Kilkenny IHC- Lisdowney get season back on track with big win

Lisdowney comfortably saw off the challenge of Conahy Shamrocks in this intermediate championship quarter-final which was played at a splendidly prepared Ballyragget on Saturday afternoon.

Once Liam Dunphy pointed for the winners on 20 seconds they took a firm grip on a game which they dominated except for a brief period at the start of the second half.

Conahy Shamrocks won the toss and elected to play against a very stiff breeze.

That decision demanded a strong defensive performance, but with Lisdowney dominating all over the field, the Conahy rear-guard came under incessant pressure during the first half.

The only goal of the game arrived on four minutes when a well-directed Gary O’Sullivan cross field delivery was tapped into the Conahy net by Liam Dunphy who was given far too much space by a hesitant Conahy defence.

Remarkably, that would be the last score from play from a Lisdowney forward until sub Charlie Brennan pointed in injury-time at the end of the game.

The winners had built up a 1-3 to no score lead before James Bergin pointed a free on 10 minutes to finally get Conahy on the scoreboard.

He landed another point on 15 minutes to bring the margin back to four points.

That period of Conahy control did not last long as Lisdowney responded with a point from midfielder and player of the match Niall Brennan.

With Niall Brennan controlling the game in midfield, Lisdowney enjoyed plenty of scoring opportunities and by the 25th minute they held a comfortable 1-9 to 0-2 lead, thanks to further points from Andrew McEvoy (free) and wing-back David O’Carroll.

Two excellent points for Conahy from James Bergin and Tom Phelan momentarily spurred on their side, but time after time rash challenges resulted in further frees for the winners with Andrew McEvoy finding the range on every occasion.

Following an excellent point from Tom Phelan at the start of the second half, Conahy wasted four good scoring chances although favoured by the breeze.

A trio of points for Conahy from Edmond Delaney (line ball and play) plus a pointed free from sub Darragh Dooley in a two minute spell hinted at a possible Conahy revival.

But points from Niall Brennan and another Andrew McEvoy free pushed the winners into an eleven point lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

It did not matter that the breeze lessened a little in the second half as Lisdowney continued to control the game all the way to the finish.

Teams and Scorers

Lisdowney: Andrew McEvoy (0-11, frees); Niall Brennan (0-4); Liam Dunphy (1-1); David O’Carroll and Charlie Brennan (0-1, each).

Conahy Shamrocks: James Bergin (0-3, 0-2 frees); Darragh Dooley (0-3, 0-2 frees); Tom Phelan (0-2); Edmond Delaney (0-2, 0-1 line-
ball); Mark Gunner (0-1).

Lisdowney: Aidan Tallis; Kevin O’Sullivan; Ben Tallis; Alan Dunphy; John Brennan; Richard McEvoy; David O’Carroll; Niall Brennan; Kevin Sweeney; Gary O’Sullivan; Vinny Fitzpatrick; Eibhan McEvoy; Andrew McEvoy; Cathal Jordan; Liam Dunphy.

Subs: Michael Kenny for Kevin Sweeney; Charlie Brennan for Gary O’Sullivan.

Conahy Shamrocks: Karl Downey; Simon Callinan; Philly Cass; Ciaran Rice; Donal Brennan; Eoin Cahill; Liam Cass, Darren Cuddihy, Thomas Rice; Tom Phelan; John Mullan; Edmond Delaney; Bill Murphy; Kieran Mooney; James Bergin.

Subs: Darragh Dooley for Bill Murphy; Mark Gunner for Darren Cuddihy; Eoin Carroll for Thomas Rice.

Referee – Richard Holland