Kilkenny IHC- Mooncoin book quarter-final spot with big display

The clash of the junior champions of the past two years saw Mooncoin turn on the style in the second half as they outscored Blacks and Whites 2-11 to 1-4 to run out 10 point winners after the teams were level at half-time (1-11 to 2-8) following an absorbing opening half-hour’s hurling.

Blacks and Whites made the brighter start, and they led 0-4 to 0-1 after just six minutes as Sam Byrne, Niall Kennedy from a long distance free and Ryan Murphy (two frees) were on the mark for the Skeough men.

The Suirsiders settled down and five unanswered points between the 7th and 15th minutes as Pa Walsh (free), Killian Hogan, the outstanding Paul Henebry (free), Kevin Crowley and a great effort by Cormac Daly put them two points ahead(0-6 to 0-4).
Jason Byrne replied with a great effort for Blacks and Whites, before a Seanan Doyle goal in the 18th minute following a pass by Ryan Murphy after a slack goalkeeping clearance saw them regain the lead. 1-5 to 0-6.

Points were exchanged by Stephen Crowley and a brilliant sideline effort from Aidan O’Dowd in the 20th and 21st minutes respectively, before an Adam Croke goal following a perfectly timed run regain the lead for The South Kilkenny men. 1-7 to 1-6.

Paul Henebry added a superb long distance point from play to double the advantage(1-8 to 1-6) before Sam Byrne added 1-1 in quick succession as Blacks and Whites regained the lead once again. 2-7 to 1-8.

The goal coming in the 24th minute when Byrne with a clear path through on goal actually mishit his shot, but it ended up looping over Eoin Purcell.

Mooncoin replied again and points by a long distance free from Paul Henebry, Pa Walsh and Killian Hogan brought them level at half-time. 1-11 to 2-8.

Blacks and Whites suffered a major blow in losing their captain Paul Murphy at the interval, but they got the first score of the second half courtesy of a point by Martin Kelly. 2-9 to 1-11.

However, Mooncoin added a hat-trick of points in succession including a brace by the outstanding Kevin Crowley to regain the lead as they would begin to dominate afterwards. 1-14 to 2-9.

Points were exchanged, before Mooncoin put themselves in the driving seat with a goal from Ciaran Quilty in the 40th minute following a sublime vision by Pa Walsh. 2-15 to 2-10.

Buoyed on by that goal, the Suirsiders added six consecutive points between the 40th and 48th minutes to put the match beyond Blacks and Whites as Pa Walsh(2), Martin O’Neill, Adam Croke, Sean Gannon and Paul Henebry kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Pa Walsh played a strong part in Mooncoin’s third goal as he raced through the heart of the Blacks and Whites defence to set up Kevin Crowley to apply the finishing touch.

Ryan Murphy grabbed a late consolation goal for the Skeough men that was deserved for their plucky efforts but no questioning Mooncoin superior dominance and they will be a handful for their Quarter-Final opponents next weekend.

Teams and Scorers

Mooncoin: Kevin Crowley (1-4), Adam Croke (1-2), Pa Walsh (0-5, 0-2 frees), Paul Henebry (0-4, 0-2 frees), Ciaran Quilty (1-0), Killian Hogan, Mark Kearns, Martin O’Neill, Sean Gannon, Cormac Daly and Stephen Crowley (0-1 each)

Blacks and Whites: Ryan Murphy (1-5,0-5 frees), Sam Byrne (1-2),
Seanan Doyle (1-0), Niall Kennedy (free), Aidan O’Dowd (Sideline), Martin Kelly, Jamie Byrne and Jason Byrne (0-1 each)

Mooncoin: Eoin Purcell; Niall Madden, Aidan Doyle, Ryan Carroll; Cormac Daly; Paul Henebry, Martin O’Neill; Mark Kearns, Stephen Crowley; Ciaran Quilty, Sean Gannon, Killian Hogan; Adam Croke, Pa Walsh, Kevin Crowley.

Sub: James Delahunty.

Blacks and Whites: Keelin O’Grady; Joe Kelly, Michael Cro Moloney, Tommy Joyce; Ian Foley, Paul Murphy, Niall Kennedy; John Lennon, Ryan Murphy; Aidan O’Dowd, Martin Kelly, Jamie
Byrne; Seanan Doyle, Sam Byrne, Jason Byrne.

Subs: Daire Murphy, Aaron Foley, Padraig Joyce.

Referee: Eoin Hayes (Thomastown)