Tullogher Rosbercon 1-26; Carrickshock 1-24. (aet)
John Power at Mullinavat GAA Grounds.
Tullogher Rosbercon advanced in the MLM Motors Hyundai Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship in the most dramatic fashion when they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Carrickshock at the Mullinavat GAA Grounds on Saturday afternoon last.
This was a magnificent championship contest which had everything a knockout game should have, with both sides giving their all right to the final whistle. For long periods there was little between the teams, and it was Tullogher Rosbercon who eventually emerged victorious after extra time.
Carrickshock appeared to have done enough to secure victory when they led by three points in the opening minutes of added time at the end of extra time. However, Tullogher Rosbercon produced one final attack which ultimately decided the contest.
The drama had already been high before extra time was required. With Tullogher Rosbercon three points clear in the first minutes of added time in normal time, Carrickshock were handed a lifeline when Conor Farrell found the net from a free. The goal levelled the contest and sent the game into extra time.
Both teams continued to trade scores during the additional period, with Carrickshock eventually appearing to land the decisive blow. Their 42-year-old veteran substitute Michael Rice stepped forward and struck a point during the added extra period to put Carrickshock 1-24 (27) to 0-26 ahead.
With the clock running down, Carrickshock looked to have finally secured their place in the next round. But Tullogher Rosbercon had one last opportunity. Just like Carrickshock, they had a hugely experienced veteran capable of producing something special. In the third minute of added time, Pat Hartley launched a high delivery into the Carrickshock goalmouth. Danny Glennon collected the breaking ball, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly tapped the sliotar into the net.
Pandemonium followed as the Tullogher Rosbercon players and supporters celebrated a remarkable escape, while Carrickshock were left to reflect on a cruel defeat. The game had been finely balanced from the opening exchanges. Carrickshock made a promising start and remained in contention throughout the opening half, but Tullogher Rosbercon finished strongly. Coming up to half time, they produced a superb sequence of six unanswered points.
Danny Glennon opened the scoring sequence from a free before Jamie Lyng added a point from play. Colman O’Sullivan followed with another score, before Walter Walsh converted a free. Lar Murphy then got on the scoresheet, with Jamie Lyng completing the impressive run of scores. Six points without reply saw Tullogher Rosbercon move into a 0-12 to 0-9 lead at the interval.
Carrickshock, however, were not going to be shaken off. Conor Farrell was outstanding throughout and continued to keep the Carrickshock scoreboard moving with some excellent free-taking. He landed scores either side of half time to reduce the deficit to a single point. Danny Glennon responded with another free to restore a two-point advantage for Tullogher Rosbercon, but Farrell again showed his accuracy from placed balls, converting two further frees.
Four minutes into the second half the sides were level at 0-13 each. From there, the game developed into a real arm wrestle. Neither side could establish a decisive advantage and every score was hard earned. There were some excellent individual battles across the field as both teams fought for possession and attempted to gain control. Tullogher Rosbercon did manage to move four points clear, leading 0-19 to 0-15 with less than ten minutes remaining. It looked a significant advantage at that stage, but Carrickshock remained within striking distance.
Tullogher Rosbercon had an opportunity to increase their lead when Jamie Lyng, who otherwise enjoyed an excellent afternoon, found himself with a chance in front of goal. His effort failed to find the target. It proved to be a costly miss. Had Tullogher Rosbercon converted the opportunity, the game may well have been settled before extra time. Instead, Carrickshock remained in contention and continued to press for an opening.
Their persistence eventually paid off when Farrell’s late free found the net, bringing the sides level and forcing the additional period. Extra time followed the same pattern, with both teams battling through tired legs and refusing to concede ground. Carrickshock appeared to have edged ahead at the crucial moment when Rice struck his point, but Tullogher Rosbercon responded with that remarkable last-gasp attack.
For Tullogher Rosbercon, there were several outstanding performances. Lar Murphy, Pat Hartley, Jamie Lyng, Danny Glennon, Andrew Murphy and Walter Walsh all made important contributions, while Glennon’s composure for the winning goal will undoubtedly be remembered.
Carrickshock can take considerable encouragement from their performance despite the disappointment of defeat. The club has made significant progress during 2026, with a number of last year’s minor players now making the transition into adult hurling. They showed considerable promise against an experienced Tullogher Rosbercon side and the experience gained from Saturday’s contest should stand to them in the future. Conor Farrell was exceptional for Carrickshock, contributing 1-14 from general play and placed balls. His free taking kept his side in the contest for long periods and his late goal forced extra time. Padraig Lennon, Mikey Rohan and Eoghan O’Neill also impressed, while veteran substitute Michael Rice showed the value of experience when he struck what looked like the winning point deep into extra time.
Ultimately, though, this was Tullogher Rosbercon’s day. They had led, been pegged back, appeared to have lost their advantage and then produced one final attack when defeat seemed almost certain. Hartley’s high delivery gave Glennon the opportunity, and the Tullogher forward showed tremendous composure to finish the chance. It was a sensational ending to an excellent championship contest.
Carrickshock will rue the missed opportunities and the manner of their late defeat, but they can be proud of a performance which demonstrated the progress being made by the club.
For Tullogher Rosbercon, the reward is a place in the next round of the Intermediate Championship. They will know there is room for improvement, but few will worry about that on the journey home after escaping from such a dramatic encounter.
It was knockout hurling at its most compelling, with both sides refusing to surrender and the result remaining in doubt until the very end. Tullogher Rosbercon march on, while Carrickshock bow out after producing a performance which suggests that better days lie ahead.
SCORERS
TULLOGHER ROSBERCON: Danny Glennon (1-7, 0-3 frees), Andrew Murphy (0-6, 0-3 frees), Walter Walsh (0-5, 0-4 frees), Jamie Lyng (0-4), Colman O’Sullivan, Lar Murphy, Marty Murphy, Sean Hanrahan (0-1 each).
CARRICKSHOCK: Conor Farrell (1-14, 1-12 frees), Jake O’Dwyer (0-2), Eoghan O’Neill (0-2), Michael Murphy, Mikey Rohan, Padraig Lennon, Brian Donovan, Eanna Martin, Michael Rice (0-1 each).
TEAMS
TULLOGHER ROSBERCON: Davy Walsh, Eoin Kennedy, Pat Hartley, Sean Murray, Anthony O’Connor, Lar Murphy, JJ Ryan, Jamie Lyng, Conor Hennessy, Walter Walsh, Danny Glennon, Colman O’Sullivan. Andrew Murphy, Marty Murphy, Sean Hanrahan. Substitutes. Michael Sidney for Hennessy, Ciaran Cummins for Anthony O’Connor, Conor Hennessy for Sean Hanrahan,
CARRICKSHOCK: Jamie Power, Eddie Donnelly, Padraig Lennon, John Cahill, Sean Moore, Mikey Rohan, Matthew Murphy, Michael Murphy, Jake O’Dwyer, Conor Farrell, Eoin Crowley, Brian Donavan, Eoghan O’Neill, Adam Franks, Barry Lennon. Substitutes John Power for Barry Lennon, Darragh Brennan for Eoin Crowley, Michael Rice for Adam Franks, Eanna Martin for Michael Murphy.
Referee: Eoin Hayes.
