Dicksboro and new kids Lisdowney face off in senior league opener - Kilkenny Live

Despite missing three influencial players on the full-forward line, goals didn't appear to be an issue for Dicksboro in their Group A opener of the St Canice's Credit Union Senior Hurling League, as they beat the hard working and newly promoted Lisdowney in the St Lachtains GAA grounds on Saturday afternoon.

Matty Kelleher, Shane Stapleton and Ollie Walsh (bench) were all unavailable to start, but were more than abely replaced by Patrick Lacey, James Carroll and Cillian Hackett, with a brace of Hackett goals and a netted Patrick Lacey finish key to the city side's victory.

The league opener was also Patrick Lacey's first competitive senior league/championship start, with a performance befitting of a more experienced player

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A tight opening 15 minutes (0-6 to 0-3 in favour of Dicksboro) widened dramatically as the game transpired, with the gap standing at ten points (2-16 to 0-12) by the 42nd minute.

However, Lisdowney more than played their part in the contest, with a steeliness and inability to give up on the result giving their supporters hope for future days to come. Late goals from Eibhan McEvoy and Luke Holohan put a gloss on the scoreboard having trailed 3-19 to 0-13 with ten minutes to play prior to the pair raising green flags.

The North Kilkenny team, who beat Young Irelands to secure their spot in the top grade for the first time since 2022, have been hit hard with players travelling abroad and injuries, with seven of last year's starting team unavailable for selection on Saturday.

One man who was available for selection though, was the impressive Brian Kavanagh (0-8,0-6f) who was the catalyst to many of the positive elements of his club's performance did get some joy, particularly on frees, against a Dicksboro defence that was nothing short of rock hard.

But, it was the city outfit who saw the game and can look forward to a date with Bennettsbridge in Clara next weekend.

As for Lisdowney, O'Loughlin Gaels await in Canon Kearns Park in the next round.

Full Match Report in this week's Kilkenny People...

Dicksboro - Darragh Holohan; Niall Rowe, Padraic Moylan, Mark Nolan; Eoin Fennelly, Cillian Buckley, Tom Kenny; Kevin Moore, Joe Sheehan; Timmy Clifford, Liam Moore, Tom McPhillips; Patrick Lacey, James Carroll, Cillian Hackett.

Lisdowney - Aidan Tallis; Lar Campion, Ben Tallis, Martin McEvoy; Michael Kenny, David O'Carroll, Richard McEvoy; Eoin Delaney, Willie Kenny; Charlie Brennan, Brian Kavanagh, Cathal Jordan; Luke Holohan, Niall Brennan, Eoin Kenny.

Referee - Conor Everard (Graigue Ballycallan)

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