Jimmy Walsh.
Photographs by Catherine Power.
The fifth and final round of the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Premier Junior Hurling League saw Windgap finish their league campaign on a winning note when they proved too strong for Slieverue at Mooncoin on Sunday.
The game had been scheduled for Mullinavat but was relocated at relatively short notice to Mooncoin, adding another twist to what was already an unusual afternoon. Slieverue, with their first-round championship meeting with neighbours Kilmacow already on the horizon, were forced into five changes to their starting line-up.
Windgap, meanwhile, went into the game with the prospect of facing sister club Galmoy in the opening round of the championship, although the eventual championship draw would throw up a different opponent following the weekend’s results.
There was never likely to be a huge attendance for this particular fixture, and that proved to be the case. The game clashed with Windgap Senior Camogie’s championship meeting with Clara, which had a throw-in two hours earlier in Clara, some 40 kilometres away and approximately 45 minutes’ travelling time from Mooncoin. Understandably, many Windgap supporters were elsewhere.
Mooncoin itself, however, was a hive of activity. The Polish community were marking the 20-year “China” anniversary of their chaplaincy in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, with Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan celebrating Mass in the Church of the Assumption filled to capacity, located conveniently beside the playing grounds.
On the field, conditions were excellent for hurling, although Windgap had to face into a strong breeze towards the Carrigeen end during the opening half. Slieverue suffered an early setback when Seán Freyne was forced to leave the field in only the second minute following what appeared to be a serious turning injury. Everyone connected with the club will wish Seán a speedy recovery. Windgap took advantage of the early uncertainty, with Billy Power, Adam O’Shea and James Power all finding the target to give them an early 0-3 to 0-0 advantage.
Adrian Rockett eventually got Slieverue off the mark, leaving Windgap three points clear after ten minutes. The sides then exchanged scores before Slieverue suffered another blow when Eoin Kenny picked up a heavy and restricting knock as two players challenged for possession. Despite the setbacks, Slieverue battled gamely and, with Jack Frisby moving back to centre-back, they worked hard to remain competitive.
Windgap gradually began to make the pressure tell, however, and by the 28th minute they had moved 0-9 to 0-4 ahead. The winners were finding the target more regularly, while Slieverue were left to rue a number of missed opportunities, registering four wides to Windgap’s one.
The decisive moment of the opening half arrived when a Billy Power effort for a point came back off the post. Windgap reacted quickest, and Power showed excellent awareness to set up Jack Doyle, who made no mistake in finishing to the net. It was a valuable score and gave Windgap the breathing space they needed. Two further unanswered points followed, with Kieran Connolly joining Adrian Rockett on the Slieverue scoresheet, but Windgap went into the interval firmly in control on 1-11 to 0-4.
Slieverue needed a strong start to the second half if they were to make a contest of it, but instead it was Windgap who came flying out of the traps. With the benefit of the strong breeze now behind them, Windgap rattled over four points in the opening two minutes to stretch their advantage to 1-15 to 0-4. The sides then exchanged four points as Slieverue attempted to stem the tide, but Windgap were now in complete control and playing with increasing confidence.
The second Windgap goal arrived in the 43rd minute when Jack Doyle got on the end of a puck-out and finished to the net. That score effectively ended any lingering hopes Slieverue had of mounting a comeback, leaving Windgap 2-16 to 0-6 in front.
To their credit, Slieverue continued to battle and Evan Cullen added a point to reward their efforts. Windgap, however, had plenty in reserve and manager and selectors were able to use the opportunity to run the bench and give valuable game time to their replacements.
Windgap continued to add to their tally as the closing stages unfolded and eventually ran out convincing winners on a scoreline of 2-25 to 0-7. The result, combined with the other final-round results, confirmed that Windgap would meet Cloneen in the opening round of the championship.
For Windgap, it was an ideal way to finish the league campaign, while their attention can now turn fully towards the knockout championship and the challenges that lie ahead.
For Slieverue manager Niall Walsh, however, it was another frustrating afternoon in what has been a difficult period. With championship action imminent, player safety was understandably a major consideration, particularly given the injuries sustained during Sunday’s game.
There was, nevertheless, one particularly welcome sight around the Mooncoin grounds. Among those in attendance was Slieverue and Kilkenny GAA stalwart Jim Walsh, now 91 years of age, who was accompanied by a large contingent of the club’s juvenile players.
On an afternoon when results and championship permutations dominated the conversation, the presence of one of Slieverue’s great servants, surrounded by the next generation of the club, provided a timely reminder that, beyond the scores and results, it is the people and the community that remain at the heart of GAA life.
TEAMS
Bearna na Gaoithe; Eoin O’Shea, Peter Landy, Willie Phelan, Sean Foley, Pat Grace, Séan Purcell 0-2, Darragh O’Shea, Killian Enright 0-3, Pat Power, Billy Power 0-6, 0-4 frees, James Power 0-5, Jack Doyle 2-2, Zak Kennedy 0-1, Adam O’Shea 0-1, Padraic Foley 0-2, Subs; Sean Barron 0-2, Jim Power Jnr, James Purcell, Ronan O’Brien, Cian O’Rourke.
Sliabh Rua: Shane Wall, Séan Freyne, Ian Ahearn, Olly Mullally, William Halpin, Callum Moore, Kieran Connolly 0-1, Evan Cullen 0-1, Pat Kennedy, Adrian Rockett 0-5, 0-4 frees, Martin Dowling, Jack Frisby, Fionn Howard, Eoin Kenny, Jack Knox Subs; Craig McGovern, Callum Cleary, David Irish, Niall Cullen, William Haberlin, Reece Murphy, Ben Alcock, Ruben Costolloe, Conor Wall, Cillian Power and Craig Phelan.
