Kilkenny Junior C Hurling Final- Threecastles end long wait for title

History was made at Nowlan Park on Saturday when Threecastles, a club that makes up one-fifth of Freshford parish, won a first adult county title in 83 years.

Their supporters celebrated to a man, woman and child at headquarters following this fully deserved seven point victory over Mooncoin, 2-16 to 0-15. This was actually a battle between two of the original four GAA clubs in Kilkenny, (for the record the other two were Confederation from Kilkenny City and Tullaroan).

To the game itself - Cormac Rafter opened Threecastles account, a score which was replied to by Mooncoin’s Stephen Wall.
Eamonn Hennessy (T) and Cormac Walsh (M) exchanged scores from play. Threecastles were setting into the game better in the early stages, and in the fourth minute Eamonn Hennessy cut inside from the new stand side of Nowlan Park and goaled (1-2 to 0-2).

Stephen Wall (M) and Eamonn Hennessy from a free traded scores, as did Ray Wall (M) from a free and Jack Boland. In the tenth minute Threecastles recorded a second goal. A shot from Kyle Maher was well saved by Mooncoin goalkeeper Niall O’Hanlon, but the other corner forward Mark Cleere followed up, and raised the green flag.

A Ray Wall free from Mooncoin was responded to by Threecastles points by full forward Cian Franey from midfield, and a Hennessy free, to leave the Northern side seven points to the good, 2-6 to 0-5, at the first half water break.

An excellent sideline cut by Johnny Minogue (T) made it 2-7 to 0-5 and it looked like a one sided contest might ensue.

Mooncoin were having none of it, and by half time they were to record six points to their opponents one. Three Ray Wall frees, two Liam Hogan points, and an individual score from James Delahunty reduced the lead to 0-11 to 2-7. A free from Hennessy left the half-time score Threecastles 2-8; Mooncoin 0-11.

The third quarter was tight with only three points scored, Kieran Dillon Dunphy from 60 metres and Liam Hogan for Mooncoin, these replied to by a Hennessy free for Threecastles(2-9 to 0-13).

At the final quarter opening, Hennessy got a Threecastles point from a “65” after a good save by the Mooncoin keeper, to which Ray Wall (free) replied.

Threecastles could sense history beckoning for one of the county’s smallest clubs, and went on to record five unanswered points. This sequence started with a Hennessy free, Mark Cleere from 30 metres, Jack Boland after a lay off from Hennessy, a huge score from distance by centre back Jack Cleere and finally, from beyond midfield, a Hennessy point from play. It was now 2-15 to 0-14 with only two minutes plus injury time remaining. By the finish. Ryan Croke (M) and Cormac Rafter also traded scores.

The whistle sounded from Richard Holland, and a new name was going on the Iverk Produce Junior C trophy, a competition started in 2018.

All credit to Threecastles on their victory. This was a team performance with players such as goalkeeper Conrad Cooper, Cian Lyng, David and Jack Cleere, Nick O’Shea, Cormac Rafter, Jack Boland, Eamonn Hennessy and Mark Cleere the most prominent.

Mooncoin had been promoted from D to C grade after last year’s victory, but met a better side on the day. Niall O’Hanlon, Liam Hogan and their accurate free taker Ray Wall were the Suirsiders best performers.

For the Junior A,B,C and D grades it was appreciated by all eight clubs that the finals were played at Kilkenny GAA headquarters. The historic outcome of this game in particular, was an excellent promotion of these Kilkenny GAA grades.

Threecastles: Conrad Cooper; Frank Keoghan, Cian Lyng, David Cleere; Vincent O’Donnell, Jack Cleere (0-1), Nick O’Shea (0-1); Johnny Minogue (0-1, sideline), Darragh Walsh (0-3, captain); Cormac Rafter (0-2), Jack Boland (0-2), Eamonn Hennessy (1-8, 0-5 frees and 0-1 ‘65); Kyle Maher, Cian Franey (0-1), Mark Cleere (1-1).

Subs: Cian Russell for Kyle Maher, Joe Lacey for Mark Cleere, Tommy Rafter for Jack Boland.

Mooncoin: Niall O’Hanlon, Robbie Finn, Sean Wall, Jackie Ryan, Luke Ramasawmy, Padraig Murphy, Ryan Croke (0-1), Paddy Kinsella, Liam Hogan (0-3), Ciaran Walsh (0-1, captain), Mark Fitzgerald, Stephen Wall (0-2), Kieran Dillon Dunphy (0-1), James Delahunty (0-1), Ray Wall (0-6, 0-6 frees).

Subs - Alan Walsh for Ciaran Walsh, Darryl Murphy for Paddy Kinsella.