Kilkenny gaelic footballers secure surprising draw in Leinster Football League

Kilkenny and Carlow clashed at UPMC Nowlan Park in the South Leinster Minor League which saw Kilkenny enter a competitive minor football for the first time in a number of years. The end result saw Kilkenny gain an unprecedented draw but over the course of the 60 minutes Eoin Hennessy's charges would be a tad unlucky not to have gained the victory. 

Freddie Gibson & Jack Corcoran had gotten Carlow into an early lead before Darragh Lyon's got an understandably nervous Kilkenny minors on the board with a pointed free.

It what was at times a cagey affair the only other score of the half arrived when David Phelan sent a flying Harry Antonsea towards goal and the Graignamanagh dynamo duly sent the green flag waving.

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It left Kilkenny 1-1 to 0-3 ahead at the break. Carlow made a quadruple substitution as they clearly were not happy with the first half efforts. 

Lyon's tagged on a pointed free before Carlow retook the lead through Paltines Dylan Farrell who finished a short 45 from Curran to leave Carlow 1-5 to 1-3 ahead after 48 minutes play.

At that stage Carlow were full value for their lead but Kilkenny hit back when Walpole was taken down en route to goal. Up stepped Darragh O'Neill who slammed the ball to the roof of the net. Fiach Byrne levelled matters again with a fine point after neat play from Cormac McConnon.

Walpole again went raiding forward that saw Darragh Lyons hammer home Kilkenny's third goal with 52 odd minutes on the clock.

This game was really opening up and Daniel Brennan levelled it up again when he got through on goal thanks to a fine a side step. 

Lyons and Luke Byrne exchanged points before in the 64th minute it looked like a Carlow victory when Fiach Byrne popped over a 21.

Urged on by the home crowd who were making their voices heard at this stage, Darragh Horgan was fouled when a goal was maybe on. Lyons ensured a draw which sent many in the press box scurrying to find the last time Kilkenny at minor level had such a result.

Kilkenny had many performers but as one wise person said afterwards it was a collective performance inspired by a group of hardworking players backed by clubs from each corner of Kilkenny - representing the black and amber.

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