Cats finishing lets them down in Semple showcase

BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR

ALLIANZ NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE FINAL

FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles

Kilkenny 1-20

Clare 3-16

Clare secured the 2024 Allianz League Division One title with a 2-point win over the Cats in Thurles last Saturday night. Derek Lyng’s side were uncharacteristically wasteful in the opening half in Semple Stadium, and ultimately this cost them dearly when the long whistle sounded. It was a much less clinical Kilkenny performance, compared to that on Leeside a couple of weeks earlier, but as the manager alluded to afterwards, it’s all part of the learning process for his side.

The Noresiders took to the field with one change to their selected line-up, and a major one at that, the legendary TJ Reid absent having picked up a knock in training in the run-up to the final. Billy Drennan replaced the Shamrocks Ballyhale legend, and it would be the young Galmoy player that registered the game’s opening score inside the first minute from a placed ball. The Banner levelled matters in the 3rd minute, thanks to a nice effort from the manager’s son, Darragh Lohan.

Glenmore’s Shane Murphy then edged the Cats ahead with a stunning effort from just outside the ‘65, providing another glimpse of what the talented defender can bring to the intercounty scene. Referee Johnny Murphy then adjudged Jordan Molloy to have fouled Peter Duggan, and Aidan McCarthy hit the first point from what would be an impressive personal tally of 2-10 in the league decider. Billy Ryan then took advantage of a Diarmuid Ryan spilled catch to collect possession and burst through before splitting the posts for a fine point.

Diarmuid Ryan then struck over a lovely score from the right sideline after being played into space by Darragh Lohan’s pass, moments after Tommy Walsh needed a new hurl, following Peter Duggan’s robust challenge as he cleared the ball up field. Aidan McCarthy then won and converted a second placed ball thanks to Johnny Murphy. Then came a tremendous, long-range score from David Blanchfield whose effort was struck over from inside his own’65.

One of Clare’s rising stars, Adam Hogan then produced a stunning block to deny Eoin Cody’s goal bound shot, but Kilkenny managed to notch a point thanks to the alert Adrian Mullen for his side’s first score in over 8 minutes. The hard-working David Reidy then picked out Mark Rodgers who got the better of his marker before rifling over. Cian Galvin then took a lovely catch before turning and pointing to the cheers of the Banner support.

Adrian Mullen then showed his class, firstly taking a fine catch and then splitting the Clare posts to level matters with 20minutes played in Semple Stadium. It was developing into an interesting tussle, with several battles all over the pitch, the most keenly contested being between Eoin Cody and Adam Hogan, the young Feakle man not giving an inch to the former two-time young hurler of the year.

Shamrocks clubman Mullan then struck another score, this time after his goal attempt was blocked by the fortunate Conor Leen. Richie Reid then showed that he could match his fellow wing back Blanchfield’s shooting when he fired over from midfield after taking a nice pass from Luke Hogan. Jordan Molloy then put the Cats 3 points ahead when he fired over from out on the left side, having been set up nicely by Billy Drennan.

Limerick whistler Murphy, who had given several frees for too many steps, continued this trait, when we blew up Eoin Cody, who was being harried by two Clare players. Aidan McCarthy slotted the placed ball to reduce the Kilkenny lead. The Cats management then decided to make a change on the half hour, Mossy Keoghan was sprung from the bench, replacing Luke Hogan. Then came the games first major. Clare managed to secure the loose ball and Scariff’s Mark Rodgers gave a lovely pass to Aidan McCarthy, who made no mistake in rifling a fierce shot past Eoin Murphy. 33 minutes gone in Thurles, The Banner now leading by one.

Adrian Mullen then saw his name taken for a hefty shoulder on Cathal Malone, which seemed harsh, but having consulted his linesman, Johnny Murphy issued the yellow card and awarded a free to Clare, whose players and management team were a little too yappy for my liking following the challenge. A little bit of justice was done as McCarthy put his free just wide of the right-hand post. The Inagh-Kilnamona man made amends seconds later when Billy Ryan was adjudged to have illegally stopped the advancing Adam Hogan, the last action of a pulsating first half as Brian Lohan’s charges headed to the changing rooms two points to the good.

The Banner introduced Shane O’Donnell for the start of the second period, the talented forward replacing Ian Galvin but it would the Cats first sub, Mossy Keoghan that got the scoring underway after the interval, popping over a point from a tight angle. Brian Lohan’s men then pounced for their second major. Some strong running and approach play from David Reidy saw the Eire Og man find the supporting David Fitzgerald who got the better of Richie Reid before striking to the Kilkenny net, all this after taking about 10 steps. Referee? This saw the men in blue extend their lead to 4 points inside two minutes of the restart.

Derek Lyng’s men took the next score, a hard-earned point from Tullaroan’s Keoghan, before the same players control disserted him and this allowed Rodgers to set up McCarthy for another point. The in-from No.13 then popped over another placed ball to push the Banner lead to five points. Clare looked like they were in for another goal, when McCarthy burst through, but Tommy Walsh took one for his team and picked up a yellow card for his high challenge, when the Clare players wanted at least a black. The fouled player split the posts for another point.

Billy Drennan, who had been on the periphery of the game then made way for Dicksboro’s Timmy Clifford, as Kilkenny looked to freshen things up a little. A Kilkenny free in defence was worked short to the advancing Eoin Murphy who picked out the roaming Eoin Cody and that allowed the latter to strike over. David Reidy then turned provider for Cathal Malone and the Sixmilebridge man rifled over another quality point. Kevin Blanchfield then entered the fray in place of Jordan Molloy with The Banner 6 points ahead.

Cian Kenny then powered forward and struck over a great score, that was confirmed via Hawkeye as the Village man tried to rally his teammates. John Donnelly then worked a sideline short to Timmy Clifford who popped it straight back to the Thomastown man who fired over a classy point to reduce the Clare lead to four. From the puck out, the ball broke to David Fitzgerald, who took, well let’s say, a fair few steps before ‘hand passing’ to Aidan McCarthy who shortened his grip before batting past the advancing Eoin Murphy. The Cats were now seven behind.

Eoin Cody then slotted over a placed ball to try and settle the Kilkenny players, before John Donnelly picked out Mossy Keoghan who sent over another lovely score. Liam Blanchfield then replaced the hard-working Billy Ryan for the last 10 minutes as Derek Lyng looked for a more physical presence in and around the house. Mossy then won a free that Cody dispatched between the Clare posts to reduce the gap to 4 points.

Johnny Murphy then gave Aidan McCarthy another simple chance to add to his tally, while issuing another yellow card, this time to Kevin Blanchfield. Clare sub Aaron Shanagher then set up Mark Rodgers for a cracking score as The Banner faithful found their voices again. Then came goal number four of an entertaining contest. Paddy Deegan launched a long diagonal ball in the direction of John Donnelly who passed to the on running Eoin Cody. The Shamrocks Ballyhale man steadied himself before striking across Eibhear Quilligan in the Clare goal. It was now a one score game with 5 minutes plus stoppage time remaining.

Shane O’Donnell then won a free that was again converted by Aidan McCarthy to edge The Banner four ahead. A big moment the arrived – a moment that could have possibly changed the outcome of the final. Referee Johnny Murphy awarded a penalty to Kilkenny and issued a black card to Clare’s Mark Rodgers. Eoin Cody stepped up but didn’t get a great connection on his strike which Eibhear Quilligan saved despite a little difficulty.

Cian Kenny then fired over a nice score after things became a little hectic as 5 minutes of additional time were signaled. The James Stephens man then gave a pass to Mossy Keoghan who did well to create space for a shot that sailed over the bar and make it a 2-point game. Huw Lawlor then tested the jersey of Peter Duggan, and McCarthy popped over the placed ball. Adam Hogan was then penalised for trying to charge out of the Clare defence and Eoin Cody struck over the placed ball for what was to be the final score of the game. Final score in Semple Stadium, Clare 3-16, Kilkenny 1-20.

Scorers for Kilkenny: Eoin Cody 1-4 (3fs), Martin Keoghan 0-4, Adrian Mullen 0-3, Cian Kenny 0-2, Shane Murphy, David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Jordan Molloy, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan, and Billy Drennan (f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 2-10 (9fs), David Fitzgerlad 1-0, Mark Rodgers 0-2, Diarmuid Ryan, Darragh Lohan, Ian Galvin, and Cathal Malone 0-1 each.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Tommy Walsh, Huw Lawlor, Shane Murphy; David Blanchfield, Paddy Deegan, Richie Reid; Cian Kenny, Jordan Molloy; Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan; Luke Hogan, Billy Drennan, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Martin Keoghan for Hogan (30), Timmy Clifford for Drennan (45), Kevin Blanchfield for Molloy (51), Liam Blanchfield for Ryan (60).

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Conor Leen; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, Cian Galvin; Cathal Malone, Darragh Lohan; David Fitzgerald, David Reidy, Peter Duggan; Aidan McCarthy, Ian Galvin, David Reidy.

Subs: Shane O’Donnell for I Galvin (HT), Aron Shanagher for Reidy (53), David McInerney for C Galvin (58), Rory Hayes for Leen (59), Seadna Morey for Lohan (67).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).

MULLINAVAT GAA BOOK LAUNCH

A new chapter (or two!) for the ‘Vat

Mullinavat GAA Club is looking forward to seeing all friends, and of course members, both past and present, on Saturday 11th May at Mullinavat Community Centre (8pm) to officially launch our two-part club history book.

Both books are written by Club P.R.O. Johnny Power and cover the 140 years of GAA in the parish.

Volume One covers the main adult club hurling and football histories, introductions from people like current GAA President Jarlath Burns and former President Nicky Brennan. We also have a section in Volume one on club heroes like Monsignor Thomas Maher, Jim Conway, our current three club presidents, a chronology of the club itself, etcetera.

Volume Two covers everything else, the full handball and camogie club histories, ladies’ football, the story of Mullinavat fete and other tournaments, and all grades from Under 12 right through to Special Junior grades.

The books are professionally produced by ex-Meath All Ireland star Liam Hayes and Hero Books and have hard covered full colour front and back covers.

Mullinavat are currently taking pre-orders, but post launch both books will always be available from Amazon.

For launch night both volumes will be made available at the special cost price of €30 per book, €60 for both.

Mullinavat GAA Club is looking forward to seeing a large attendance from Mullinavat parish and beyond at this event.