Kilkenny SHC- Dicksboro survive late Graigue Ballycallan comeback

Dicksboro escaped the threat of relegation courtesy of their four point win over Graigue Ballycallan in this hard hitting St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Relegation Semi Final at Páirc Lachtain on Saturday.

Dicksboro enjoyed a tonic start when, after just five minutes, Timmy Clifford showed a clean pair of heels to the Graigue defenders as he sped through the middle of their defence before shooting low past Sean McGrath.

Liam Moore took a pass from Joe Sheehan and the city boys led 1-2 to 0-2, the Graigue Ballycallan scores coming from a long range strike by Stephen Keoghan and a Sean Ryan free.

‘Boro captain Darragh Holohan came to his side’s rescue in the 11th minute when he saved three goalbound efforts in quick succession. He denied both Ryan Corcoran and Aaron McEvoy who shot from close range, while also repelling a long range shot from Richie Keoghan.

Backed by the strong breeze, Graigue Ballycallan enjoyed a better second quarter with Aaron McEvoy pointing twice from play while Billy O Neill made full use of the elements as he converted three long range frees.

Shane Stapleton pulled one back from a free won by Liam Moore before taking a pass from Patrick Lacey and again splitting the posts.

The last score of the half was a fine point by Billy Ryan, who struck while off balance, but his aim was true, to level the sides up at the interval, Dicksboro 1-5 Graigue Ballycallan 0-8.

It was straight after the break when Dicksboro made the greatest imprint on this game.

Soon after the throw in, Eoin Fennelly passed a ball to Cillian Buckley who delivered long into his opponents goalmouth, where the inrunning Shane Stapleton got a touch to flick the sliotar past Sean McGrath.

That spurred on the Palmerstown outfit and with the aid of the breeze they gained momentum.

Cillian Hackett and Timmy Clifford pointed before Jesse Roberts pulled one back for the Kilmanagh boys. It was courtesy of an Aaron McEvoy pass, who, minus his hurley, had flicked the sliotar to hand with his foot while on the run.

Dicksboro were buoyant now and led by eight points 2-12 to 0-10 by the 48th minute, their 12th point coming after a great run by the flying Cillian Buckley, who offloaded to Timmy Clifford to apply the finishing touch.

Sean Ryan and man of the match, Shane Stapleton exchanged a brace of frees before Dicksboro lost a man to a second yellow in the 54 th minute. This was the spark for Graigue Ballycallan to mount a late fightback.

Great work by Billy Ryan then won a free in the 57th minute and he made no mistake in driving that free to the ‘Boro net to narrow the gap to six points, 2-15 to 1-12.

Graigue stepped it up and constant pressure yielded three 65s in succession ,which were all dropped into the square by Billy O Neill.

Some heroic defending however, from the likes of Eoin Fennelly, who was excellent all through, and Padraig Moylan kept the Ballycallan men at bay, although they did have late points from Aaron McEvoy and Ryan Corcoran.

Dicksboro: Darragh Holohan; Niall Rowe, Padraig Moylan, Mark Nolan; Eoin Fennelly, Cillian Buckley, Eoghan Moylan (0-1); Ollie Walsh, Joe Sheehan; Timmy Clifford (1-2), Liam Moore (0-1), James Carroll; Cillian Hackett (0-2), Shane Stapleton (1-9, 0-5 frees), Patrick Lacey.

Subs: Evan Cody for Eoghan Moylan (inj.) and Aran Murphy for Shane Stapleton 57 mins

Graigue Ballycallan: Sean McGrath; Jeff Neary, Tom Dunphy, Richie Keoghan; Billy O’Neill (0-3 frees), Stephen Keoghan (0-1), Jack Walton; Colum Prendeville, Billy Ryan (1-1,1-0 free); Jesse Roberts (0-1), Tommy Ronan, Sean Ryan (0-3 frees); Ryan Corcoran (0-1), Conor Flynn, Aaron McEvoy (0-3).

Subs: Eoghan Cahill (0-1) for Jesse Roberts 40mins and Shane Butler for Colum Prendeville 56 mins.

Referee: Owen Beehan (Fenians)