John Power at Piltown GAA Grounds
Mooncoin opened their Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League campaign with a deserved 2-19 to 2-14 victory over Southern rivals Carrickshock in an entertaining encounter played at the impressive Piltown venue on Friday evening.
The Suirsiders looked to have one hand on the league points when Martin O’Neill’s 41st-minute goal stretched their advantage to nine points, but a dramatic twist moments later ensured there would be no comfortable finish. A sending off for Mooncoin, followed immediately by a converted Carrickshock penalty, completely changed the complexion of the contest as the Shock mounted a spirited fightback.
Carrickshock reduced the deficit to just two points entering injury time and threatened an unlikely recovery, but Mooncoin kept their composure. A monster wind-assisted free from goalkeeper Donnacha Hogan steadied the ship before substitute Killian Hogan struck the decisive goal deep into added time to secure a hard-earned victory.
Playing against the breeze in the opening half, Mooncoin produced an impressive display built on industry, accurate striking and excellent movement. They shared the scoring responsibility throughout the team, with eight different players registering before the interval, and could easily have held a more commanding advantage at the break.
James O’Keeffe’s well-taken goal midway through the half proved the major score of the opening period as Mooncoin consistently found gaps in the Carrickshock defence. Although Adam Franks and Eoghan O’Neill kept the South Kilkenny men within touching distance, Mooncoin looked the more composed side in possession and carried the greater attacking threat.
Their reward was a 1-10 to 0-9 interval lead, one that arguably failed to reflect their overall superiority during the opening thirty minutes.
The second half opened with both sides exchanging scores as Paul Hennebry and Adam Franks traded points before Jim Delahunty and Jake O’Dwyer did likewise. Still leading by four points at 1-12 to 0-11, Mooncoin then produced what appeared to be the decisive spell of the contest.
Dominant around the middle third, they repeatedly forced turnovers and converted possession into scores. Their pressure was rewarded in the 41st minute when Martin O’Neill found the net, extending the lead to nine points and leaving Carrickshock with what looked an impossible task. Instead, the game swung dramatically.
A double yellow card reduced Mooncoin to fourteen men and, from the resulting attack, Carrickshock were awarded a penalty. Eoghan O’Neill made no mistake from the spot and suddenly the visitors had renewed belief. The goal sparked Carrickshock into life. O’Neill continued to punish every indiscretion, adding points from frees and a “65”, while Mikey Murphy also contributed as the deficit steadily disappeared. Mooncoin, so comfortable only minutes earlier, suddenly found themselves under sustained pressure as Carrickshock dominated possession and attacked with real conviction.
Man of the match Paul Hennebry responded with an important point to halt the momentum, but Carrickshock refused to relent. Fine scores from John Power and Padraig Lennon left only two points separating the teams entering injury time, setting up a tense finale. Mooncoin needed leadership and experience, and it arrived from an unlikely source. Goalkeeper Donnacha Hogan stepped forward to strike a remarkable wind-assisted free from almost 150 metres, restoring a three-point cushion with one of the scores of the evening.
Still Carrickshock battled on. John Power, who covered enormous ground throughout, split the posts from distance to reduce the margin once more and leave the minimum between the sides. However, with Carrickshock committing players forward in search of an equalising goal, Mooncoin struck the killer blow. Breaking quickly, Killian Hogan finished clinically to the net in the 62nd minute, ending the contest and ensuring the league points travelled back to Mooncoin.
Mooncoin’s first-half performance provided the platform for victory, while their ability to respond during Carrickshock’s late surge showed valuable composure. Paul Hennebry was an influential figure throughout and deservedly collected the man-of-the-match honours, while Cormac Daly, Robbie Doherty and Jim Delahunty also delivered impressive performances.
For Carrickshock, Eoghan O’Neill’s accuracy from placed balls kept his side in contention and inspired the second-half revival. Padraig Lennon impressed in attack, while the industrious John Power enjoyed an outstanding evening, covering huge territory and contributing several excellent scores.
Both teams now turn their attention to the second round of fixtures. Carrickshock will seek their first points of the campaign against Rower-Inistioge, while Mooncoin will look to build on this encouraging opening victory when they face neighbours Dunnamaggin in another eagerly anticipated South Kilkenny derby.
SCORERS
MOONCOIN
Killian Hogan (1-5, 3 frees, 1 “65”), Paul Henebery (0-6), Martin O’Neill (1-1), Jim Delahunty (0-3), James O’Keeffe (1-0), Adam Croke (0-1), Aidan Carroll (0-1), Donnacha Hogan (0-1, free).
CARRICKSHOCK
Eoghan I’Neill (1-7, 3 frees, 1 penalty, 1 “65”), John Power (0-3), Jake O’Dwyer (0-3), Barry Lennon, Edward Dwyer, Conor Farrell, Adam Franjs, Mikey Murphy, Padraig Lennon (0-1 each).
TEAMS
MOONCOIN
Donnchadh Hogan, Ben O’Hanlon, Cormac Daly, Aidan Doyle, Liam Hogan, Nark Kearns, Cormac Kinsella, Jim Delahunty, Paul Hennebrey, Robert Doherty, Adam Croke, Killian Hogan (VC), Martin O’Neill, James I’Keeffe, Aidan Carroll.
Substitutes:
Ryan Carroll for Aidan Doyle, Stephen Brennan for Aidan Carroll, Darragh Murphy for Jim Delahunty,
CARRICKSHOCK
Jamie Power, Michael Rohan, Matthew Murphy, Sean Moore Niall Tennyson, Padraig Lennon, Eddie Dunphy, Mikey Murphy, Barry Lennon, Conor Farrell, Jake O’Dwyer, Edward Dwyer, Adam Franks, Eoghan O’Neill, John Power.
Substitutes:
Darragh Brennan for Adam Franks, James Grace for Eddie Dunphy, Liam Walsh for Barry Lennon.
Referee: Julian O’Dwyer
