensity.
Graigue Ballycallan, however, gradually began to get to grips with the conditions and the Thomastown defence. They enjoyed a strong spell during the second quarter, scoring three points in four minutes.
Two excellent long-range efforts from Billy O’Neill, both struck from around the 50-metre mark, were followed by another McEvoy point, reducing the deficit to three, with Thomastown leading 0-8 to 0-5.
Donnelly responded with another free for Thomastown, but Graigue Ballycallan finished the half in impressive fashion. McEvoy converted a free before grabbing a crucial goal after a clever lay-off from Conor Flynn. O’Neill then added another long-range free as the Kilmanagh outfit turned the game completely on its head. At half-time Graigue Ballycallan led by 1-7 to 0-9.
If the first half had been played in difficult conditions, matters deteriorated further during the interval. The rain continued to hammer down and by the time the teams returned to the field, large patches of water had developed across the playing surface.
The second half began in bizarre circumstances when an additional Thomastown point appeared to be added to the scoreboard, bringing the sides level at 1-7 to 0-10. There had been no obvious score immediately beforehand, leaving players, officials and supporters alike wondering where the extra point had come from.
McEvoy quickly settled matters on the pitch, opening the scoring for Graigue Ballycallan with another point. The visitors then launched a determined attack which looked certain to produce a goal. Somehow, Thomastown survived as their defence produced a remarkable triple save to keep the sliotar out of the net.
Graigue Ballycallan had to settle for another McEvoy free a minute later, putting them three points clear. Robbie Donnelly replied with a free for Thomastown before McEvoy and Conor Flynn exchanged points to leave Graigue Ballycallan in front by 1-11 to 0-11 after 43 minutes.
With the surface becoming increasingly soggy and slippery, scores became much harder to manufacture. Thomastown, though, showed their experience and Robbie Donnelly converted three successive frees to bring the sides closer together. John Donnelly then produced one of the scores of the evening, striking a wonderful point from the wing to put Thomastown back in front, 0-15 to 1-11, with six minutes remaining.
Graigue Ballycallan refused to be beaten, and Ryan Corcoran levelled the contest in the 58th minute. There was still time for one final twist. Thomastown were awarded a free in the 60th minute which presented Robbie Donnelly with the opportunity to win the game. With the contest finely balanced, the Thomastown free taker stepped up, but the combination of the sodden sliotar, wet hurl and difficult conditions proved too much. His effort drifted left of the post and wide.
It was the final puck of a thoroughly enjoyable contest and, considering the dreadful weather, both teams deserved enormous credit for producing such an entertaining encounter.
Graigue Ballycallan will probably feel that victory was within their grasp. A spell in the second half when they registered three successive wides proved costly, particularly in a game where scoring opportunities were at a premium. Billy O’Neill, Jeff Neary, Jack Walton, Aaron McEvoy and Ryan Corcoran were among the Graigue Ballycallan players to impress, while Robbie, Stephen and John Donnelly were prominent for Thomastown.
Both clubs now turn their attention to their final group fixtures. Graigue Ballycallan face Glenmore, while Thomastown meet Bennettsbridge. Both sides have already secured their places in the championship quarterfinals and will also feature in either the senior league or shield final.
SCORERS
GRAIGUE BALLYCALLAN: Aaron McEvoy (1-7, 0-4 frees), Billy O’Neill (0-3, 0-1 frees), Conor Flynn, Ryan Corcoran (0-1 each).
THOMASTOWN: Robbie Donnelly (0-9, 0-7 frees), Stephen Donnelly (0-2), John Donnelly (0-2), Luke Connellan, AN Other (0-1 each).
TEAMS
GRAIGUE BALLYCALLAN
Sean McGrath, Richie Keoghan, Tom Dunphy Ben McEvoy, Colum Prenderville, Billy O’Neill, Stephen Keoghan, Jeff Neary, Jack Walton, Conor Flynn, Jesse Roberts, Tommy Ronan, Aaron McEvoy, Patrick Foley, Ryan Corcoran. Substitutes: Killian Egan for Colum Prenderville, Shane Butler for Patrick Foley, Cormac Neary for Jack Walton.
THOMASTOWN
Diarmuid Galway, Ned Kirwan, Peter Connellan, Zach Bay Hammond, Brian Staunton, Eddie Donnelly, Rory Connellan, Ben Nevin, Peter McDonald, Robbie Donnelly, John Donnelly, Stephen Donnelly, Daithi Barron, Luke Connellan, Jack Holden. Substitutes: Cian Doherty for Jack Holden, Conor Barce for Ben Nevin.
Referee: Eoin Maher (Mullin vat).
