Kilkenny IHC- Blacks and Whites fight back to secure safety

No different to Erin’s Own in the senior grade, Blacks and Whites upset the odds as they defeated Carrickshock at a sunny Inistioge to maintain their intermediate status for another season.

Blacks and Whites had been beaten in every league game prior to this do or die affair but when it came down to it, they finished the better side and deservedly claimed the spoils.

For Carrickshock, it’s the same fate as a year ago where they narrowly got the better of O’Loughlin Gaels second string side to save their skin and they now must defeat Conahy on Saturday week or it will be relegation to the junior ranks for the South Kilkenny outfit.

The first half was very even with both teams fighting hard under the severe pressure pf playing to fight off relegation.

The ‘Shock went ahead early on through points from Eoin Crowley, Eoghan O’Neill and Jake O’Dwyer but it was an advantage they were unable to maintain as Blacks and Whites came back into the game to leave the sides level at 0-7 apiece by the half-time break.

Carrickshock had looked like they would get away at the start of the second half with points from Eoghan O’Neill and Jake O’Dwyer.

Those efforts were added to by a Kieran Conway goal which was a flowing move that saw John Power pop a pass to Padraig Lennon and the corner back fed Conway and he made no mistake in shooting past Keelin O’Grady in the Blacks and Whites goal.

That left Carrickshock five points to the good at that point but Blacks and Whites made little of their league form and various injuries as they battled back into the game.

Niall Kennedy was excellent on the frees throughout the game for Blacks and Whites and after back to back efforts brought the game back to three points, the Skeough based outfit had all the momentum and they got a massive lift when Kennedy then knocked over another point from play.

While Carrickshock still led heading into the final quarter, Blacks and Whites gradually began to get on top.

Ryan Murphy also had a big impact off the bench for the winning side and their determination told by the final whistle.

Murphy as well as Jamie and Jason Byrne contributed a point each to level up matters at 0-14 to 1-11 and while Eoghan O’Neill briefly edged the ‘Shock back in front, they had no answer to Blacks and Whites in the final few minutes.

Three successive place ball efforts from Ryan Murphy opened up a two point advantage and while Carrickshock got a point back before the end, the clock ran out on Shane Lanigan’ men in the end as Blacks and Whites survived to the jubilation of all their supporters.

Carrickshock created three goal chances themselves in the second half but they didn’t take them and that came back to bite them eventually as Blacks and Whites came from behind to lead late on.

The winners had some fine performers with Seanan Doyle and Sam Byrne both excelling in attack as Blacks and Whites got the better of Carrickshock for a second successive season.

Blacks and Whites - Keelin O’Grady; Jamie Ryan, Tommy Joyce, Michael Prendergast; Seanan Doyle, Paul Murphy, Niall Kennedy; John ‘Nipper Lennon, Martin Kelly; Jamie Byrne, Jack Kelly, James Kennedy; Daire Murphy, Sam Byrne, Jason Byrne.

Carrickshock - Jamie Power; Edward Dunphy, Niall Tennyson, Padraig Lennon; James Grace, John Power, Sean Moore; John Cahill, Edward Dwyer, Kieran Conway; Eoin Crowley, Eoghan O’Neill, Jake O’Dwyer.

Referee - John Walsh (Rower Inistioge)