‘Bridge, ‘Boro & Erin’s Own advance to QF’s as Clara, GBC and Glenmore bow out
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League & Championship
The club hurling picture became a little clearer following last weekend’s action, which saw League matters concluded and the first round of championship action completed. Current county champions, O’Loughlin Gaels powered past Tullaroan to claim the league title, running out 15-point winners in the second game of the double-header played at UPMC Nowlan Park. The curtain raiser which was contested between Thomastown and Mullinavat saw the latter crowned Shield winners, a magnificent result for the Vegas Boys.
For many, the final instalment of weekends’ action saw a clash of two giants on Noreside, James Stephens and Shamrocks Ballyhale. Somewhat surprisingly, this was a relegation semi-final as both sides have struggled for form and the ability to get their first choice XV on the pitch during the league campaign.
A big crowd made their way to John Locke Park in Callan for the relegation battle, and they were treated to an entertaining contest with some decent scores and plenty of effort from both sides. The encounter was close for long periods, but Shamrocks greater quality on the pitch made the difference as Jimmy Meagher’s charges had nine points to spare at the long whistle.
Brian Cody’s outfit opened the scoring in the second minute, courtesy of a free from Cian Kenny after the county star had been fouled by Darragh Corcoran. They doubled their lead less than a minute later when Luke Scanlon split the posts from way out the pitch. Shamrocks got off the mark from the restart, when the ball was worked to Killian Corcoran who had peeled off into space and sent over a fine score. Village number 10, Ross Whelan then fired over before Niall Shortall collected the ball, turned and rifled over a cracking point. Eoin Cody, who was back in the starting line-up then combined some hard work with a touch of his class to notch a lovely score to level matters on 6 minutes.
Niall Shortall who was looking lively in the early exchanges, then gave a pass to John Fitzpatrick who pointed to give the South Kilkenny side lead for the first time. The lead was short lived, as Cian Kenny scored from a placed ball after Evan Shefflin had halted Luke Scanlon illegally. The game’s first major was then registered with eight minutes gone. Another returnee, TJ Reid took a trademark catch and headed for goal. As the veteran county legend powered forward, he popped a pass to Adrian Mullen who stepped inside before rifling the sliotar past Gavin Costigan in The Village goal. Shamrocks then built on the major with the next score, a sweet effort from Niall Shortall way out on the left, who was picked out superbly by Paddy Mullen’s long pass. Cody’s men responded with a quality score from Ed McDermott who beat Joey Holden before splitting the posts.
Eoin Cody then registered his second point of the game from the left-hand side, before another placed ball effort from Cian Kenny reduced the deficit to three points. Killian Corcoran then found Paddy Mullen in space on halfway, and the latter struck over a booming point for his first of the afternoon. The impressive Ed McDermott then notched another quality score, from a tight angle out on the left, having shaken off the attention of his marker once more. A brace of successful placed balls from Cian Kenny saw the Shamrocks lead cut to the bare minimum, but TJ Reid replied with a free of his own, having been fouled by Niall Mullins.
The ever-threatening Eoin Cody then collected the ball close to the endline and used his pace and movement to create a kinder angle before dispatching his effort between The Village posts. The accurate Cian Kenny then added to his growing tally with another free, after referee Gavin Quilty decided that Brian Butler had taken about ten steps to many as he made his way out of defence! Adrian Mullen then set up TJ for another quality score from play to push the Shamrocks lead back out to three points with the same amount of time remaining in the first half. Brian Cody was then forced to make a change, when their most lively forward, Ed McDermott was replaced by Eoin Guilfoyle, after appearing to catch his studs in the grass.
Evan Shefflin then lost his latest tussle with Luke Scanlon, who drew the foul, which allowed Cian Kenny to notch another point. Then came the second of Shamrocks four majors. Eoin Cody picked out Adrian Mullen whose shot struck the post, but thankfully for his side, TJ was alert as ever and he collected the ball before firing to the net. A big score, and a psychological blow to James Stephens. To their credit, The City side finished the half strongly, with that man Kenny, sending over another brace of placed balls to reduce the Shamrocks lead to three points at the short whistle.
The Village began the second period, much like the first, registering the first score, another free from Cian Kenny, but the classy Adrian Mullen hit back for Shamrocks having been set up nicely by TJ. No doubt that Brian Cody would have spoken about ensuring no further goals being conceded during his halftime talk, but unfortunately for his side, a third green flag was soon being raised in John Locke Park. Richie Reid collected the ball out on the right sideline and launched it forward in the direction of Eoin Cody. Diarmuid Cody in his eagerness to avert danger, left his namesake to try and nick the ball, but dropped his hurl and ended up trying to collect the sliotar with his hand. Unfortunately for The Village full back, the ball evaded him and was pounced on by Eoin. The former two-time young hurler of the year, showed class and composure to fire past the diving Gavin Costigan.
Eoin Guilfoyle was then crudely halted in his tracks, which resulted in a yellow card for Shamrocks captain, Evan Shefflin. Again, Cian Kenny fired over and he also got the next score after the bustling Luke Scanlon was caught high by Joey Holden. How The Village could have done with a goal of their own to test the mettle of their opponents, and that’s what happened next. Dean Mason’s attempted clearance was blocked down by Sean Manogue, and a scramble ensued close to the Shamrocks goal. The nippy Eoin Guilfoyle collected the sliotar and made his way into space before unleashing an unstoppable shot, to leave just one point between the sides with about twenty minutes left to play in Callan.
When your radar’s in, it’s in and Cian Kenny confirmed this when he split the Shamrocks posts from deep inside his own half to deadlock matters to the delight of the James Stephens supporters in attendance. Shamrocks Ballyhale, importantly for them, got the next score, a classy point from Adrian Mullen who caught Mason’s puck out before dispatching his effort between The Village posts. Joey Holden, who was having his biggest test since returning to these shores was then beaten to the ball by the impressive Guilfoyle who rifled over from a tight angle.
With the game seemingly in the melting pot, Shamrocks struck the final major of the relegation clash. Niall Shortall showed a great turn of pace to leave his marker in his wake. as he got close to goal, he was bundled to the ground by a combination of Larry Cody and Mikey Byrne, stonewall penalty. Up stepped TJ, he struck his effort hard and low, but Village netminder Costigan was equal to it and managed to block the effort, however Paddy Mullen reacted quickest and batted the ball across the goal where TJ applied the finishing touch. If at first you don’t succeed….
This three-pointer appeared to be a shot in the arm of the Shamrocks players, as they turned the screw on their opponents for the remainder of the game. Eoin Cody, Paddy Mullen (2) and a brace from TJ saw Jimmy Meagher’s men finish strongly. Paddy’s brace were both booming efforts from distance, but the final Shamrocks score of the game from Liam Barron was one of the best of the day. The sub picked up the ball close to the right sideline before firing over off his left side for a terrific point to cap a much better performance from Shamrocks Ballyhale. Final score, Shamrocks Ballyhale 4-19, James Stephens 1-19.
