Kilkenny IHC- Dunn’ and dusted: late goal sinks Gowran

Horrendous wet and windy weather made conditions horrible for hurling in Thomastown on Sunday. As a result it was no surprise that a low scoring encounter occurred, but both teams deserve immense credit for battling out in the most difficult circumstances.

John Fitzpatrick’s injury-time goal following a well worked move was a most horrible and heartbreaking way for the Gowran men to lose a game they had under control, where scores were at a premium and most difficult to come by.

Young Irelands would have been the happier as the teams trooped in level at 0-3 each at half-time having played against the elements throughout the opening half. Their half back/midfield area was totally dominant, with Michael Carey and Seamus Farrell in particular highly effective.

Paul Holden scored all of Young Irelands’ three points in the opening-half. Two of those points came from frees in the opening four minutes, while he got a point from play in the 27th minute.

Dunnamaggin’s first half total came from Denis Walsh, who scored two points from play in the 15th and 24th minutes respectively, while John Fitzpatrick added an injury-time free.

Paul Holden added a brace of points in quick succession in the 36th minute to build up a 0-5 to 0-3 lead, before Darren Fitzpatrick pointed from play to cut the deficit to a solitary point (0-5 to 0-4).

Dunnamaggin dominated possession for a 15 minute spell in the second half without being overly threatening as the Young Irelands defence held firm.

Michael Walsh struck over a superb long range point in the 54th minute to put them two points up and even though it was a narrow advantage, it appeared they may have done enough as there were no goalscoring chances created on either side.

However, credit to Dunnamaggin who kept plugging away. With Eoghan Kearney and Michael Cody driving them forward, great work from the defensive duo led to the winning goal as Dunnamaggin conjured up one final attack.

Andy Hickey and substitute Peter Kenneally were also involved as John Fitzpatrick found himself with a clear path through on goal. The Dunnamaggin full-forward struck his shot past Jason Brennan as they took the lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

However, it wasn’t over yet as five minutes of injury-time were played.

Young Irelands fought tooth and nail to try and get a leveller, but it wasn’t to be.

Paul Holden stood up to a sideline effort as he went for an attempt at a point. His well-struck effort just dropped short in front of the Dunnamaggin goal who managed to clear.

It was take two and Paul Holden had another attempt to try and strike over the levelling point, but his effort failed to find the mark - Dunnamaggin held on to qualify for a semi-final while Young Irelands were left to rue what might have been.

Teams and Scorers

Dunnamaggin: John Fitzpatrick (1-1, 0-1 free), Denis Walsh (0-2), Darren Fitzpatrick (0-1).

Young Irelands: Paul Holden (0-5, 0-2 frees), Michael Walsh (0-1).

Dunnamaggin: Andy O’Dwyer; Paul Kirwan, Victor Costello, Ian Walsh; Eoghan Kearney, Michael Cody, Darragh O’Keeffe; Shaun O’Keeffe, Darren Fitzpatrick; Ray Cody, Joe Fitzpatrick, Conor Hoban; Denis Walsh, John Fitzpatrick, Andy
Hickey.

Subs: Andrew Fitzpatrick for Darragh O’Keeffe, 24 mins, Peter Kenneally for Conor Hoban, 42 mins.

Young Irelands: Jason Brennan; Bobbie Brennan, Padraig O’Neill, Philip O’Donnell; Michael Walsh, Michael Carey, Paddy
Langton; Padraig Naddy, Seamus Farrell; Jack Brennan, Sean Carey, Geoff Brennan; Paul Holden, Ted Drea, Killian Carey.

Sub: Pat Farrell for Naddy, 49 mins.

Referee: Eoin Maher