Kilkenny SHL- Keoghan magic sees Tullaroan book league final spot

Tullaroan powered to the top of Group A of the St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League with a top class display against Bennettsbridge in Muckalee on Saturday afternoon.

This game had many highlights from a Tullaroan perspective, but none will better a brilliant 31st minute goal from Mossy Keoghan which opened up a four point gap between the sides, the largest margin since the start of the game.

Up to that point the exchanges had been pretty even with each side landing two points in the opening five minutes.

Bennettsbridge lost Jason Cleere to an injury early in the game, but his replacement Jack Campion made an immediate impression when he pointed just after Bill Gaffney had put Tullaroan ahead.

One minute later Campion had the ball in the back of the Tullaroan net after a brilliant 60 metre run from Kevin Blanchfield.

County colleagues David Blanchfield and Martin Keoghan were having a mighty tussle from the early stages of the game.

The Bridge defender won some great possession in the first quarter while his striking from frees delivered a brace of points in the opening half.

But, as the game entered the second quarter Mossie Keoghan’s influence grew with every passing minute.

His workrate, scoring and overall ability to bring other players into the game was yielding big dividends for Tullaroan.

At the other end of the pitch Tommy Walsh and Liam Blanchfield delivered another big tussle with the Tullaroan man coming out on top on this occasion.

An over-cooked pass to Liam Blanchfield from his brother Kevin almost brought a ‘Bridge goal on 22 minutes, with Blanchfield eventually having to settle for a point.

Dylan Simpson also played superbly for the winners and his long range striking brought three first half points.

His scoring was equally impressive in the second half.

Nicky Cleere’s free taking, aside from one miss, was marginally keeping the ‘Bridge just ahead of their opponents during the first half.

After Shane Walsh had put Tullaroan ahead in first half injury time – the first time they took the lead since the fourth minute – the same player won possession out on the wing.

Walsh still had plenty to do, but he quickly spotted the run of Martin Keoghan and his radar like delivery across the pitch was flicked into the ‘Bridge net by the diving Keoghan.

It was a goal worthy of any occasion and while Ciaran Brennan reduced the deficit with a late point, the winners led 1-12 to 1-9 at half-time.

One minute into the second half Bennettsbridge almost grabbed a second goal, but the alert Josh Moore cleared the ball off his goal line.

Ciaran Brennan popped over another point for Bennettsbridge in the fourth minute, but for much of the second half Tullaroan were the dominant side.

The ‘Bridge struggled to retain possession with at least six Tullaroan scores coming from easy turnover balls, particularly during the second half.

For the opening quarter the ‘Bridge handled the ball well, but thereafter they lost possession on numerous occasions.

They also struggled with many aspects of their short game, especially in defence.

The winners showed commendable energy during the second half and their ability to quickly turn defence into attack saw some superb points from Dylan Simpson, Gearoid Dunne and Bill Walton.

Shane Walsh continued to punish Bennettsbridge indiscretions with impeccable accuracy from frees.

This Tullaroan victory will give the side lots of momentum and belief entering the quarter-final stages of the championship in a couple of weeks.

The performance more so than the result leaves Bennettsbridge with plenty to ponder as they prepare for a first round championship game next weekend.

Teams and Scorers

Tullaroan: Shane Walsh (0-7, frees); Dylan Simpson (0-7, 0-3 frees); Martin Keoghan (1-2); Gearoid Dunne (0-4); John Walton, Bill Walton. Bill Gaffney and Padraig Walsh (0-1, each).

Bennettsbridge: Nicky Cleere (0-9, 0-8 frees); David Blanchfield (0-3, frees); Ciaran Brennan (0-3), Jack Campion (1-1); Liam Blanchfield and Enda Morrissey (0-1, each).

Tullaroan: Paul Buggy, Joe Coughlan, Tommy Walsh, Martin Walsh, Josh Moore, Padraig Walsh, Charlie Cleere, Bill Walton,
Jack Keoghan, Bill Gaffney, Martin Keoghan, Dylan Simpson, John Walton, Gearoid Dunne, Shane Walsh.

Subs (Used) – Ciallin Brennan and Jim Moore.

Bennettsbridge: Enda Cleere, Shane Byrne, Enda Morrissey, Timmy Kelly, Bill Hughes, David Blanchfield, Conor Murphy, Hugh
O’Neill, Kevin Blanchfield, Liam Blanchfield, Sean Morrissey, Ciaran Brennan, Nicky Cleere, James Hughes, Jason Cleere.

Subs (Used) – Jack Campion, Aidan Cleere, Jamie Harkin.

Referee – Brian Fox (O’Loughlin Gaels).