Kilkenny IHL: Danesfort get a real ’Shock as Southerners earn deserving win

Carrickshock secured their first win in this year’s intermediate hurling league on Saturday evening, putting into a spirited showing against Danesfort in an entertaining and at times scrappy clash.

Carrickshock were economical with possession with man of the match Jake O’Dwyer (0-5) alongside Kevin Farrell and Eoghan O’Neill excelling in front of the posts with neat scores, clever runs and quality deliveries.

Danesfort weren’t without positives either, with Evan Srouji and Éanna Ó Casaide two note-worthy performers from the bench.

The teams were level five times with even second half goals from Eoin O’Neill and Jake Cullen for Carrickshock and Danesfort respectively doing little to separate the teams.

Colm Phelan, Anthony-Ireland Wall and Eanna Ó Casaide pointed the 2022 intermediate champions’ first three scores inside ten minutes, with Jake O’Dwyer responding in kind for Carrickshock.

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Danesfort maintained their two point lead by the 14th minute but four Carrickshock points in a row in as many minutes including a Kevin Farrell missile from inside his own 65 metre line edged Shane Lanigan’s team ahead for the first time.

Danesfort were never too far away and replied with two points of their own from Daire O’Neill and Cathal Kearney. Two further points apiece on the brink of half-time from Éanna Ó Casaide and Daire O’Neill were cancelled out by Jake O’Dwyer and Eoghan O’Neill leaving the teams deadlocked at 0-8 each at half-time.

In a game of such fine margins, goals were always going to be crucial and an Eoghan O’Neill rocket which flew past Jake Cullen into the net seven minutes into the half gave Carrickshock a 1-8 to 0-9 lead.

The goal would act as rocket fuel for last year’s relegation finalists as they converted three of the next four scores to edge 1-10 to 0-10 in front after 51 minutes.

But Danesfort’s waspish will to stay in the game drew them back once more as Evan Srouji slotted over a brace of frees, add to that a Des Dunne monster strike from his own half and the teams were tied again at 1-10 to 0-13.

The seesaw swung shortly afterwards as a heavily marked Jake Cullen fought off his markers to bat the ball to the net and give the ‘Fort the lead for the first time in the half at 1-13 to 1-11.

However, Danesfort would only score one point in the last nine minutes as Eoghan O’Neill turned on his radar to nail four frees, joining Jake O’Dwyer on the scoreboard in the closing few minutes to seal a deserved win.
TEAMS & SCORERS

Carrickshock - Eoghan O’Neill (1-9, 0-7 frees); Jake O’Dwyer (0-5); Kevin Farrell, Edward Dwyer (0-1 each).

Danesfort - Jake Cullen (1-0); Daire O’Neill (0-3), Evan Srouji (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 65); Éanna Ó Casaide, Anthony Ireland-Wall (0-2 each); Colm Phelan, Cathal O’Neill, Cathal Kearney (0-1 each); Ben Whitty (0-1 free).

Carrickshock - Jamie Power; Edward Dunphy, John Cahill, Sean Moore; Niall Tennyson, John Power, Padraig Lennon; Michael Murphy, James Grace; Aaron Roche, Kevin Farrell, Kieran Conway; Jake O’Dwyer.

Danesfort - Paddy Hogan; Darren Booth, Diarmaid Phelan, Cathal O’Neill; Des Dunne, Adam Byrne, Daire O’Neill; Cathal Kearney, Anthony-Ireland Wall; Ben Whitty, Paddy Hickey, Colm Phelan; Phillip Cooney, Robbie Walsh, Jake Cullen.

Referee - David Hughes (Barrow Rangers).