Kilkenny CBS claim derby win over All-Ireland champions St Kieran's

A tally of 1-12 from Patrick Lacey and two Zak Scanlon goals saw Kilkenny CBS get the better of St Kieran’s at the home of the All-Ireland champions during the final round-robin clash in the Corn UI Dhuill Leinster PPS Senior A Hurling Championship.

The winners came into this game on the back of defeat to Good Counsel but this was a much improved display and with St Kieran’s earlier dispatching of the New Ross outfit, the two Kilkenny schools have done enough to qualify for the Leinster semi-finals in the new year as a result of a superior score difference to the Wexford side.

Conditions were relatively ok for this all Kilkenny affair and it resulted in an end to end thriller with both teams giving it their all.

The Matthew Ruth coached CBS team looked in deep trouble early on after Kieran’s struck for three goals inside the opening quarter.

Noah Manogue, Eoghan Cahill and Eoin O’Brien all found the net during that blistering spell forKieran’s as they raced into a six point lead (3-2 to 0-5).

Patrick Lacey who was part of the Kilkenny minor team that reached this year’s All-Ireland decider was the leading light for the Patrick street school and with his scoring ability, Kieran’s were unable to bulid up a significant advantage on the scoreboard.

Lacey got CBS’s opening goal in the 21st minute after he pounced on a loose ball when an Anthony Clifford effort landed into his path really changed the momentum of the contest as they began to turn the tide.

It was then nip and tuck for the rest of the half with James O’Neill and Cian Phelan pointing from play for Kieran’s who had Noah Manogue toppig their scoring charts.

Lacey scored all but three of CBS’S 12 point first half total with Anthony Clifford, Ollie O’Donovan and Cian Byrne keeping them ticking over but the real game changing moment arrived when Zak Scanlon got the school’s second goal in first half stoppage time.

The well placed finish from the James Stephens youngster ensured CBS led 2-12 to 3-7 at the break but within minutes of the resumption, the corner forward was celebrating again as he shot past Luke Lawlor in the Kieran’s goal.

That gave the CBS a 3-14 to 3-8 lead by the 36th minute and although they only scored four more points in the remaining 20 minutes or so, they had enough in the tank to hold on and claim a signiifcant success.

Kieran’s will be happy at how they finished the game with points from Manogue, Ciallin Brennan and Eoghan Cahill giving them a fighting chance going down the stretch.

It’s still early days for both schools with much bigger challenges coming in the next few weeks but for now the CBS can enjoy the local bragging rights.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny CBS: Patrick Lacey (1-12, 0-7 frees and 0-1 ‘65); Zak Scanlon (2-0); Paddy O’Brien, Ollie O’Donovan (0-2 each); Cian Byrne, Anthony Clifford (0-1 each)

St Kieran’s College: Noah Manogue (1-8, 0-7 frees); Eoghan Cahill (1-1); Eoin O’Brien (1-0); Ciallin Brennan (0-3); James O’Neill (0-2) Cian Phelan (0-1)

Kilkenny CBS: Daniel McCormack (0’Loughlin Gaels); Luke Kerwick (Dicksboro), Oisin Henderson (Dicksboro), Conor Barcoe (Thomastown); Kealan Barcoe (Young Irelands), Josh Dowling (Erin’s Own), Patrick Purcell (Barrow Rangers); Donnchadh Hennessy (Dicksboro), Paddy O’Brien (John Lockes); Cian Byrne (O’Loughlin Gaels), Niall Drennan (Galmoy), Patrick Lacey (Dicksboro); Zak Scanlon (James Stephens), Anthony Clifford (Dicksboro), Ollie O’Donovan (John Lockes).

Subs used: Sam O’Shea (Dicksboro), Luke Staunton (De Le Salle).

St Kieran’s College: Luke Lawlor (Clara); Mikey Rohan (Carrickshock), Evan Murphy (Dicksboro), Conor Brophy (Erin’s Own); Bill O’Shea (Dicksboro), Sean Deely (James Stephens), Jim Conlon (Young Irelands); Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens), Noah Manogue (James Stephens); Cian Phelan (Young Irelands), James O’Neill (St Martin’s), Eoghan Cahill (Graigue Ballycallan); Eoin O’Brien (Rower Inistioge), Ciallin Brennan (Tullaroan), Bill McDermott (James Stephens).

Subs used: Jake Mullen (Shamrocks), Fionn Mahony (Danesfort), David Barcoe (Clara), Diarmuid Behan (James Stephens).

Referee: Owen Beehan (Fenians)