Kilkenny IHL- Bergin goal crucial as Conahy earn big win

A strong second half, despite conceding 1-2 in the opening couple of minutes, saw Conahy Shamrocks deservedly take the points in a game where the intensity grew during that second half.

Eoghan Kearney pointed an early free for Dunnamaggin with Eoin Cahill tieing the game two minutes later.

Denis Walsh and Andy Hickey along with Victor Costello at centre half back led the way for Dunnamaggin, and they would have had a few more points on the scoreboard at the interval but for some wayward shooting.

By the end of the first quarter, Dunnamaggin led 0-6 to, 0-3, but Conahy came much more into the game during the second quarter.

Tom Phelan’s runs from deep were causing a problem and he drew a brilliant save from James Logue, but he did manage to raise a white flag along with Kieran Mooney (free) and James Bergin who was coming more into the game with every passing minute.

Conahy trailed 0-7 to 0-4 with eight minutes remaining in the half despite playing with the breeze.

A strong finish saw points for the winners from Donal Brennan from distance, Tom Phelan and another long distance effort from Eddie Delaney to see the teams all-square at the interval.

The winners looked to be up against it two minutes into the new half when Dunnamaggin bagged 1-2, the goal coming from John Fitzpatrick and the points from Denis Walsh and Victor Costello.

But showing great character, Conahy responded to that setback to score 1-4 without reply.

Rob Ring finished low to the Dunamaggin net when set up by Tom Phelan on five minutes. This was followed by a brace of pointed frees from Kieran Mooney, plus two more from Tom Rice and Darragh Hennessy to see Conahy led by two after ten minutes.

Denis Walsh and Andy Hickey continued to pose difficulties for the Conahy defence landing three points, but when James Bergin scored a second Conahy goal after some excellent build up play, the winners once again regained control of the game.

The strong running of Tom Phelan brought further points for the winners with sub Darragh Dooley making a handsome contribution with three points.

The final quarter saw tit-for-tat scoring but Conahy had a big let-off when a Denis Walsh effort went narrowly
wide in the closing stages.

Teams and Scorers

Conahy Shamrocks- Kieran Mooney (0-5, frees); Tom Phelan (0-4); James Bergin (1-1); Rob Ring (1-0); Tom Rice and Darragh Dooley (0-3); Eoin Cahill, Donal Brennan, Eddie Delaney and Darragh Hennessy (0-1, each).

Dunnamaggin- Denis Walsh (0-7, 0-1 free); Andy Hickey (0-6); John Fitzpatrick (1-1); Ray Cody (0-2); Eoghan Kearney (free), Victor Costello and Alex Moore (0-1, each).

Conahy Shamrocks- Karl Downey, Ciaran Rice, Philly Cass, Liam Cass, Davy Healy, Brian Healy, Donal Brennan, Darragh Hennessy, Eoin Cahill, Tom Rice, Eddie Delaney, Tom Phelan, Rob Ring, Kieran Mooney, James Bergin.

Subs – Darragh Dooley and Eoin Carroll.

Dunnamaggin- James Logue, Paul Kirwan, Harry Walsh, Ian Walsh, Eoghan Kearney, Victor Costello, Darragh O’Keeffe, Darren Fitzpatrick, Joe Fitzpatrick, Andy Hickey, Ray Cody, Peter Kenneally, Denis Walsh, John Fitzpatrick, Ruaidhri Holden.

Subs – Alex Moore and Jimmy O’Neil.

Referee – Vivienne Holmes (Bennettsbridge).