Kilkenny IHC- Strong second half performance sees Gowran grab final berth

For the first time since suffering relegation from the senior grade over a decade ago, Young Irelands are into an Intermediate County Final after claiming a two point victory over Danesfort on Saturday afternoon.

It was a game that was played in difficult conditions and could have went either way come the windup but helped by Ted Drea and Sean Carey excelling in attack, the Gowran side did enough to advance.

Despite trailing 0-14 to 0-11 at the end of a high scoring opening period, Young Irelands turned in an excellent second half display as they restricted the 2022 champions to only four points in total.

As well as Drea and Carey who contributed ten points from play between them, the Barry Power managed Gowran outfit had big performances from Kilkenny star Mikey Carey who was influential in driving forward for the match sealing winner , Bobbie Brennan and Seamus Farrell.

Despite being second best for much of the second best, Danesfort still had a pair of opportunities to possibly force extra-time but late efforts from Paddy Hogan and Padraic Mullen went wide of the goal.

There was a very open feel to the opening few minutes as after Anthony Ireland Wall pointed in the first few seconds, there was still another nine points before we even reached the 10th minute.

Successive scores from Ireland Wall who was hugely destructive in the opening period, Richie and Paddy Hogan left Danesfort 0-6 to 0-4 ahead before Gowran then battled back on level terms with efforts from Killian Carey and Ted Drea.

It then remainied score for score until Danesfort began to get on top near the end of the half with Richie Hogan really coming to the fore.

Scores by Sean Carey and Jake Byrne kept Gowran in touch but Danesfort remained the side very much in command when Richie Hogan, Des Dunne and Cathal Kearney ended the scoring for the half as the side in black and amber went into the break with a 0-14 to 0-11 advantage.

In spite of the tough conditions, with the wind blowing across the field, the first 30 minutes was a very enjoyable end to end affair but the scores were more at a premium in the second period.

Within five minutes of the resumption, Gowran had wiped out the Danesfort lead through a Ted Drea score from play and back to back Sean Carey frees.

The two sides then both went through a spell of missing chances in a game where they hit a combined 30 wides in total and Gowran will certainly need to brush up on that part of their game ahead of the final.

After that scrappy spell of missed opportunites, Sean Carey and Padraig Naddy edged Young Irelands in front but it was only brief joy as Danesfort replied via Richie Hogan and Paddy Hickey.

A point for Gowran from Jim Conlon levelled the sides for a seventh time but Danesfort were soon back in front when Richie Hogan knocked over the last of his points.

Unfortuatley for the ‘Fort, it turned out to be the team’s last point aswell as Gowran kept them scoreless for the final 10 minutes of play.

Two Sean Carey points first levelled and then gave Gowran the lead though Danesfort still had chances late on but they went astray and Mikey Carey then produced an inspirational catch in his own defence before embarking on a Ciaran Carey style run before being fouled for which his brother Sean converted the free that settled the game in Young Irelands favour.

Teams and Scorers

Young Irelands - Sean Carey (0-9, 0-5 frees); Ted Drea (0-5); Seamus Farrell (0-2); Killian Carey, Padraig Naddy, Jake Byrne, Jim Conlon (0-1 each)

Danesfort - Richie Hogan (0-7, 0-6 frees); Anthony Ireland Wall, Cathal Kearney (0-3 each); Paddy Hogan (0-2, 0-2 frees); Paddy Hickey (0-2); Jake Cullen (0-1)

Young Irelands - Jason Brennan; Geoff Brennan, Bobbie Brennan, Sean Farrell; Michael Walsh, Mikey Carey, Paddy Langton; Killian Carey, Padraig Naddy; Jake Byrne, Seamus Farrell, Padraig O’Neill; Sean Carey, Ted Drea, Jim Conlon.

Subs: Diarmuid Langton for O’Neill, 42 mins; Jack Brennan for Byrne, 46 mins; Tommy Phelan for K Carey, 52 mins; Pat Farrell for Walsh, 55 mins.

Danesfort - Paddy Hogan; Darren Booth, Diarmaid Phelan, Daire O’Neill; Des Dunne, Paul Murphy, Darragh Coverdale; Cathal O’Neill, Anthony Ireland Wall; Brian McDonald, Cathal Kearney, Colm Phelan; Richie Hogan, Robbie Walsh, Paddy Hickey.

Subs: Eanna O’Casaide for C.Phelan, 21 mins; Sam Hayes for Booth, 45 mins; Jake Cullen for McDonald, 55 mins; Padraic Mullen for O’Casaide, 58 mins.

Referee - Michael O’Sullivan (Shamrocks).