Kilkenny SHL- Glenmore hold off fast finishing Thomastown

Glenmore held off a gallant Thomastown comeback to secure their first win in Group A of the St Canices Credit Union Senior League in a sunny Piltown on Saturday.

Glenmore put in a gallant display and led by six points atone stage of the second half but they were still holding on come the end after Thomastown captain Peter McDonald hit a free wide with the last puck of the game.

Despite the late drama, there is no doubt that Glenmore were the better side with newcomers Michael Harney and Ciaran Kirwan again standing out while Billy Reid, Alan Murphy, Ian Byrne and Charlie Phelan also starred as Maurice Aylward’s men now move within one result of avoiding the relegation battle.

Played in front of a big attendance, it was score for score throughout the opening period with neither team doing enough to get on top.

John Donnelly has arguably been the standout player in this year’s senior league and he was almost unmarkable as he scored four points from play as well as zooming a sideline cut between the posts and all of the scores arrived in the opening 30 minutes.

The sides were level on five occasions throughout that first half and Donnelly’s excellence helped Thomastown into an 0-11 to 0-10 interval lead but Glenmore wer every much still in the contest.

It was Glenmore themselves who dominated the majority of the second half and they added the first five points without reply on the resumption.

Ian Byrne, Billy Reid and Alan Murphy all found their range and although Ger Aylward had a goal opportunity saved by Diarmuid Galway, the South Kilkenny outfit still looked in control.

Peter McDonald and Robbie Donnelly replied for Thomastown but they seemed destined for a first defeat when Ian Byrne, Ger Aylward and Charlie Phelan extended the Glenmore lead further.

Thomastown threw everything at their opponents in the final minutes with scores from Peter McDonald, Brian Staunton and Naoise Dempsey and they even had a last second free to snatch a draw but McDonald’s free went wide, much to Glenmore’s relief.

Teams and Scorers

Glenmore: Alan Murphy (0-7, 4fs and 1 ‘65); Ian Byrne (0-4, 1f); Billy Reid (0-3); Ger Aylward, Cathal Beirne, Charlie Phelan (0-2 each); Richard Hennessy, Ciaran Kirwan (0-1 each)

Thomastown: John Donnelly (0-5); Robbie Donnelly (0-4, 4fs); Peter McDonald (0-3, 1f); Brian Staunton (0-3); Jack Holden, Rory Connellan, Luke Connellan, Zach Bay Hammond, Thomas O’Hanrahan, Naoise Dempsey (0-1 each)

Glenmore: Mikey Kirwan; Darragh Vereker, Eoin Aylward, Eoin Murphy Michael Harney, Shane Murphy, Billy Reid; Ian Byrne, Tomas Mullally; Richard Hennessy, Cathal Beirne, Alan Murphy; Ciaran Kirwan, Ger Aylward, Charlie Phelan.

Subs: Darragh Hartley for E.Murphy, 45 mins; Dean Croke for Mullally, 55 mins; Shane Doherty for Phelan, 60 mins.

Thomastown: Diarmuid Galway; Peter Connellan, Ned Kirwan, Brian O’Hanrahan; Brian Staunton, Eddie Donnelly, Zach Bay Hammond; Jonjo Farrell, Peter McDonald; Robbie Donnelly, Luke Connellan, John Donnelly; Rory Connellan, Jack Holden, Alex Cass.

Subs: Thomas O’Hanrahan for R.Connellan, 35 mins; Naoise Dempsey for Cass, 43 mins; Colm Treacy for R.Donnelly, 54 mins; Dylan Waugh for Holden, 58 mins.

Referee: Julian O’Dwyer (Windgap)