Kilkenny SHL- Village have the edge over ’Comer

A strong scoring finish to the first half helped James Stephens record their second win of the senior hurling league.

Upon reflection, both the Village and opponents Erin’s Own (Castlecomer) could have left Muckalee with a win but that run of seven points to one was key to Brian Cody’s men crossing the finish line first.

The ’Comer men started brightly and raced into an early 0-3 to 0-1 advantage after just five minutes. Conor McMahon, Chris Korff and Jack Buggy from a free all raising white flags for the northerners.

The teams were deadlocked twice over the next six minutes. Niall Brassil and Luke Scanlon drew the Village men level at 0-3 apiece by the seventh minute, before a brace of ’Comer points were wiped out by a trio of scores for the city club, leaving the scoreline at 0-5 each with 11 minutes gone.

Erin’s Own hit a golden period over the next eight minutes, pointing six points without reply through Jack Buggy (frees), Eoin Brennan, John Dowd and Conor Fogarty.

James Stephens seemed to be in bother but, as the clock ticked down, the pendulum swung once more. The final 10 minutes of the half belonged to the Village, scoring seven of the last eight points. Eoin Guilfoyle notched four points from frees and one from play during that period, while Tadhg O’Dwyer and Luke Scanlon also got in on the scoring act as Stephens squeezed into a 0- 12 to 0-11 lead by the half-time whistle.

Erin’s Own were quick out of the traps after the restart. With sharpshooter Jack Buggy their scorer in chief they turned the game back in their favour at 0-14 to 0-12 three minutes into the half.

At this point, every puckout created the opportunity for a score with offensive play the order of business. Sharp link up play from the city outfit gave Ross Whelan the perfect chance to open his account and following on from an Eoin Guilfoyle free, we were all square for the third time at 0-14 each.

The seesaw was back on James Stephens’ side at this point, a breaking ball availed on by Luke Scanlon, a loose Erin’s Own puck-out pounced on by Sean Manogue and a spectacular point from Cian Kenny inside his own 65 metre line opened up a 0-17 to 0-14 leading margin for Cody’s troops.

However, this injected a bounce into the Erin’s Own play. Shane Feehan was the architect, picking out a handpass to Conor McMahon whose accuracy from long range was rewarded with a point. That score was one of four during a dominant period for the men in blue with the scoreboard reading 0-18 to 0-17 by the 43rd minute.

Crucially however, as the match headed towards the final 15 minutes and the teams were level at 0-18 apiece, the Village finished the game stronger. From Niall Brassil at centre-back to Sean Manogue and Eoin Guilfoyle in the forwards, their ability to dig out scores while under sizeable pressure was impressive.

Erin’s Own to their credit were never out of the mix and this was portrayed perfectly in the closing eight minutes. Shane Feehan laid claim to the ball deep inside James Stephens territory and forced Gavin Costigan into an impressive double save, with a Jack Buggy rebound also failing to hit the net bulging. The resulting 65 flew wide from Buggy, a disappointing miss on a night where small margins were crucial.

But, leading the way by the call of time is where it counts and a closing quarter where the Village bagged six of the last nine points proved to be pivotal as Erin’s Owns attempts to rescue the contest was withstood by a firm Village wall, holding firm to seal a 0-24 to 0-21 triumph.

The win sees James Stephens in third place on five points while Erin’s Own are rooted to the bottom of the Group A standings, a draw with the Shamrocks their only point ahead of the final round of fixtures.

Teams and Scorers

James Stephens - Eoin Guilfoyle (0-10,0-8 frees); Luke Scanlon (0-5); Tadhg O’Dwyer, Sean Manogue, Cian Kenny (0-2 each); Niall Brassil (0-2, 0-1 free); Ross Whelan (0-1)

Erin’s Own - Jack Buggy (0-9, 0-8 frees); Conor Fogarty, Conor McMahon (0-3 each); Chris Korff (0-2); Shane Feehan, Eoin Brennan, Martin Boran, John Dowd (0-1 each)

James Stephens - Gavin Costigan; Shane Donohoe, Luke Murphy, Adam O’Connor; Niall Delaney, Niall Brassil, David Hennessy; Luke Scanlon, William Spencer; Cian Kenny, Tadhg O’Dwyer, Ross Whelan; Sean Manogue, Liam Rafter, Eoin Guilfoyle.

Erin’s Own - Sean Buggy; Aidan Moran, Niall McMahon, James Brennan; John Dowd, Conor Delaney, Conor McMahon; Chris Korff, Kevin Holland; Eoin Brennan, Shane Feehan, Conor Fogarty; Jack Buggy, Cathal Holland, Michael Brennan.

Referee - Patrick O’Reilly