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KILKENNY IHL - Inspired Mooney move concretes Conahy's future
THIS was a highly entertaining intermediate league contest in Clara when Conahy Shamrocks consolidate their status as they produced a storming comeback to overturn an eight point half-time deficit to run out victors over Blacks and Whites following a cracking hour's hurling.
Conahy Shamrocks 2-24
Blacks and Whites 4-12
Trailing by 0-9 to 3-8 at the interval, Georgie Leahy (Conahy manager) and his mentors made significant switches. One was the moving of Kieran Mooney to midfield while Denis Kelly retreated in the opposite direction to his more customary centre-back position.
Mooney was outstanding at centre-back but then he began to lord proceedings around midfield and turned in a hughely influential display. He scored 1-5 during the second-half and he also set up the all important goal for Declan Buggy in the 46th minute that completed the comeback, 1-16 to 3-9.
Conahy opened the scoring with an Alan Healy pointed free. Blacks and Whites took over with two rapid fire goals in the third and fourth minutes.
A terrific solo run by youngster John Lennon set up veteran Tommy Farrell for the opening goal before Lennon turned goal-scorer a minute later. He produced an emphatic finish following a terrific solo run by Peter Cleere (2-0 to 0-1).
Flying start
The Skeough men added to their flying start by shooting four unanswered points between the 7th and 13th minutes from Michael Maloney, John Lennon and Niall Kennedy (two frees), 2-4 to 0-2.
Conahy responded by out-scoring their opponents by 0-6 to 0-2 over the next 10 minutes, mainly due to the unerring accuracy from placed balls of Alan Healy (2-6 to 0-8).
However, last year's junior champions finished strongly as Tommy Farrell added a second goal in the 24th minute by flicking home from close range following Niall Kennedy's pinpoint delivery. Peter Cleere, with a great point, and Sean Kealy added to the losers account as they built up a commanding advantage at the interval.
Conahy though completely took over during the third quarter, out-scoring their opponents by 0-7 to 0-1 with Kieran Mooney leading the revival by adding three points (one 65), while Healy (two frees), Micheal Lawlor and Declan Buggy were also on target during that period to leave the score 3-9 to 0-16.
Declan Buggy's goal in the 46th minute gave Conahy the initative on the scoreboard before pushing themselves into the driving seat moments later when Kieran Brennan's long puck-out saw the hard-working Peter Vickery race through the opposing defence before laying off to Mooney, who applied an expert finishing touches. The score was now 2-16 to 3-9.
Punished slip
Both sides added two points before the losers to back into contention. Peter Cleere soloed through for a well taken goal and punished a defensive slip, 2-18 to 4-11.
Conahy though weathered the storm emphatically. They replied by shooting five unanswered points in a 150 second spell between the 54th and 57th minutes to seal victory.
Vickery with a great effort, Healy (free), Mooney, Healy and Gavin Nolan added points to kill off the losers. This was an important victory because it cemented Conahy's intermediate status.
Along with the inspiring Mooney, Declan Buggy pulled the strings at centre-forward for Conahy while Donal Brennan was superb at wing-back. Denis Kelly in the second-half, Micheal Lawlor and the free-taking of Alan Healy also proved important for the winners.
Best for the losers, who ran out of steam after a ferocious first half, were free taker Niall Kennedy, Peter Cleere, Tommy Farrell and Jimmy Lennon.
Scorers: Conahy Shamrocks - Alan Healy (0-9, eight frees); Kieran Mooney (1-6, point free, two 65s'); Declan Buggy (1-3); Micheal Lawlor (0-3); Gavin Nolan (0-2); Peter Vickery (0-1). Blacks and Whites - Niall Kennedy (0-7.all frees); Tommy Farrell (2-0); Peter Cleere, John Lennon (1-1 each); Michael Maloney (0-2, one free); Sean Kealy (0-1).
Conahy Shamrocks - Kieran Brennan, Seamus Og Brennan, David Healy, Tom Nolan, Ian Kavanagh, Kieran Mooney, Donal Brennan, Denis Kelly, Gary Kavanagh, Micheal Lawlor, Declan Buggy, Micheal Bergin, Gavin Nolan, Alan Healy (capt), Peter Vickery. Subs - Damien Webster, Paddy Mullen, Darren Leahy.
Blacks and Whites - John O'Grady, Michael Doyle, Paul Murphy, Charlie Ryan, Jimmy Lennon, Michael Maloney, Aidan O'Dowd, Padraig Joyce, Niall Kennedy, Sean Kealy (capt), Peter Cleere, Jason Foley, John Lennon, Michael Ryan, Tommy Farrell. Sub - James Brennan.
Referee - P. Hayes (Graigue-Ballycallan).
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Weather for Kilkenny
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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