Glory for Galmoy in Leinster goal glut

In a high-scoring encounter, Galmoy held the edge over fellow Kilkenny junior side Slieverue to lift the Leinster Club League spoils.

Having played four games each to reach this stage, both sides had a real crack at taking the title for the first time. The early stages of Saturday’s clash at UPMC Nowlan Park were evenly contested with Galmoy nosing in front on the quarter hour mark 0-6 to 0-5, thanks to early points from Oisín Phelan and Conor Drennan, while Slieverue had three from Paul Rockett and one from Conor Wall.

Galmoy had a let-off in the 11th minute when Slieverue won a penalty following a foul on Gary Walsh, but Galmoy’s Joe Dollard saved Paul Rockett’s shot, Adrian Rockett putting the rebound over the bar.

The first of eight goals in a high-scoring game arrived in the 17th minute when Oisín Phelan took a pass from Nigel Stanley. He rounded his man and rifled a shot to the top of the Slieverue net. This spurred Galmoy on and they hit three points in succession from Brandan Phelan and Callum Lonergan (2), his two scores coming off the left wing.

In the 23rd minute, the same Lonergan grabbed an Oisín Phelan line ball and set sail for goal to strike home a solid effort.

David Sherman was having a stormer at midfield for Galmoy in the opening half while Ryan Murphy was also working hard.

The remainder of the opening moiety saw Conor Drennan and Paul Rockett exchange three pointed frees apiece to leave Galmoy in the ascendancy at the break 2-12 to 0-8.

Slieverue were dealt a blow in the sixth minute of the game when full-back and captain Jack Frisby had to depart the fray with a leg injury. On the other hand, they introduced Craig Phelan, who had left a wedding to play, in the 27th minute.

Phelan went on to have a big influence on proceedings, hitting four points in the second half, three of them from play. The Southerners began well after the break with a point from play by Paul Rockett and a line ball from the aforementioned Phelan. Conor Drennan replied from distance following a foul on Callum Lonergan.

Three minutes later, Lonergan took a pass from Brandan Phelan and hit his second goal of the day, pushing Galmoy into a 3-13 to 0-11 lead with 37 minutes on the clock.

Galmoy were going well at this stage, but Slieverue were not giving up the fight. They were rewarded in the 39th minute when Paul Rockett got on the end of a Craig Phelan delivery to poke the sliotar over the Galmoy line.

Points from Callum Lonergan and Stephen Delaney settled Galmoy, only for Rockett to strike the net once more in the 41st minute after confusion in the Galmoy defence (3-15 to 2-12).

Galmoy then enjoyed a stroke of good fortune when a well -struck line ball by Conor Grace, hit from under the old stand, went all the way to the Slieverue net from fully 60 metres.

Two minutes later, the impressive Callum Lonergan set off on a penetrating solo up the right hand side before rifling a screamer to the top of the Southerners’ net. Slieverue introduced two experienced campaigners in Niall Walsh and Eoin Kenny.

Their best forward Paul Rockett had another shot on goal saved by Joe Dollard in the 47th minute, but substitute Paddy Dowling rushed in to bat the sliotar to the net.

Eoin Kenny was now causing problems to the Galmoy defence and he picked off a good point in the 48th minute. Galmoy however, settled the ship and with Oisín Phelan enjoying a profitable closing period, à la Billy Dooley in the 1994 All-Ireland final, he hit four points in quick succession all from the left corner forward position to seal a hard-earned but deserved victory for the Galmoy men.

The Galmoy half-back line of Conor Grace, Conor Drennan and Gearóid Phelan proved the launchpad for many attacks with Callum Lonergan and Oisín Phelan in great form up front for the winners.

Paul Rockett was excellent for Slieverue with Craig Phelan also making a big impression. William Halpin and Ian Ahern did very well for them in defence.

Galmoy - Joe Dollard, James Darcy, Sean Phelan, Kieran Phelan, Conor Grace (1-0 line ball), Conor Drennan (0-6, frees), Gearóid Phelan, David Sherman, Tom Corcoran(0-1), Ryan Murphy, Nigel Stanley, Stephen Delaney (0-1), Callum Lonergan (3-3), Oisín Phelan (1-6), Brandan Phelan(0-2).

Subs: John Phelan for Stephen Delaney, 48 mins; Colm Smith for James Darcy, 53 mins; Brendan Phelan for Brandan Phelan, 59 mins; Matt Delaney for Oisín Phelan, 61 mins.

Slieverue - Shane Wall, Luke O’Donovan, Jack Frisby, Reece Murphy, Ian Ahern, William Halpin, Evan Cullen, Eamonn Phelan (0-1), Cillian Power, Conor Wall (0-1), Adrian Rockett (0-1), Gary Walsh, Shane O’Keeffe, Paul Rockett (2-8, 0-6 frees), Donnacha Griffin.

Subs: Josh Walsh for Jack Frisby (inj), six mins; Craig Phelan (0-4) for Josh Walsh, 27 mins; Paddy Dowling (1-0) for Conor Wall, 39 mins; Niall Walsh for Shane O’Keeffe, 42 mins; Eoin Kenny (0-1) for Donnacha Griffin, 46 mins.

Referee - Owen Beehan (Fenians)