Kilkenny GAA: James Stephens beat city rivals O'Loughlin Gaels in tight affair

In their final group fixture, the James Stephens senior footballers survived a tight contest to retain their unbeaten run and book their place in the championship quarter finals with a narrow victory over neighbours O'Loughlin Gaels in Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan on Saturday.

A sluggish start by The Village allowed O'Loughlins break through for a goal in the 4th minute followed by a point before Fionn Cody opened the scoring for the home side with a well taken single score in the 7th minute.

With hard running and tight marking the order of the day by both teams scores were hard earned as 'The Gaels continued to hold the lead at 1-3 to 0-2 at the 21st minute.

A late surge by The Village men over the final three minutes of the half saw Fionn Cody, Ross Whelan and substitute Niall Delaney register points to narrow the divide at 1-3 to 0-5 at the break.

On the turnover a driving solo run through the 'Gaels defence in the 3rd minute by centre back Niall Mullins was rewarded with a point. Then a deflection to the net by Fionn Cody from a Tadhg O'Dwyer long delivery in the 7th minute turned the tables to give the home side a 1-6 to 1-3 lead.

Two minutes later Oisin Bateman kicked over a quality single score but the pendulum swung again in O'Loughlins favour in the 15th minute when following a number of accurate passes they finished to the net to regain the lead at 2-5 to 1-7.

Demanding a strong response to save the game defenders David Hennessy, Luke Murphy, Sam McEvoy, Oisin Bateman, Niall Mullins along with Eoin Deely Dinny Stapleton and Tadhg O'Dwyer rose to the occasion turning over possession and winning frees over the final ten minutes for the in-form Fionn Cody to convert into three scores.

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