Kilkenny SHC- Super Scanlon drives Village into semi-finals

A power-packed midfield display from Luke Scanlon inspired James Stephens to a hard-fought six point victory over Graigue-Ballycallan on Sunday afternoon.

The final winning margin is probably a bit unjust on a Graigue-Ballycallan side that have enjoyed a fruitful championship campaign, but a lucky Niall Brassil goal in the opening half gave the Village some needed breathing space.

Brassil’s goal went over the head of the unfortunate Ballycallan goalkeeper Ciaran Hoyne and it was certainly crucial in how the game turned out.

Despite the setback of the goal, Ballycallan only trailed by four points at the break but with Luke Scanlon really dictating matters and the likes of Sean Manogue, Ross Whelan and Eoin Guilfoyle coming to the fore, James Stephens grabbed a stranglehold on the game in the second half.

William Spencer and Sean Ryan shared the opening two scores before the Village got the only goal of the game in the fourth minute.

Brassil’s effort from his own half was certainly of the freakish variety as Hoyne attempted to bat the ball away from his goaline but missed it when looking to make contact.

To their credit though, Graigue-Ballycallan battled back valiantly and with Jesse Roberts and Sean Ryan leading the charge, Eugene Cloonan’s outfit very much remained on James Stephens tails.

The Village threatened to pull away at different stages but the Tom Ryall Park-based outfit were giving as good as they got and with only four points between the sides at the break, it was still all to play for (1-10 to 0-9)

It remained nip and tuck in the third quarter but on the back of Graigue-Ballycallan missed goal attempts from both Jesse Roberts and Ryan Corcoran as well as a number of stray wides, the Village took command around the halfway mark of the second period.

Eoin Guilfoyle scored three fine points during this winning spell for last year’s beaten county finalists and with sub Stephen Manogue also having a big impact, the Village were able to keep their opponents at arms length until the finish.

Graigue-Balycallan will be disappointed at how they faded away in the second half but given the youthful nature of the team, the future certainly looks bright while the present is now for the Village as they set up a last four tussle with the Shamrocks.

Teams and Scorers

James Stephens: Luke Scanlon (0-5), Niall Brassil (1-2, 0-1 free); Eoin Guilfoyle (0-3, 0-2 frees); Ross Whelan, Sean Manogue, William Spencer (0-2 each); Stephen Manogue (0-2, 0-1 free).

Graigue Ballycallan: Sean Ryan (0-5, 0-5 frees); Jesse Roberts (0-5); Aaron McEvoy, Tommy Ronan, Jeff Neary, Billy O’Neill, Conor Murphy (0-1 each).

James Stephens: Gavin Costigan; Shane Donohoe, Luke Murphy, Mickey Byrne; Niall Delaney, Niall Brassil, Diarmuid Cody; Luke Scanlon, William Spencer; Sean Manogue, Tadhg O’Dwyer, Andy Parsons; Ross Whelan, Ethan Butler, Eoin Guilfoyle.

Subs: Stephen Manogue for Butler, 34 mins; Liam Rafter for Parsons, 43 mins.

Graigue Ballycallan: Ciaran Hoyne; Darragh Egan, Conor Flynn, Stephen Keoghan; Billy O’Neill, Tom Dunphy, Richie Keoghan; Jeff Neary, Billy Ryan; Colum Prendiville, Tommy Ronan, Sean Ryan; Aaron McEvoy, Jesse Roberts, Ryan Corcoran.

Subs: Aaron Brennan for Prendiville, 47 mins; Conor Murphy for Corcoran, 49 mins.

Referee: Patrick O’Reilly (Barrow Rangers).