Kilkenny SHL: Graigue Ballycallan and Mullinavat play out a thriller
Graigue Ballycallan 2-21 Mullinavat 3-18
Mullinavat and Graigue Ballycallan played out a St Canice's Credit Union Senior Hurling League draw for the second year in a row after a highly competitive clash at Dunnamaggin on Saturday afternoon.
Mulllinavat had what looked like a comfortable eight-point lead in the opening stages of the second half, but the Kilmanagh side kept battling and eventually got their reward with a series of late pointed frees.
Mullinavat made the early running and led 0-6 to 0-2 after 15 minutes. The Vegas keeper Sean Fitzpatrick had also made a fine save from GB county star Billy Ryan after seven minutes.
By the 20th minute GB were in front thanks to two frees from Sean Ryan, a fine Jeff Neary point from midfield, and then an Aaron McEvoy goal after a lay off from Colm Prenderville (1-5 to 0-6).
By the interval Mullinavat were two points ahead (1-10 to 1-8) thanks to late scores from Billy Ryan with a 100-metre free, a point from Brian Phelan and a goal direct from an Oisin Knox “65” in injury time.
Mulllinavat made a blistering start to the new half with an unanswered 1-3 in the opening five minutes. Two Oisin Knox scores, an Ian Duggan point, and a Knox free landed in the square, which was finished from close range by a touch from Brian Phelan (2-13 to 1-8).
To their credit big Conor Flynn caught a great ball shortly afterwards for GB and finished impressively to keep the contest alive.
Ian Duggan and Ger Malone replied with Mullinavat points from play to put the Vegas boys 2-15 to 2-8 clear by the 40th minute.
Graigue Ballycallan were not giving up the ghost and scores by Ryan Corcoran, a Sean Ryan goal and the same player a pointed free left just three in it with 17 minutes remaining.
By the finish Sean Ryan had added another five pointed frees, they outscored Mullinavat by 0-8 to 0-6 in this period, to earn a share of the spoils. When Conor Walsh pointed for Mullinavat with a 31st minute score it looked like a Vegas victory, but Billy Ryan had other ideas with a fine equalising point.
This was a very entertaining game, with both sides having spells of superiority. Impressive for Graigue Ballycallan were Jeff Neary, Billy Ryan, Sean Ryan and Conor Flynn in attack, the latter causing panic in the Vegas defence all afternoon.
For Mullinavat Tom Aylward, Robin Davis, Ian Duggan, Oisin Knox and Conor Walsh were amongst their top performers.
Graigue Ballycallan - Sean Ryan (1-10, 0-10 frees), Ryan Corcoran (0-3), Billy Ryan (0-3), Aaron
McEvoy (1-0), Conor Flynn (1-0), Jesse Roberts (0-1), Jeff Neary (0-1).
Mullinavat - Oisin Knox (1-8, 0-6 frees), Brian Phelan (1-1), Conor Walsh (0-3), Ian Duggan (0-3), Ger Malone (0-2), Michael Malone (0 1), Joe Gahan (0-1), Conor Duggan (0-1), John Walsh (0-1, free).
Read more club league/championship coverage in this week's Kilkenny People