WATCH: Cian Kenny fires over inspirational point in club win - Kilkenny IHL
Kilkenny and James Stephens player Cian Kenny scored a beauty in the club's win over Dunnamaggin
The Village (James Stephens) maintained their unbeaten run in Group A of the Michael Lyng Motors Intermediate Hurling League, putting in a strong second half showing to beat Dunnamaggin 3-29 to 2-15.
A key contributor to the victory was centre-back Cian Kenny, who has made the role his own. But, for all his defensive attributes, his eye for a score is by no means weakened in defence. - WATCH BELOW
If you were simply to take the scoreboard in its own right, you would be forgiven for thinking it was a stroll in the park for the Village, which in part is true, but at half-time not one supporter in John Locke Park was thinking down those lines.
The opening exchanges were tight with both free takers on song. Denis Walsh of Dunnamaggin and Tadhg O'Dwyer of James Stephens who returned to the starting team.
By the fifth minute the Village led by 0-5 to 0-3 in a match played at a quick pace.
But, the Dunnamaggin faithful, who were in a celebratory mood with their junior hurlers in county final action later that day, had reason to cheer on the 15th minute as Joe Fitzpatrick took advantage of a Sean Manogue mistake in the Village goal to net (1-3 to 0-5).
There was never more than two between them for the remainder of the half, with every score feeling precious. But, the beginning of the Village take over was to come on the brink of half-time.
A crisp pass from Tadhg O Dwyer found Ed Lauhoff who fired to the net to put the city club in front 1-9 to 1-6 and ultimately a 1-11 to 1-8 at half-time.
Cian Kenny Score
The second goal of the contest arrived courtesy of Tadhg O Dywer on the 50th minute all but ending the game as a contest (2-15 to 1-10). A position Eoin Larkin’s team built on with their starting six forwards along with the introductions Eoin Guilfoyle and Stephen Manogue no doubt giving other intermediate teams reason to fear in the weeks to come.
With eight minutes to play it was 3-23 to 1-13 in favour of the men in red and green with another rocket of a goal from Luke Scanlon.
Dunnamaggin to their credit battled to the finish and a goal from a Denis Walsh free game their supporters some reason to smile but James Stephens never appeared to be in any danger and saw out the win.
Full Match Report in this week's Kilkenny People...