Thomastown 1-24; Mulllinavat 1-15.
John Power at Ballyhale GAA Grounds.
Thomastown once again proved too strong for Mullinavat in the second-round St Canices Credit Union Senior Hurling League/ Championship clash at Ballyhale on Saturday. The winners had also got the better of Mullinavat in the 2024 championship semi final and in last year’s league clash.
While the contest was competitive in the opening half, once the Town converted a 34th minute penalty they always looked likely winners against a very game Mullinavat side. The Vegas boys did not record a score from play in the closing 20 minutes, something that was to prove crucial in the closing stages.
Robbie Donnelly, a player who would finish on 1-10, opened the scoring for Thomastown early on. The Vegas lads settled well however with three points coming from Padraic Gahan (2) and a Conor Power score. Thomastown replied with a similar sequence from Robbie Donnelly, Jack Holden, and Stephen Donnelly, to move 0-4 to 0-3 ahead.
Oisin Knox equalised for Vegas on 13 minutes, before Robbie Donnelly (T) from a free and Ger Malone exchanged scores. Another Robbie Donnelly free was replied to by a Michael Malone (M) point, to leave it 0-6 each in the twentieth minute. Scores from Jack Holden and another Donnelly free put Thomastown two points clear, although the margin was reduced by a Conor Walsh score in the 23rd minute
John and Robbie Donnelly points put Town three clear, before Michael Malone(M) reduced the margin, 0-8 to 0-10. Jack Holden, an All-Ireland doubles winner at 60 x 30 handball the previous week, and an excellent Luke Connellan score from the wing left Town 0-12 to 0-8 clear in the 27th minute. Oisin Knox and Conor Power with Mullinavat points, reduced the deficit, before Daithi Barron (T) closed out the first half scoring. Half Time: Thomastown 0-13; Mullinavat 0-10.
Michael Malone opened the second half scoring with a Vegas point, but the next minute or so changed the games momentum. Firstly, a fine John Donnelly point and a minute later Thomastown won a penalty when Daithi Barron was fouled heading goalwards. Robbie Donnelly calmly converted the resulting penalty, and now, for the first time, a real gap had appeared between the sides, 1-14 to 0-11.
Conor Power pulled a point back for Vegas, in what turned out to be his sides last score from play. Three consecutive scores from a Robbie Donnelly free, Jack Holden and Ben Nevin stretched Thomastown’s lead. Town were now 1-17 to 0-12 clear in the 40th minute.
A 42nd minute Oisin Knox pointed free was replied to by an excellent score from Daithi Barron soon afterwards. Mullinavat did have a brief spell of dominance before the 50th minute with two Oisin Knox frees along with Vegas recording a couple of poor wides in the same period.
Thomastown took control again however with points from Stephen Donnelly, Robbie Donnelly (2), Peter McDonald, and Luke Connellan to move 1-23 to 0-15 clear as the game neared its end. In the same period both sides were reduced to fourteen men when John Walsh (M) received a straight red card along with a double yellow card for Brian Staunton.
Mullinavat did get a consolation goal before the finish when Ger Malone was fouled close to goal and defender Tom Aylward put away the resulting penalty.
This was just a consolation score, however. Ned Kirwan closed out the scoring for Thomastown, who appeared deserving nine-point victors, 1-24 to 1-15.
Thomastown have now recorded two convincing victories, and with the likes of John and Robbie Donnelly back to 2024 title winning form, will be a match for anyone looking towards Tom Walsh Cup success in 2026
Mullinavat will be anxious to record a first win when meeting unbeaten Graigue Ballycallan in round three on Sunday next.
SCORERS
THOMASTOWN: Robbie Donnelly (1-10, 1-0 penalty, 0-7 frees), Jack Holden (0-3), Stephen Donnelly (0-3), John Donnelly (0-2), Luke Connellan (0-2), Daithi Barron, Ben Nevin, Peter McDonald, Ned Kirwan (0-1 each).
MULLINAVAT: Oisin Knox (0-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 “65”), Conor Power (0-3), Michael Malone (0-3), Tom Aylward (1-0, penalty), Padraic Gahan (0-2), Ger Malone, Conor Walsh (0-1 each).
TEAMS
THOMASTOWN: Diarmuid Galway, Ned Kirwan, Peter Connellan, Rory Connellan, Brian Staunton, Eddie Donnelly, David Prendergast, Ben Nevin, Peter McDonald, John Donnelly, Robbie Donnelly, Luke Connellan, Daithi Barton, Jack Holden, Stephen Donnelly. Substitutes: Conor Barcloe for Ben Nevin, Cian Doherty for Jack Holden, Oisin O’Reilly for David Prendergast, Ronan Connolly for Stephen Doherty, Cian Farrell for Peter McDonald.
MULLINAVAT: Seán Fitzpatrick, Eoin Dempsey, Tom Aylward, Robin Davis, George O’Connor, Pádraig Dempsey, Padraic Gahan, Michael Malone, Joe Gahan, Conor Walsh, Ger Malone, Brian Phelan, Conor Power, Oisín Knox, Liam Fennelly. Substitutes: Bill Dempsey for Eoin Dempsey, Adam Mansfield for Liam Fennelly, John Walsh for Oisin Knox. Conor Duggan for Joe Gahan
Referee: Gavin Quilty (Slieverue).
