St Canices Credit Union SHL Group A Round Five.
Mullinavat 0-19; Clara 0-17.
John Power at Thomastown GAA Grounds.
Mullinavat will play senior hurling in Kilkenny for another year following a hard-fought five-point victory over Clara in their final group game at the excellent Thomastown venue on Saturday evening last. In a contest which ebbed and flowed for long periods, it was Mullinavat’s vastly improved second-half performance which ultimately decided the outcome. Five points adrift at the interval, the southern side produced a determined and impressive response after the restart, outscoring Clara by 1-11 to 0-4 in the second half.
With the aid of a strong breeze, Mullinavat began to dominate proceedings after the break and, as their confidence grew, Clara found themselves under increasing pressure. The northern side battled bravely to the finish and threw everything into their late search for a goal, but a resolute Mullinavat defence refused to yield. At the centre of the Mullinavat revival was the outstanding Oisin Knox. The Vegas man finished with an exceptional tally of 0-14, proving almost unerring from placed balls while also contributing three excellent scores from play. His accuracy and composure under pressure provided Mullinavat with a constant source of scores when they needed them most.
The opening exchanges were evenly contested. Knox opened the scoring with a free before David Barcoe levelled matters for Clara. Another Knox placed ball was answered by Chris Bolger, while Joe Connolly and Knox exchanged scores to leave the sides level at 0-3 apiece after seven minutes. Clara then edged ahead for the first time when Paul Cody struck a fine long-range point, the wind carrying the ball towards the target. Knox responded from a free before Clara moved two points clear with scores from Conor Cody and Joe Connolly.
Knox reduced the deficit from another placed ball in the 14th minute, and Mullinavat then began to find their range from play. Michael Malone and Padraic Gahan both pointed in quick succession to bring the sides level at 0-7 apiece. The closing ten minutes of the opening half belonged largely to Clara. Dara Glynn, despite being one of the smaller players on the field, was proving a constant handful for the much bigger Mullinavat defence and his clever movement caused problems throughout the opening period.
Glynn was instrumental in Clara winning a penalty in the 21st minute. Matt Kenny stepped up to take responsibility, but Mullinavat goalkeeper Sean Fitzpatrick produced an excellent save, getting down smartly to deny the Clara forward. Joe Connolly pointed from the resulting clearance to put Clara back in front, 0-8 to 0-7.
The northern side continued to make the most of their opportunities. Connolly was particularly accurate from placed balls, adding four further frees before half-time, while Paul Cody also got his name on the scoresheet. Mullinavat, meanwhile, were restricted to a single response from the ever-reliable Knox. At the break, Clara had established a useful five-point advantage. Half-time: Clara 0-13, Mullinavat 0-8.
Whatever was said in the Mullinavat dressing room at half-time certainly had the desired effect. Without making any personnel changes, the Vegas men emerged for the second half looking like a completely different side. Two quick points from Ian Duggan were followed by another Knox free and suddenly the gap had been reduced to just three points, 0-10 to 0-13.
Clara steadied themselves and a Connolly free restored some breathing space, but Knox immediately answered with an excellent score from play. Two further Connolly points, including one from play, restored Clara’s five-point advantage by the 40th minute. At that stage, it looked as though the northern side might hold on, but Mullinavat were about to produce their most impressive spell of the evening.
Knox struck two superb points from play in quick succession before adding another from a free. Mullinavat were now firmly in control and Clara were being forced deeper and deeper towards their own goal.
Then, in the 46th minute, came the decisive moment of the contest. Substitute Joe Gahan made a powerful burst through from the wing before showing excellent awareness to pick out Ger Malone. The pass found Malone in a good position and he made no mistake, finishing to the Clara net from close range.
The goal completely changed the complexion of the game. Mullinavat had gone from five points behind to firmly in the driving seat, and their confidence was now obvious. Further pointed frees were converted by Knox, while Tom Aylward added an excellent long-range score. Knox continued to torment the Clara defence and added another couple of points as Mullinavat opened up a commanding lead.
With the scoreboard reading 1-17 to 0-16 in favour of Mullinavat, Clara knew they needed a goal if they were to rescue the contest. To their credit, they did not give up.
The Clara players pushed forward in search of the breakthrough, but the Mullinavat defence remained disciplined and determined. Every attack was met with a committed challenge, and the Vegas men were not going to surrender the advantage they had worked so hard to establish. Joe Power converted a late free for Clara, while Mullinavat substitute John Walsh added another point to ensure there would be no late drama.
When the final whistle sounded, there was considerable relief among the Mullinavat players and supporters. They had produced a second-half performance of real character to overturn a five-point half-time deficit and, in the process, secured their senior status for 2027.
The victory also sees Mullinavat advance to meet Tullaroan in Round One of the knockout championships, giving them another opportunity to make an impression in the latter stages of the competition.
For Clara, meanwhile, the road ahead is considerably more difficult. Their first-round knockout encounter with Erins Own will double up as a relegation semi-final, meaning there is everything to play for. Despite this setback, Clara have shown enough during their five league games to suggest that they will be a difficult proposition for anybody. They have battled hard in every outing, and that fighting spirit was evident again on Saturday evening. Paul Cody, Joe Connolly and Rory Glynn were among their leading performers, while Dara Glynn’s lively first-half display caused Mullinavat plenty of problems.
For Mullinavat, however, the evening belonged to Oisin Knox. His remarkable 0-14 haul, combined with a tireless work-rate, made him the outstanding player on the field. Michael Malone, Padraic Gahan, Padraig Dempsey and Ian Duggan also deserve considerable credit for their contributions, particularly during the decisive closing stages. Mullinavat were five points behind at half-time and staring at a difficult final period of the championship. But they responded in exactly the manner required of a team determined to retain its senior status. Their second-half display was full of energy, accuracy and resolve, and ultimately it earned them a deserved five-point victory, and another year among Kilkenny’s senior hurling elite.
SCORERS
MULLINAVAT : Oisin Knox (0-14, 0-11 frees), Ger Malone (1-0), Michael Malone, Padraig Gahan, Ian Duggan, Tom Aylward (free, John Walsh (0-1 each).
CLARA: Joe Connolly (0-11, 0-7 frees), Paul Cody (0-2), David Barcoe, Chris Bolger, Conor Cody, Joe Power (free), (0-1 each)
TEAMS
MULLINAVAT : Sean Fitzpatrick, Bill Dempsey, Tom Aylward, Robin Davis, George O’Connor, Padraig Dempsey, Padraic Gahan, Michael Malone, Ian Duggan, Conor Walsh, Oisin Knox, Ger Malone, Conor Power, Brian Phelan, Liam Fennelly. Substitutes: Joe Gahan for George O’Connor, Adam Mansfield for Conor Power, John Walsh for Liam Fennelly, Conor Duggan for Brian Phelan.
CLARA: Kevin Nolan, Luke Lawlor, Matt Kenny, Joe Connolly, Harry Boyle, Shane Staunton, David Barcoe, Martin O’Connell, Jack Langton, Dara Glynn, Paul Cody, Conor Cody, Lester Ryan, Rory Glynn, Chris Bolger. Substitutes: Philip Carrigan for Joe Connolly, Ciaran Prendergast for Lester Ryan, Conor Hoyne for Harry Boyle.
Referee: Paul Cahill (Dunnamaggin).
