By John Power
JJ Kavanagh and Sons Kilkenny GAA Junior F League Round One
Mullinavat 3-17; James Stephens 1-09.
Mullinavat GAA got their Junior F League campaign off to a strong start with an impressive victory over James Stephens GAA and Camogie Club in Round One of the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Official Kilkenny GAA Junior F League on May 10th. Played in bright early morning conditions at the James Stephens grounds, Mullinavat produced a confident and disciplined performance to record a deserved 3-17 to 1-09 win.
From the opening whistle, Mullinavat settled quickly and showed sharp attacking form, taking scores from play and making the most of their goal opportunities. Their work rate around the middle of the field and solid defending limited the home side’s chances throughout the contest. James Stephens battled hard and managed to raise a green flag and several good points, but Mullinavat maintained control for most of the game and continued to add scores at important stages.
The victory gives Mullinavat an encouraging start to the league campaign and provides plenty of positives for the team management ahead of the upcoming rounds. An excellent team effort, combined with strong finishing in front of goal, ensured Mullinavat left the city venue with a well-earned opening round win.
Mullinavat team: Declan Duggan, Killian Dungan, Tommy Lannigan, Jamie Dempsey, Louis Madigan, Daniel Walsh, James Dalton, Jake Morrissey, Stephen O’Shea, Luke Byrne Doyle, Pat Mulhearn, Billy Dempsey, Jack Power, Jack Byrne Doyle, John Reade. Substitutes: Michael Johnson for Billy Delahunty, Kevin Roche for Jack Power, Kieran Holden for Killian Dungan, Tadhg Knox for Pat Mulhearn, Darragh Tynan for Jack Byrne Doyle.
JJ Kavanagh and Sons Junior A League Round One
Carrickshock Gaa 1-16; Mullinavat 1-12.
A four-point loss for the Vegas lads in this deferred Junior A Round One contest played on Thursday, May 14th. Despite a determined effort throughout the game, Mullinavat were unable to match the sharper attacking play of a strong Carrickshock side and eventually fell short on the scoreboard.
Mullinavat made a solid start and worked hard around the middle third, showing plenty of commitment and discipline in defence. At the halftime whistle they trailed by just three points, with Carrickshock holding a 0-7 to 0-4 advantage. The game remained competitive for long periods, and the Vegas lads continued to battle hard after the restart in an effort to close the gap.
However, a lack of cutting edge in attack proved costly on the evening. While chances were created, Mullinavat struggled to convert enough scores to put sustained pressure on their opponents. Carrickshock, by contrast, were more clinical in front of goal and used possession effectively to keep themselves in control during the second half. To their credit, Mullinavat never gave up and continued to work tirelessly until the final whistle, but on the night, they were second best against a more efficient Carrickshock outfit.
Mullinavat team: James O’Keeffe, Donnchadh Ealsh, Eoin Dempsey, Ian Mansfield, Darragh Davis, Simon Aylward, Michael Catt, Conor Duggan, Patrick Walshe, Daniel Walsh, Fiachra Knox, CJ Fitzpatrick, Martin Davis, Jack Byrne Doyle, Louis Nadigan. Substitutes: Mark McNamara for Patrick Walsh (blood sub) Mark McNamara for Jack Byrne Doyle (half time).
St Canices Credit Union Byrne Cup Senior Hurling.
Thomastown 2-21; Mullinavat 2-18.
Thomastown edged past Mullinavat in an entertaining Byrne Cup senior hurling clash played at Mullinavat on Sunday morning, May 17th. In a game that ebbed and flowed throughout, the visitors produced a strong second-half display to overturn a narrow halftime deficit and claim victory by three points.
Played in good conditions, the contest started at a lively pace with both sides showing a willingness to attack. Mullinavat settled quickly and looked sharp in front of goal during the opening half. The home side’s work rate and direct running caused problems for the Thomastown defence, and they were rewarded with two well-taken goals from Ger Malone and Conor Walsh. Those scores helped Mullinavat establish a slight edge on the scoreboard during an evenly contested opening period.
Thomastown, however, remained firmly in touch throughout the first half and responded with some fine scores of their own. Eanna O’Keeffe struck for an important goal for the visitors, ensuring the deficit remained manageable as the sides exchanged points in a competitive encounter. At the halftime whistle Mullinavat held a slender advantage, leading by 2-12 to 1-13 after an impressive opening 30 minutes.
The visitors emerged with renewed energy after the break and quickly began to turn the momentum in their favour. Thomastown tightened up defensively and started to gain more control around midfield, allowing them to build sustained pressure on the Mullinavat backline. A series of well-worked points saw them erase the halftime deficit early in the second half before they pushed ahead.
A key moment arrived when former inter-county player Zak Bay Hammond found the net for Thomastown with a well-taken second-half goal. That major score gave the visitors a significant boost and forced Mullinavat to chase the game during the closing stages.
To their credit, the Vegas lads continued to battle hard and remained within touching distance entering the final minutes. However, Thomastown managed the closing stages well, picking off important scores and limiting Mullinavat’s opportunities as they secured a hard-earned three-point victory.
While disappointed with the result, Mullinavat will take positives from many aspects of their first-half performance and the attacking threat they carried throughout the contest.
The Vegas lads now turn their attention to their fourth game in the Byrne Cup competition, where they travel to take on Dicksboro Friday night 22nd May. Throw-in is scheduled for 7.30pm.
