Kilkenny SFC: Mullinavat continue senior football dominance

Mullinavat clinched an eight Kilkenny Senior Football title, and seventh in the last nine years, with a ten-point victory over Mooncoin at sunny Glenmore on Friday evening.

This was a well contested contest, played in a very sporting manner, by two committed South Kilkenny sides, before a large crowd, on a lovely Spring evening at Pairc na Ratha.

Two spells of Mullinavat dominance either side of the interval proved decisive in this JJ Kavanagh sponsored contest.

The Vegas lads opened with an 0-4 to 0-0 lead with a duo of points from Michael Malone and Oisin Knox. Mooncoin, senior football league winners a few months ago, settled into the game, with a Seamus Kearns two pointer and a Padraic Murphy free.

The Mullinavat midfield Tom Aylward and Kearns exchanged points by the 12th minute (0-5 to 0-3). 

Conor Walsh and Oisin Knox extended the Vegas lead, before Paul Hennebrey pointed for Mooncoin on 22 minutes (0-7 to 0-5).

Mullinavat were now in the ascendancy however, and by the interval points by Oisin Knox and Michael Malone, along with a splendid team goal, finished by Conor Walsh, left Mullinavat seven points clear at the break (1-9 to 0-5).

The leaders made a blistering start to the new half with seven unanswered points, from six different scorers, in nine minutes, that ultimately sealed the 2025 Kilkenny Senior football championship. These scores were from Adam Mansfield, a Padraic Dempsey two pointer, Conor Duggan, Oisin Knox, Tom Aylward and Michael Malone (free).

To their credit Mooncoin remained committed and outscored Mullinavat 0-9 to 0-5 in the final twenty minutes with points from the impressive Adam Croke (0-5), Seamus Kearns (0-2) , Ryan Croke and Paul Hennebrey. It should also be noted that Mooncoin were minus a player for a second yellow card offence from the 42nd minute.

Mullinavat emptied their bench in the final quarter, where two pointed frees from Michael Malone, along with points from Padraig Dempsey, Oisin Knox and Jamie Davis, saw another county title go to the Rod Iron men.

This was yet another convincing team performance from Mullinavat, a team where several of their 28-man squad have featured in all seven recent successes. Players like Ger Malone, Tom Aylward, a colossus in midfield , Oisin Knox and Conor Walsh were star performers on this occasion.

Mooncoin have improved all year, league winners as already mentioned, and they had defeated Thomastown (2021 champions) and reigning champions Dicksboro to reach this final. Goalkeeper Ciaran Walsh, Paul Hennebry, Seamus Kearns and Adam Croke were amongst their star performers.

Credit to Glenmore GAA club for their excellent hosting this game and Mayo native referee Thiag Morley and his two linesmen for their implementation of the new rules.

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Mullinavat team: Jack Walsh (GK), Ian Mansfield, Joe Fennelly, Sean Fitzpatrick, Padraig Dempsey (0-3, 1x2point), Ger Malone, Padraic Gahan , Michael Malone (0-6, 3 frees), Thomas Aylward (0-2), Conor Walsh (1-1) , Adam Mansfield. (0-1), James Culleton (Captain), Oisín Knox (0-6), Brian Phelan, Conor Duggan (0-1).

Subs Used:  Ian Duggan, Peter McDonald, Simon Aylward, Jamie Davis (0-1), Fiachra Knox.

Mooncoin Team: Ciaran Walsh, Ryan Carroll, Aidan Doyle, Donnacha Hogan, Killian Hogan, Cormac Daly, Sean O’Dwyer, Paul Hennebry (0-2, 1 free), Ethan Ryan, Cormac Kinsella (captain), Sean Walsh, Stephen Crowley, Adam Croke (0-5, 4 frees), Seamus Kearns (0-5, 1 x 2point), Paraic Murphy (0-1, free).

Subs Used: Ryan Croke (0-1), Martin O’Neill.

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