Photo Credit: Mary O’Donnell
By Jim Whelan
Thomastown provided the setting for an absorbing fifth and final-round clash in the 2026 JJ Kavanagh and Sons Premier Junior Hurling League when Graiguenamanagh and Piltown went head-to-head in a game where there was plenty at stake. With both sides having enjoyed impressive league campaigns, the equation was a simple one. A victory for either team would guarantee a place in the quarter-finals of the championship, adding an extra edge to what was already expected to be a highly competitive encounter.
Both teams had lost just one game in their league campaign, with John Lockes of Callan having proved their only stumbling block. There was, therefore, very little to separate the sides going into this final round fixture, and so it proved for long periods.
Graiguenamanagh settled quickest, with Mossy Ryan opening the scoring inside the first minute with a well-taken point. Piltown, however, soon found their rhythm and responded with three unanswered scores. Ronan Ryan, who was to have a major influence on proceedings, showed his accuracy from placed balls with two points, while Andrew Ryan also got his name on the scoresheet as the Piltown men moved three points clear.
Graiguenamanagh refused to allow their opponents to dictate the contest and gradually worked their way back into contention. Sean O’Grady and Steven Kinsella found the target to bring the Barrowsiders level, and the game was now beginning to take on the feel of the tight battle that many had anticipated.
The first major turning point arrived in the 11th minute when Piltown full-forward Billy O’Callaghan showed just why he is regarded as such a dangerous inside forward. The Piltown attack worked the ball into a threatening position and O’Callaghan made no mistake, unleashing a powerful shot which flew into the back of the Graiguenamanagh net. It was a major score and restored a three-point advantage for the far-south Kilkenny side.
Both teams possessed excellent dead-ball specialists and there was little between Ronan Ryan and Steven Kinsella in that department. The pair exchanged points as the first half developed, with neither side willing to surrender an inch.
Graiguenamanagh then produced one of their best passages of attacking hurling. Some excellent interplay involving their forwards created an opening and the ball eventually found its way to Michael Bolger. The Graig attacker kept his composure and duly obliged, raising the green flag to put Graiguenamanagh a point ahead. That score lifted the Barrowsiders and they began to enjoy their best spell of the opening half.
Steven Kinsella and Pierce Blanchfield added further points as Graiguenamanagh began to establish control, although Piltown remained dangerous and Ronan Ryan replied with another score to keep his side in touch. The momentum had clearly swung towards Graiguenamanagh and, from the 17th minute onwards, they outscored Piltown by 1-6 to 0-2.
The result was a four-point lead for Graiguenamanagh at the interval, with the scoreboard reading Graiguenamanagh 1-11, Piltown 1-7.
Piltown now faced a difficult second half, particularly with Graiguenamanagh looking increasingly confident, but they were handed an early setback when Michael Bolger opened the scoring after the resumption to stretch the Graig advantage to five points.
With county player Ivan Bolger moving to the edge of the square to help nullify the threat posed by the dangerous O’Callaghan, Graiguenamanagh appeared to be in a very strong position.
Piltown, however, had other ideas. The far-south side upped the tempo considerably and, with the aid of a strong breeze, began to eat into the Graiguenamanagh advantage. They showed admirable determination and refused to let the five-point deficit become an insurmountable obstacle. Ronan Ryan continued to lead the charge, while Niall O’Brien and Aron Kinsella also found the target as Piltown clawed their way back into contention.
Graiguenamanagh needed a score to halt the momentum and Steven Kinsella duly delivered with a point from play. It proved only a temporary reprieve. Ronan Ryan was now becoming increasingly influential and three unanswered points from the Piltown marksman brought the sides level at 1-15 apiece with just eight minutes remaining.
The momentum was now firmly with Piltown and Graiguenamanagh were forced onto the defensive. The decisive moment came in the 55th minute. Man of the match Ronan Ryan was involved once again and Piltown worked the ball superbly into a scoring position. Ryan finished the move in style, finding the Graiguenamanagh net with a well-worked goal that put Piltown firmly in command.
Graiguenamanagh threw everything they had at the Piltown defence during the closing minutes. Their forwards battled desperately to find a way through and reduce the deficit, but Piltown’s defence stood firm. When the final whistle sounded, Piltown had secured a deserved five-point victory on a scoreline of Piltown 2-18, Graiguenamanagh 1-16.
It was a result built on character and persistence. Having fallen five points behind early in the second half, Piltown never allowed the game to slip away and gradually turned the contest in their favour. They can now look forward to a place in the Junior League final, while Graiguenamanagh must regroup quickly with championship action already looming.
The Barrowsiders will face Galmoy in the first round of the championship on Sunday next at Palmerstown, with throw-in at 12 noon.
Piltown had several outstanding performers, but none more influential than Ronan Ryan. His accuracy from placed balls and contribution from play, coupled with his decisive late goal, made him the standout performer on the field. He received excellent support from Aron Kinsella and the powerful Billy O’Callaghan, whose first-half goal had initially put Piltown in a strong position.
For Graiguenamanagh, Ivan Bolger was prominent, while Steven Kinsella worked tirelessly throughout and Cian O’Shea also gave a strong account of himself.
Ultimately, though, Piltown’s second-half resilience proved decisive. In a game where the prize was a place in the knockout stages, they showed the greater composure when it mattered most and ensured that their impressive league campaign continues into the business end of the season.
TEAMS
Graiguenamanagh: Colin Bolger, Joe Dowling, James Meaney, Sean Walsh. Jack Browne, Ivan Bolger, Richard Foley, Cain O‘Shea, Mossy Ryan. Pierce Blanchfield, Jack Ryan, Steven Kinsella. Sean O Grady. Ted Dunne, Michael Bolger. Subs, Conor Houlihan, Terry Dreelan, Jack Dunne, Seamie Kavanagh
Piltown: James Norris. Nial O Brien, Darragh Walsh. Joe Cooney. Aran Kinsella, Henri Culleton, Robbie Tobin. Shane O’Dwyer, Andrew Tobin. Ronan Ryan. Kevin Walsh. D.J Knox. Cian Kinsella, Billy O’Callaghan, Martin Power. Subs. Eoin Reid
The Thomastown club are to be congratulated for the way they presented their playing field for Sunday’s game.
