Kilkenny IHC- Thomastown in full control against Fenians

The final scoreline in this intermediate quarter-final at Tom Ryall Park on Saturday may flatter Thomastown somewhat as they hit three of their four goals in the dying moments of this encounter.

In truth though, the southerners held the edge over a battling Fenians (Johnstown) side all through with their off-the-ball running and slick clever passes giving them the advantage from the off.

After 12 minutes of play Thomastown, backed by the elements, had raced into 0-6 to 0-2 lead thanks to four points from Robbie Donnelly and one each from Brian Staunton and John Donnelly.

The Fenians points came from Mark Webster frees.

Stephen Donnelly set up Luke Connellan for a nice point on the left while moments later, it was Connellan who returned the compliment for Donnelly to register.

The only goal of the half came in the 27th minute when Zach Bay Hammond and Mark Hughes accidentally collided in front of the Thomastown goal. Play resumed with an indirect free for Thomastown.

Diarmuid Galway’s huge effort, with the wind, was fielded by Jack Holden who off loaded possession to the onrushing Robbie Donnelly - the net bulged.

Thomastown led at the break 1-10 to 0-4 with all of the Johnstown scores coming from placed balls.

The Fenians half-back line of Niall Carroll, Rory Phelan and midfielder Willie Brennan had won a lot of ball but all too often their long delivery was snuffed out by an efficient Thomastown defence where Eddie Donnelly and Brian Staunton were excellent.

Robbie Donnelly struck over three Thomastown frees in as many minutes after the break as their constant running at the Fenians defence yielded dividends.

Kieran Grehan registered Fenians’ first score from play in the 32nd minute, with Mark Webster adding a free after a foul on Darragh Tobin.

Conor Tobin then assumed freetaking duties for Fenians, putting two over. All the while though, Thomastown kept tapping scores over. John Donnelly central to many of them, his deft taps and passes setting up his comrades.

By the three-quarter mark, it was 1-18 to 0-7 but the Fenians were thrown a lifeline in the 50th minute when substitute Eddie Hughes sent in a long delivery. The sliotar was grabbed by the hardworking Padraig O’Grady, who ran through and sent a screamer past Diarmuid Galway.

Willie Brennan added a point. Suddenly it was 1-21 to 1-10 with four minutes remaining on the clock .

John Donnelly lost his hurley in a Thomastown attack but had the presence of mind to set up Jack Holden to goal with a deft handpass.

In the 60th minute, it was John Donnelly again who flicked home a Brian Staunton delivery.

The Fenians never gave up however, and were rewarded for their efforts when substitute Pa Duggan struck a goal from 30 metres in the 61st minute.

However, it wasn’t enough to reel in the long-time leaders. Thomastown finished off with a Jack Holden goal following a Peter McDonald delivery.

Teams and Scorers

Thomastown: Thomastown: Robbie Donnelly (1-15, 0-11 frees); Jack Holden (2-0); John Donnelly (1-1); Luke Connellan (0-2); Brian Staunton, Stephen Donnelly, Johnny Barron (0-1 each).

Fenians: Mark Webster (0-5, frees); Padraig O'Grady, Pa Duggan (1-0 each); Conor Tobin (0-2 frees); John Henderson (0-1 free); Willie Brennan, Kieran Grehan (0-1 each).

Thomastown: Diarmuid Galway; Ned Kirwan, Jay Burke, Brian Staunton; Zach Bay Hammond, Eddie Donnelly, Brian O’Hanrahan; Peter Connellan, Peter McDonald; Robbie Donnelly, John Donnelly, Luke Connellan; Stephen Donnelly, Dylan Waugh, Jack Holden.

Subs: Thomas O’Hanrahan for Dylan Waugh 39 mins; Johnny Barron for Zach Bay Hammond, 54 mins.

Fenians: Damien Delaney; Aaron Dermody, John Henderson, Seán Brennan; Niall Carroll, Rory Phelan, Darragh McCormack; Willie Brennan, Padraig O’Grady; Mark Hughes, Michael Carroll, Darragh Tobin; Kieran Grehan, Conor Tobin, Mark Webster.

Subs: Cathal Phelan for Michael Carroll, 31 mins; Seán Tobin for Mark Webster, 40 mins; Eddie Hughes for Rory Phelan (inj), 45 mins; Cillian Walsh for Darragh McCormack, 54 mins; Pa Duggan for Darragh Tobin, 56 mins.

Referee: Stephen Delaney(Graigue Ballycallan)