Kilkenny IHC- Strong start proves crucial as Mooncoin get the better of Dunnamaggin

A strong opening quarter which saw them lead by six points laid the foundations for a deserved victory for Mooncoin over Dunnamaggin in the first round of the Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling Championship in Piltown on Saturday afternoon.

A stiff breeze blew across the pitch and at various periods of the game both sets of forwards struggled with their shooting, especially Dunnamaggin in the second half.

Although Victor Costello landed a first minute point for Dunnamaggin, Mooncoin dominated the exchanges in the opening 15 minutes.

That was mainly down to superb reading of the game by Paul Hennebry who excelled at centre half back.

Hennebry’s smart deliveries set up numerous scoring opportunities for his colleagues with Killian Hogan and Adam Croke landing points for the winners.

Denis Walsh from frees and Ray Cody kept Dunnamaggin in touch with their opponents, but too often in that first quarter, Dunnamaggin’s lateral passing of the ball across their defence failed to find a colleague with Mooncoin turning over the ball far too easily at times.

Liam Hogan from frees was continuing to punish Dunnamaggin indiscretions with Ciaran Quilty scoring the game’s only goal on 16 minutes following good build up play from Adam Croke and Oisín Hennebry.

Dunnamaggin came much more into the game in the second quarter, principally by curtailing the amount of space afforded to Paul Hennebry.

The winners landed further points through Liam Hogan (free), Stephen Wall, a superb effort from out on the wing and Killian Hogan, but Dunnamaggin were gradually wining more of the ball.

The seven point margin which separated the sides on 20 minutes was gradually being eroded with Andy Hickey, Denis Walsh (another free) and Peter Keneally raising white flags for Dunnamaggin.

The Mooncoin defence was now being tested and by the interval Denis Walsh had landed two more points from frees for Dunnamaggin with Liam Hogan pointing a free for the winners to leave a goal between the teams at half time.

Despite Dunnamaggin putting in a strong third quarter, a goal still separated the sides on 45 minutes.

Both sides added four points to their half-time tallies – Denis Walsh raising four white flags for Dunnamaggin with Ciaran Quilty, Liam Hogan (free), Killian Hogan and Adam Croke replying for the winners.

Mooncoin coughed up possession far too easily on a few occasions in the second half, but Dunnamaggin failed to take advantage hitting some poor wides as they struggled to judge the swirling breeze.

Paul Hennebry was again to the fore for Mooncoin in the closing stages despite plenty of Dunnamaggin pressure with the excellent Andy Hickey working hard to try and close the margin between the sides.

The good start was key to Mooncoin’s victory, but Dunnamaggin will rue plenty of missed chances in the second half which ended at the wrong side of the posts.

Teams and Scorers

Mooncoin - Liam Hogan (0-8, 0-7 frees; 0-1 ’65); Ciaran Quilty (1-1); Killian Hogan and Adam Croke (0-3, each); Paul Hennebry and Stephen Wall (0-1, each).

Dunnamaggin - Denis Walsh (0-10, 0-7 frees); Andy Hickey (0-3); Victor Costello, Peter Keneally, Ray Cody and Darren Fitzpatrick (0-1, each).

Mooncoin - Donnacha Hogan, Aidan Doyle, Jim Delahunty, Ryan Carroll, Cormac Daly, Paul Hennebry, Martin O’Neill, Killian Hogan, Stephen Crowley, Liam Hogan, Oisín Hennebry, Adam Croke, Ciaran Quilty, Cormac Kinsella, Stephen Wall.

Subs: Sean O’Dwyer, Mairtín Gannon; James O’Keeffe.

Dunnamaggin - James Logue, Shaun O’Keeffe, Harry Walsh, Ian Walsh, Eoghan Kearney, Victor Costello, Darragh O’Keeffe, Ray Cody, Darren Fitzpatrick, Andy Hickey, Denis Walsh, Paul Kirwan, Peter Kenneally, John Fitzpatrick, Joe Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Adam Fitzpatrick, JJ Dunphy.

Referee – Eoin Maher (Mullinavat).