Kilkenny IHC- Danesfort claim dramatic penalty success over Rower-Inistioge

Danesfort prevailed in a shoot out decider against Rower-Inistioge, following an epic battle that produced dramatic finishes both at the end of normal time and extra-time.

Rower-Inistioge were cruising to victory with five minutes of normal time remaining as they led by seven points (0-18 to 0-11), but Danesfort kept plugging away. Four unanswered points, followed by a last gasp goal from goalkeeper Paddy Hogan, brought about extra-time.

Danesfort were on the verge of victory towards the end of extra-time when they led by three points, but a Michael Galavan goal in the dying seconds brought the contest to a penalty shoot-out in which Danesfort emerged 3-0 on penalties.

The Rower led 0-13 to 0-7 at half-time with George Murphy and Pat Lyng dominant and outstanding in the half-back line. Their scoring tally came from Michael Galavan (0-5, 0-4 frees), Kevin Murphy and goalkeeper Paddy Lyng (frees) 0-2 each, plus points from Pat Lyng, Sean Lyster, Eoin O’Brien and Jim Ryan.

By the 43rd minute, Rower-Inistioge had stretched their lead to eight points (0-17 to 0-9) as Michael Galavan with two further frees, Kevin Murphy and the magnificent Eoghan Lyng added to their account.

However, further points from Colm Phelan and Cathal O’Neill narrowed the gap to six points (0-17 to 0-11) entering the final 10 minutes to give themselves hope, before another Michael Galavan free in the 53rd minute stretched the lead out to seven points (0-18 to 0-11).

Four points in a four minute spell between the 55th and 59th minutes suddenly narrowed the deficit to three points (0-18 to 0-15), as Daire O’Neill led the way in their revival with two long range points from play sandwiched in between points from a Paddy Hogan free and substitute Jake Cullen.

O’Neill surged upfield in the 59th minute, and he was fouled as Danesfort were awarded a free outside the 20 metre line.

Paddy Hogan came forward from his goalkeeping position, and his strike found the net as Danesfort amazingly drew level against the odds (0-18 to 1-15).

Rower-Inistioge led 0-22 to 1-18 at half-time in the first period of extra-time as points came from Eoghan Lyng (0-2), Michael Galavan (free) and Pat Lyng, while Danesfort’s tally was added to by a Ben Whitty free, 18-year-old minor Darragh Coverdale with a superb long range effort and substitute Sam Hayes.

Danesfort added four unanswered points in the second period of extra-time from Ben Whitty (two frees), Darragh Coverdale again and substitute Sam Hayes, and leading by three points two minutes into injury-time at the end of extra-time it appeared that they may have done enough (1-22 to 0-22).

However, there was a further twist as Rower-Inistioge landed a Hail Mary ‘hit and hope’ effort in around the Danesfort goalmouth. Their prayers were answered as Michael Galavan got the final touch as the ball scrambled over the goal line to force a penalty shootout.

The Hogan brothers Paddy and Richie scored Danesfort’s opening two penalties, as Rower-Inistioge missed their first two attempts, with Paddy Hogan saving Eoghan Lyng’s effort.

Ben Whitty’s effort was saved by Paddy Lyng but Michael Galavan struck his attempt over the crossbar, and it was left to Darragh Coverdale who played for the Danesfort minors 24 hours previously as he had the opportunity to be the match winning hero.

Coverdale had an outstanding game, and he stepped up as he brilliantly dispatched his penalty to send Danesfort into the semi-finals.

Teams and Scorers

Danesfort - Ben Whitty (0-8, all frees); Paddy Hogan (1-1, frees); Daire O’Neill (0-3); Colm Phelan, Cathal O’Neill, Darragh Coverdale (0-2 each); Anthony Ireland Wall, Jake Cullen, Sam Hayes, Adam Byrne (0-1 each)

Rower-Inistioge - Michael Galavan (1-9, 0-8 frees); Eoghan Lyng, Kevin Murphy (0-3 each); Pat Lyng, Paddy Lyng (0-2 each); Eoin O’Brien, Sean Lyster, Jim Ryan (0-1 each).

Danesfort - Paddy Hogan; Darren Booth, Diarmuid Phelan, Daire O’Neill; Cathal O’Neill, Paul Murphy, Darragh Coverdale; Cathal Kearney, Anthony Ireland Wall; Ben Whitty, Paddy Hickey, Colm Phelan; Richie Hogan, Robbie Walsh, Padraic Mullen.

Subs: Jake Cullen, Sam Hayes, Adam Byrne.

Rower-Inistioge - Paddy Lyng; Eoin Doyle, Ruairi Galavan, Ruaidhri Delaney; Shane Ryan, George Murphy, Pat Lyng; Joe Lyng, Jim Ryan; Eoghan Lyng, Eoin O’Brien, Michael Galavan; Kevin Murphy, Tom Murphy, Sean Lyster.

Subs: Eddie Prendergast, Joe Mulholland.

Referee - Eoin Hayes (Thomastown).