League finalists confirmed as dreaded drop looms for Noreside quartet
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League
Super Saturday on Noreside saw no shortage of entertainment as the final round of games in the 2026 St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League were played out at six venues across the County. Our league final will see the meeting of Shamrocks Ballyhale and Thomastown, despite both teams slipping up in round five. The Shield decider pits O’Loughlin Gaels against Graigue Ballycallan, the former getting the better of Tullaroan, the latter going down by a point to Glenmore as the group stages completed last weekend. While there may be no silverware on offer, the prize for escaping the drop is probably greater and that will be the aim for the quartet of Danesfort, Bennettsbridge, Erins Own and Clara.
The ‘Bridge knew what lay ahead for them going into their fifth outing, and perhaps they played with a little more freedom when taking on neighbors Thomastown. A Liam Blanchfield goal was the difference at the long whistle as Brian Lannon’s charges recorded their only win in Group A. James Hughes was accurate as ever, notching eight points, while Sean Morrissey had an impressive afternoon rifling over 0-5. Fourteen of the ‘Town’s twenty-point total came from Clan Donnelly. The Hoops will now face the stripes of Danesfort in a relegation semifinal despite last season’s intermediate champions getting the better of Shamrocks Ballyhale in Gowran.
It was a much-changed reigning county champions side that took to the field, No TJ, Brian Cody, Joey Holden, Ronan Corcoran or Richie Reid, and the ‘Fort took full advantage by notching their second win in Group B. The young trio of Ben Whitty, Anthony Ireland-Wall and Fionn Mahony contributed twelve points, while Robbie Wash hit 0-4. Veteran netminder Paddy Hogan struck over two points, while Cathal’s O’Neill and Kearney shared four. Mark Aylward’s side good performances from Captain for the day, Eoin Cody (0-6), the inform Niall Shortall (0-5) while Darragh Corcoran top scored in a half-back line that registered six points at the home of Young Irelands.
Muckalee was the venue for Dicksboro’s 15-point victory over frequent relegation strugglers, Erin’s Own. The Palmerstown side had far too much firepower for their opponents, Shane Stapleton top scoring for the ‘Boro with an impressive 2-9, while Harry Shine notched 1-1. Cillian Hackett enjoyed his visit to the home of St. Martin’s, registering 0-5 in his sides comfortable win. Eamon Jackman’s team will now meet Glenmore in a championship 1st round clash. The defeated side will now take on Clara as they hope to secure another season of survival and will need Conor McMahon (1-3), Shane Feehan, Michael Brennan (0-3) and the Buggy’s to raise their levels once again.
Talking of Clara, the maroon-clad side came up five points short in their defeat to Mullinavat in Dunnamaggin. Joe Connolly started the game and notched 0-11 while Paul Cody hit a couple of nice scores and they will hope that Conor O’Shea, captain Chris Bolger and Lester Ryan can did deep for them when they take on the ‘Comer men, but they cannot afford an 18-minute scoring drought, like they did during the second period. The ‘Vat did a good job steering themselves away from the danger zone, thanks to a 13-point haul from the lively Oisin Knox. The Vegas Boys major came from sub Joe Gahan in the 46th minute and to be honest, they always looked comfortable. Next up for Mullinavat is a knockout clash with Tullaroan.
Piltown hosted the meeting of Graigue Ballycallan and Glenmore, and had the Tom Ryall Park men won this one, they would have found themselves in a league final, given Thomastown’s surprise defeat to the ‘Bridge. Clearly the men from Pairc na Ratha hadn’t read the script as they prevailed by the bare minimum to set up a meeting with Dicksboro. Captain Ian Byrne led the way notching 0-5, while Jack Dollard was flying on the flank, hitting a couple of very tidy scores. The light blues again had Aaron McEvoy leading the way in the scoring takes with nine points, while their major was scored by sub Shane Butler in the 45th minute. GBC now takes on O’Loughlin Gaels in the shield final, which should be a very entertaining affair.
One of the most entertaining games of round 5 was the meeting of Tullaroan and O’Loughlin Gaels at Kells Road. Late drama unfolded when the St Johns Park side, a point ahead going into additional time struck the decisive blow, a 9th goal this campaign for rising star Ruarc Sweeney, who hit 2-1 in the victory. The pacy Cian Byrne and experienced Conor Heary shared 6 points between them, while Fionan Mackessy registered 1-2 as Brian Hogan’s men set up a shield final encounter with GBC. It was good to see Owen Wall back hurling, while there were rests for Mikey Butler and Greg Kelly, ahead of more important tests. For the Sash, Mossy hit 1-1, Gearoid Dunne 0-5, John Walton 0-3 and the reliable Dylan Simpson top scored with 0-8. The challenge of Mullinavat now awaits Tullaroan.
SHERRY SAYS…………..
Five rounds of really great hurling done and dusted. Twelve senior clubs that now have a much clearer picture of the business end of the season on Noreside. The League final will see Shamrocks Ballyhale take on Thomastown; the two group winners will size each other up, knowing that championship silverware is their real desire. Mark Aylward’s side had been motoring nicely; unbeaten ahead of their final group game, but they opted for change, and Danesfort took full advantage of that, although results elsewhere meant the ‘Fort were set for relegation semifinal action. Thomastown last the derby bragging rights as Bennettsbridge picked up the rarest of wins in this season’s campaign, but the hooped side were primed for a relegation battle ahead of the conclusion of the round robins.
The Shield Final will see O’Loughlin’s tackle Graigue Ballycallan; this could be a cracker as the Tom Ryall Park side have been hurling well this summer. Brian Hogan’s side are ticking along, quietly, hoping and praying to get some more bodies back on the field in what has been an injury plagued season for the 2023 County champions. Two men that would light up this fixture will be watching from elsewhere in the world, Huw Lawlor and Billy Ryan, a loss to club and County.
Keeping your seat at the top table in Kilkenny is the bare minimum for all teams. The quartet of Erin’s Own, Clara, Bennettsbridge and Danesfort know that there is little margin for error starting next weekend. Last season’s intermediate champions Danesfort’s battle with the ‘Bridge could be very tasty, as the Blanchfield’s look to steer their side away from the drop. Paul Murphy and Paddy Hogan are two seasoned veterans who will want their side to get another crack at the ‘big guns’ next season. More about all those games next week. This weekend, it’s all about Intermediate and Junior action. James Stephens will look to continue their unbeaten run when they face Dunnamaggin in the league final in UPMC Nowlan Park tomorrow at 4pm, the second game of a double headed which is preceded by the shield final between Rower Inistioge and Lisdowney. Hoping to remain in the second tier are St Lachtain’s who take on St Martin’s, and Young Irelands who meet Blacks & Whites. Meanwhile, first round action in the Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Championship sees Tullogher-Rosbercon tackle Carrickshock, while Mooncoin takes on Barrow Rangers. Plenty of hurling for everyone this weekend.
