Kilkenny SHL: 'Plenty to work on' for Mullinavat and Erins Own after league opener

Mullinavat were convincing eight-point winners over Erins Own in this first round senior league contest at Danesfort on Saturday afternoon.

This was the seventh meeting of the clubs in the Senior Hurling League since 2016, with two Erins Own wins (2017, 2022), two Mullinavat victories (2021, 2022) and two draws (2016, 2020) in previous years. Another close encounter was expected here.

On this occasion Mullinavat took control in the second quarter of the game, with eight unanswered points, and never relinquished their authority thereafter.

FYI: What we know after the first round of the Kilkenny senior hurling league

On reflection, with be looking to improve and have been left with plenty to work on, as this contest had more than thirty wides.

Mullinavat opened the scoring with points from Oisin Knox and Ger Malone. Jack Dowd got Comer off the mark, this replied to with two further Mullinavat scores from Adam Mansfield and a Ger Malone sideline cut (0-4 to 0-1). Dowd from midfield and a Jack Buggy free reduced the margin to one, before Oisin Knox replied from a “65” on 15 minutes.

Castlecomer had their best spell of the afternoon over the next five minutes, with a point from midfielder Conor McMahon, a follow up goal from 20 yards after a rebound by John Dowd, and a James Coogan point. They now led 1-5 to 0-5 despite playing against a slight summer breeze Mullinavat now showed their dogged qualities and by the interval tacked on an unanswered sequence of eight scores. Scorer in chief Oisin Knox recorded five of these (three frees), the lively Adam Mansfield two, and Conor Walsh the other scorer.

At half time Mullinavat led 0-13 to 1-5.

Ger Malone opened the scoring in the new half with a ‘Vegas’ point, replied to by Chris Korff. Mullinavat added four further unanswered scores in the next six minutes to end any hopes of an Erins Own revival.

An Oisin Knox free, a fine points from the wing by substitute Conor Duggan and a goal by Knox from play, along with
another pointed free from the same player (1-17 to 1-6).

To their credit Comer battled well in the final quarter, outscoring their opponents 1-7 to 0-7, as players like Conor Delaney and John Dowd made life difficult for the Vegas defence, the latter getting his second goal of the afternoon.

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

Mullinavat - Oisin Knox (1-13; 7 frees, 1 “65”), Adam Mansfield (0-4), Ger Malone (0-3, 1
sideline), Conor Walsh, Conor Duggan, Ian Duggan, CJ Fitzpatrick free (0-1
each).

Erins Own - John Dowd (2-2), Jack Buggy (0-3, frees), James Coogan (0-2), Eoin Brennan (0-
2), Conor McMahon, Chris Korff, Shane Coogan, Dan Coogan (0-1 each).

Referee - Peter Burke (Emeralds) 

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