Kilkenny JHL- Drennan catches fire as Galmoy cruise to victory

An impressive haul of 2-11 by Billy Drennan inspired Galmoy to a convincing win over Barrow Rangers in the Premier Junior Hurling League at Muckalee on Sunday.

Galmoy started this game at top speed and their opponents were well behind before they could find their feet.

Having played Cloneen on the previous Tuesday, Barrow Rangers showed three changes from the published team while Galmoy lined out as selected.

Having lost to Windgap in their opening game, Galmoy were up for this one and showed tremendous accuracy early on when they were on top.

Drennan was in brilliant form up front, with serious assistance from Callum Lonergan and midfielder Oisín Phelan, while in defence, Conor Grace and Conor Drennan stood out.

Joe Healy tried hard for Barrow Rangers in attack with Jack Kelly and Kieran O’Neill also doing their best.

After opening points from Brandan Phelan and Billy Drennan, Galmoy registered their first goal in the second minute of the game.

A long ball in by Oisín Phelan was fielded by Drennan and, in one move, he set up Callum Lonergan to rifle past Richie Doyle in the Barrow Rangers goal.

Jack Kelly got the Paulstown men off the mark when he took a Conor Hanlon cross and split the posts.

A pair of points from Drennan and one each from Oisín Phelan and Jason Stanley extended the lead to 1-6 to 0-3 with Kieran O Neill replying for Rangers along with Joe Healy from a free which he won himself.

The second Galmoy goal came in the seventh minute.

Conor Grace sent a long delivery into his attack which was fielded by Drennan who rounded his man and set sail for goal before hitting the top corner.

It was all Galmoy at this stage and they rose another green in the 15th minute.

Jason Stanley saw his goalbound shot saved by Richie Doyle, but with the sliotar coming back off the upright, Billy Drennan struck first time to leave it 3-8 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Points followed from the sticks of Ryan Murphy, Conor Drennan and Conor Grace before Joe Healy put over two frees for Rangers.

The last 10 minutes of the half saw Galmoy hit eight points while their opponents just posted one each from Jack Kelly and a Healy free to leave the half time score Galmoy 3-20 Barrow Rangers 0-7.

Barrow Rangers introduced Keith Flavin at midfield for the new half in a bid to curb the influence of Oisín Phelan, but Phelan continued to dominate.

Galmoy began to strike a few wides now, they hit 16 wides over the hour, but they were settled when Conor Grace put over a lineball from the right wing 45 metres out.

By the three quarter stage, Galmoy lead 3-23 to 0-10 with Galmoy goalkeeper Brian Kelly turning a Jack Kelly shot out for a 65 which ultimately went wide.

Barrow Rangers did eventually pierce the Galmoy defence when Keith Flavin made a run up the middle before offloading to Kieran O’Neill to slot home their only goal in the 50th minute.

It was all academic at this stage,however, as Galmoy finished off with a pair of points each from Ryan Murphy and Billy Drennan to run out convincing winners.

Galmoy: Brian Kelly, Dylan Grace, Nigel Stanley, Kieran Phelan, Conor Grace (0-2,0-1 Lineball), Conor
Drennan (0-1), Gearóid Phelan, Sean Phelan (Capt.), Niall Drennan, Billy Drennan (2-11, 0-5 frees), Ryan
Murphy (0-3), Brandan Phelan (0-3), Callum Lonergan (1-4), Jason Stanley (0-1), Oisín Phelan (0-3).

Subs Used: Colman Moloney, Conor Darcy, Rohan Lonergan, Brendan Phelan and Odhrán Moloney.

Barrow Rangers: Richie Doyle, Evin Rudkins, Kevin Brennan, Paul Delaney, Killian Rudkins, Thomas
Brennan, Patrick Purcell, Brian Kelly, Cathal Purcell, Cathal English, Jack Kelly (0-3), Conor Hanlon, Joe
Healy (Capt.)(0-8,0-7frees), Kieran O’Neill (0-1), Jason Holden.

Subs Used: Keith Flavin, Billy Hanlon, Michael Doyle.

Referee: John O’Gorman (Dicksboro)