Kilkenny SHL- Mullinavat grab big derby success over Shamrocks

Mullinavat made home advantage count as they claimed a decisive seven point success over Shamrocks on Saturday night.

A goal late on from Mick Malone gave the hosts some breathing space but it was a result that they deserved for their overall display.

In what proved to be a cracking encounter, the sides shared four first half goals with efforts from Ger Malone and Brian Phelan giving the winners the edge.

At that stage it was Eoin Cody who was doing most of the damage for the Shamrocks as he scored 1-5 with his goal coming from the very first attack of the game.

The likes of TJ Reid and Paddy Mullen then got their first league action of the second half and both found their range but ultimately Mullinavat had enough in the tank to see the result home which assures them of championship safety.

Shamrocks have had a couple of disappointing results lately and with a win needed to avoid the battle for the drop, they raced out of the blocks with Eoin Cody goaling within 15 seconds.

The lead didn’t last long though with Mullinavat getting the next five points on the trot courtesy of John Walsh providing a trio of efforts as well as Oisin Knox and Ger Malone.
A couple of Cody scores brought the Ballyhale club level but he was very much leading a lone furrow in attack at times.

Mullinavat then hit two goals in the space of five minutes as they caught the Shamrocks defence off guard.

The first effort was forced in by full forward Ger Malone after he was earlier denied on multiple occasions by good defending near the line.

That left ‘Vat 1-8 to 1-4 in front and the four point advantage soon became a seven one when a long ball into teh square by Adam Mansfield was flicked home by Brian Phelan who got to the sliotar before Shamrocks stopper Dean Mason.

Shamrocks looked in real bother at this stage but Cian Cullen did force in another goal before the break and they definitley weren’t out of the game with only five points seperating the sides ((2-11 to 2-6).
The introduction of a couple of their more established stars at the break gave the railing side an immediate boost and TJ was barely on the field 60 seconds when he knocked over a point for his side.

To their credit however Mullinavat managed to keep their noses in front throughout the second 30 minutes and while Shamrocks got within a puck of the ball on a number of occasions, the home side were able to respond with a score of their own.

The game was eventually put to bed when a goal from Mick Malone which was originally given as a square ball was overturned when Gavin Quilty talked to his umpires and confirmed the three point score that broke the Shamrocks resistance.

A huge win for Mullinavat who had star performers all over the field and with one round of league games still to be played, they are very much looking up the table while in contrast Shamrocks know their fate lies in the bottom two of the group.

Teams and Scorers

Mullinavat: John Walsh (0-7, 4fs); Ger Malone (1-3); Mick Malone (1-2); Brian Phelan (1-1) Oisin Knox (0-4); Ian Duggan, Adam Mansfield, Conor Walsh (0-1 each)

Shamrocks: Eoin Cody (1-9, 4fs); Cian Cullen (1-0); Niall Shortall, TJ Reid (0-2 each); Evan Shefflin, Paddy Mullen, Chris Coady (0-1 each)

Mullinavat: Sean Fitzpatrick; Bill Dempsey, Tom Aylward, Robin Davis; Ian Duggan, Padraig Dempsey, George O’Connor; Adam Mansfield, Joe Gahan; Mick Malone, John Walsh, Conor Walsh; Oisin Knox, Ger Malone, Brian Phelan.

Subs: Willie O’Dwyer for Phelan, 48 mins; Padraic Gahan for J.Gahan, 51 mins; Conor Power for Knox, 56 mins.

Shamrocks: Dean Mason; Brian Butler, Killian Corcoran, Larry Cody; Joey Holden, Richie Reid, Liam Barron; Chris Coady, Evan Shefflin; Stephen Barron, Niall Shortall, Cian Cullen; John Fitzpatrick, Eoin Cody, Finnian Shefflin.

Subs: Paddy Hearne for Butler, 25 mins; TJ Reid for Cullen, h-t; Paddy Mullen for L.Cody, h-t; Conor Walsh for S.Barron, h-t; Jack Holden for E.Cody, 54 mins.

Referee: Gavin Quilty (Slieverue)