Kilkenny SHL- Mullinavat continue impressive run at Clara’s expense

Mullinavat advanced to the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Shield Final, and moved directly into the Kilkenny SHC Championship quarter final, following this hard-earned victory over Clara at Dunnamaggin.

Both sides were already safe from relegation prior to this Round Five contest at Dunnamaggin on Saturday afternoon last, but still produced a tight contest, with the result in doubt throughout.

Mullinavat got the opening two points of the game from Conor Walsh and Ger Malone, but when the dangerous Rory Glynn replied with a Clara point, it set the tone for the opening half.

John Walsh from play put Mullinavat two points clear, but scores from Conor Hoyne and a 100-metre strike from Martin O’ Connell levelled matters.

A John Walsh “65” put Mullinavat ahead, equalised by Chris Bolger.

Ger Malone (M) and Liam Ryan (C) exchanged scores, as did Oisin Knox (M) and a James Bergin free for Clara (0-6 each) after 17 minutes.

When Mullinavat goaled through Ger Malone after 19 minutes, following a good inward delivery by Ian Duggan, Clara’s Jack Langton responded at once, with a fine individual goal in response.

Mullinavat were three points clear by the interval thanks to late first half scores from Tom Aylward, both 100-metre-long range frees, along with a fine score from the sideline by Ger Malone.

Half time - Mullinavat 1-9; Clara 1-6.

The second half started in a similar pattern with a Mullina-vegas John Walsh score from 50 metres, responded to by a 70-metre score by Clara’s Martin O’Connell (1-10 to 1-7).

Another John Walsh free on 36 minutes put Vegas ahead, answered by two Clara points from Conor Hoyne and Matt Kenny.
Following a foul on Clara’s Paul Cody, who was now getting more involved in the game, Conor O’Shea pointed a free, to reduce the lead to one (1-10 to 1-11).

Padraig Dempsey, with a point, increased the Vegas lead, but the North Kilkenny men did go in front for the only time in the game when Rory Glynn got a goal on 44 minutes (2-10 to 1-12).

To their credit, the Mullinavat boys did not panic, and replied with two John Walsh frees, a fine individual Ger Malone score, and a further John Walsh “65”.

Mullinavat now led by three points (1-16 to 2-10) with just a minute left of normal playing time.

Both sides added a point before the finish, Clara with a Conor O’Shea free, and John Walsh with a “65” for the Vegas boys, after a Willie O’Dwyer goal attempt was saved by Clara ‘keeper Kevin Nolan.

Full time - Mullinavat 1-17; Clara 2-11.

So Mullinavat had done enough to reach a shield final versus Thomastown, and more importantly the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Quarter Finals, this for a tenth consecutive year, since their Senior Hurling promotion in 2015.

Best performers for the Vat men were Tom Aylward, Robin Davis and Padraig Dempsey in defence, along with strong forward showings from Ger Malone and John Walsh.

Clara will now play Bennetsbridge in the first round of the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship.

17 wides proved costly in this contest where Jack Langton, Martin O’Connell, Matt Kenny, Dara Glynn, Conor Hoyne, Liam Ryan, and Rory Glynn stood out.

Mullinavat: Sean Fitzpatrick, Bill Dempsey, Tom Aylward (0-2, frees), Robin Davis, Ian Duggan (JC), Padraig Dempsey (0-1), George O’Connor (JC), Adam Mansfield, Joe Gahan (0-1), Michael Malone, John Walsh (0-7, 3 frees, 3 “65s), Conor Walsh (0-1), Oisin Knox (0-1), Ger Malone (1-4), Brian Phelan.

Subs: Willie O’Dwyer for Brian Phelan, Pauraic Gahan for Billy Dempsey, Conor Power for Oisin Knox, Peter McDonald for Padraig Dempsey (blood sub), Peter McDonald for Michael Malone.

Clara: Kevin Nolan (captain), Harry Boyle, Jack Langton (1-0), Sean O’Shea, Martin O’Connell (0-2), Shane Staunton, Matt Kenny (0-1, “65”), Darragh Glynn, Conor Hoyne (0-2), Paul Cody, Conor O’Shea (0-2, frees), Liam Ryan (0-1), Rory Glynn (1-1), Chris Bolger (0-1), James Bergin (0-1).

Sub: Joe Connolly.

Referee: Richard Holland (Tullaroan)