Kilkenny IHC- Hogan goal edges Mooncoin past Saints

Mooncoin booked their place in the semi-finals of the Michael Lyng Motors Intermediate Hurling Championship, beating St Martin’s on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-11.

The match failed to produce much quality as both teams were forced to endure treacherous weather conditions and on a day of fine mine margins, a 27th minute goal from Killian Hogan and a strong closing 10 minutes for Mooncoin where they converted the final four points proved to be crucial in their passage to the next round.

Scores were at a premium all afternoon but they were more forthcoming for St Martin’s in the opening 10 minutes, as five different scorers raised white flags to leave the scoreline at 0-5 to 0-1.

The only dry aspect of the day was the scoreboard, with few scores being delivered over the following five minutes. However, Mooncoin supporters could take a sigh of relief in the 15th minute as Pa Walsh converted a difficult free from an angle on the 65 metre line to reduce the margin to three points.

St Martin’s hit back with two consecutive points from John Mulhall and a Shane Kinsella free to extend their lead to 0-7 to 0-2 with 10 minutes of the half remaining.

At this point, the rain showed no sign of waning with every score seeming precious in value.

0-2 points apiece between the 20th and 25th minutes meant St Martin’s had a five point cushion as the half approached a conclusion.

However, there was a sucker punch just before half-time. As an accurate pass from Mark Kearns found intended target Killian Hogan who fought off Cathal Keegan to send the sliotar crashing to the net.

The scoreline read 0-9 to 1-4 at the break as Brendan Cahill and his Mooncoin team entered the dressing room in jubilant form trailing by just two points despite only scoring 1-1 from play.

The wind wreaked havoc on both teams and this was portrayed on the scoreboard.

Mooncoin’s low score count in the first half was replicated by St Martin’s in the second, as the northerners could only manage two points.

A Shane Kinsella free did open St Martin’s account in the second half but playing against the elements would prove too much to handle as Mooncoin eat into their opponents lead throughout.

Two points from Pa Walsh brought Mooncoin back to within one with 13 minutes remaining before Oisin Kelly fired over a long-range free to leave the scoreline at 0-11 to 1-6 after 51 minutes.

Two impressive points from play courtesy of Pa Walsh and Ciaran Quilty plus frees from Walsh and Henebry sealed the victory for Mooncoin.

Teams and Scorers

Mooncoin: Pa Walsh (0-6, 0-3 frees), Killian Hogan (1-0), Ciaran Quilty (0-2), Paul Henebry (0-2 frees)

St Martin’s: Sean Hunt (0-3), Shane Kinsella (0-2), Brian Coady, Jamie Morrissey, Tadhg Gill, Russell Kealy, John Mulhall (0-1 each), Oisin Kelly (0-1 free)

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.

St Martin's: Oisin Kelly; Tadhg Gill, Paddy Nolan, Cathal Keegan; Ciaran Nolan, Brian Coady, Justin Manning; Shane Kinsella, Tristan Roche; Donal Shore, Harry Kealy, Daniel Comerford; Jamie Morrissey, John Mulhall, Sean Hunt.

Referee: Michael O’Sullivan