Kilkenny GAA- John Lockes record first win in junior hurling league

A strong finish from John Lockes saw them over the line against Galmoy in this Premier Junior league clash at Tullaroan on Sunday evening.

This was a hard competitive game all through with both sides giving as good as they got.

John Lockes began well and three Tomás Roche points ,two from frees, sent them into an early lead.

Billy Drennan struck over two frees for Galmoy before we had the first goal.

Adam O’Sullivan set off on a mazy run through the Galmoy defence and although his 20 metre shot on goal lacked force, it still went in off Brian Kelly’s hurley to open up a four point lead (1-3 to 0-2) after 12 minutes.

In the 17th minute, Conor Drennan sent in a huge line ball from the left wing and, as it dropped Billy Drennan sent a sizzler first time to the roof of the Lockes net,1-3 each.

Drennan then took a pass from Ryan Murphy and sent Galmoy ahead but Tomás Roche equalised from a placed ball.

Niall Drennan then struck twice in quick succession. His first point was a first time pull on instinct from an acute angle.

A minute later, he collected a brilliant drop shot from Conor Drennan and split the posts.

Galmoy then enjoyed a productive spell, with points from Billy Drennan off a Kevin Duggan pass, Jason Stanley off a Conor Drennan clearance and a Billy Drennan free, following a foul on Gearóid Phelan (1-9 to 1-6).

Ryan Donovan Cooke pulled one back for John Lockes approaching half-time.

A good Galmoy move finished with Callum Lonergan raising a white flag. Lonergan had earlier been temporarily sidelined with a head injury, but returned to the fray before half-time.

Conor Grace took a pass from Kevin Duggan to point before Ryan Bergin closed the first half scoring, with a neat point in a confined space, to leave Galmoy ahead 1-11 to 1-8 at the interval.

The early stages of the new half saw the sides go point for point. Ryan Donovan Cooke and then Kevin Duggan off the right wing had an exchange, before Tomás Roche from a free and Billy Drennan from play did likewise.

Robbie Jackman then popped over a Callan point before Tomás Roche added a free after a foul on Ryan Donovan Cooke.
Billy Drennan then took a slap to the head before pointing the resultant free (1-14 to 1-12).

A good Galmoy passing move, involving Kevin Duggan and Ryan Murphy ended with Conor Drennan pointing from distance in the 44th minute.

The next six scores all came from the sticks of the Callan men as they now dominated proceedings.

The young legs of Mikey Prendergast, Adam O’Sullivan, Ryan Donovan Cooke and Tomás Roche all tested the Galmoy defence and yielded some impressive points to lead 1-18 to 1-15 by the 50th minute.

John Lockes were now well on top at midfield, while Michael Lynch was picking up an amount of ball in the centre back position.

It was Billy Drennan who dragged Galmoy back from placed balls after fouls on himself and one on Ryan Murphy, to level the game 1-18 each with seven minutes remaining.

But those closing minutes belonged to John Lockes as they ran at their opponents winning three late frees, two of which were converted by Robbie Jackman, after Tomás Roche picked up a calf injury.

Young Zac O’Halloran also popped one over as the Lockes recorded their first win of the campaign.

John Lockes - Eoin Byrne; Liam Hennessy, Jack McDowell, Tony Delaney; Paddy Kennedy, Michael Lynch, Bill McDowell; Adam O’Sullivan (1-1), Tomás Roche (0-10, 0-9 frees); Ryan Bergin (0-2), Ciarán Phelan, Robbie Jackman (0-3, 0-2 frees); Zac O’Halloran (0-1), Mikey Prendergast (0-1), Ryan Donovan Cooke (0-4).

Sub: Evan Doyle.

Galmoy - Brian Kelly; Kieran Phelan, Nigel Stanley, Dylan Grace; Conor Grace (0-1), Conor Drennan (0-1), Gearóid Phelan; Sean Phelan, Oisín Phelan; Callum Lonergan (0-1), Jason Stanley (0-1), Kevin Duggan (0-1); Billy Drennan (1-11, 0-8 frees), Ryan Murphy, Niall Drennan (0-2).

Subs: Brandan Phelan, Daniel Hanrahan, Patrick Doyle.

Referee - Richard Holland (Tullaroan).