Kilkenny Junior A Final: Tullaroan and Threecastles meet in historic county final

Tullaroan won the JJ Kavanagh Junior A Hurling Championship for a fourth time with a controlled seven-point victory over Threecastles in Friday evening’s final at UPMC Nowlan Park.

By adding 2025 to earlier wins in 2001, 2011 and 2015 the Northern parish move joint third on the grades roll of honour, while Threecastles wait for a very first title at the grade goes on.

Threecastles did not perform to their best on this evening before a decent crowd at Kilkenny GAA headquarters. They struggled for scores throughout, with Eamon Hennessy their only first half scorer, and just a further five points tacked on afterwards.

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Tullaroan were fastest out of the blocks with an 0-3 to 0-0 lead after four minutes thanks to scores from Cathal Russell (0-2, 0-1 free) and Ciallin Brennan. Eamonn Hennessy with two frees got Tullaroan going, these replied to by a 100-yard pointed free from goalkeeper Mark Holland and a 50-metre point by Cathal Russell.

Eamonn Hennessy got Threecastles in the game in the ninth minute with a burst through five defenders and a fine goal (1-2 to 0-5). 

By the 18th minute Tullaroan were back in control 0-10 to 1-3 with points from Jim Moore, Cathal Russell (3, one free) and Shane Cuddihy scores. A second Hennessy goal a minute later had Threecastles back just a point behind (2-3 to 0-10).

At the interval Tullaroan led 0-13 to 2-5 with man of the match Cathal Russell knocking over a point from a free (21 minutes) and two from play (24th and 29th minutes).

Threecastles were slow in returning to the playing field after the interval with Tullaroan four minutes waiting, and again they were slow starters in the new half, with Tullaroan points from Sean Buggy and a Russell free.

An Eoin Dalton point opened the Threecastles scoring in the 34th minute, but space up front was still at a premium thanks to an excellent Tullaroan defence. A sequence of four unanswered points by Russell (free), Shane Cuddihy and Sean Buggy, both from midfield, and Paul Mulligan left the winners ten points clear with twenty minutes remaining.

Darren Mullan and an Eamonn Hennessy free did reduce the margin for Threecastles, but in the games remaining 14 minutes (two added) the Tullaroan men outscored Threecastles four points to two.

A fully deserved victory for Tullaroan who will now take part in Section B of the junior hurling championship in 2026. Cathal Russell was their star man with 0-13 (six from play) in a fine overall team performance. Others to excel were Niall Holland in goal when called upon, Mark Simpson, Sean Buggy, Shane Cuddihy, and Ciallan Brennan.

Threecastles can still look back on a successful first season back at junior A following C and B successes the last two seasons. Other than Eamonn Hennessy they struggled for scores, but the likes of Joe Lacey, David and Jack Cleere and Eoin Dalton battled to the finish.

Paddy Cooney, junior board chairperson, in his post match address, referenced that Threecastles can still try push onwards on to the premier junior grade very soon before Jack Kavanagh on behalf of the competition sponsors presented the trophy to Tullaroan captain David Fitzgerald.

This completed the six junior A to F finals for 2025, all played in UPMC Nowlan Park, something appreciated by players in these grades.

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Tullaroan - Cathal Russell (0-13, 6 frees, 0-1 “65”), Shane Cuddihy (0-3), Sean Buggy (0-2), Ciallin Brennan, Niall Holland, Jim Moore, Paul Mulligan, Diarmuid Doheny (0-1 each).

Threecastles - Eamonn Hennessey (2-7, 0-5 frees), Eoin Dalton, Darren Mullan, Cian Russell (0-1 each).

Referee - Owen Behan.