Kilkenny IHL- Freshford maintain their status with win over St Martin's

The disappointment of an indifferent league campaign was done away with as St Lachtain’s (Freshford) scored a comprehensive victory over St Martin’s (Muckalee) in the opening round of this year’s intermediate hurling championship, which doubled as a relegation semi-final, in Ballyragget on Sunday afternoon.

Three early points for St Lachtain’s from Cathal O’Leary (two frees) and Paddy Killeen gave the winners an early advantage which they would hold for most of the game.

Sean Hunt landed a point for St Martin’s on eight minutes but they really needed to work the scoreboard better given the scale of the breeze.

The game turned strongly in favour of the winners five minutes later when Cathal O’Leary won possession. He got inside the St Martin’s defence and spotted the unmarked Stephen Donnelly.

Well teed up, the full-forward finished impressively for the game’s opening goal.

One minute later the second St Lachtain’s goal arrived. A delightful flick from Cathal O’Leary to a low delivery saw the inrushing Darragh Maher control the sliotar to shoot low past Oisin Kelly.

Martin’s came much more into the game in the second quarter, helped by a better workrate, showing an urgency that was absent in the opening quarter.

Shane Kinsella’s free-taking was important, with Jamie Morrissey and Jack Coogan landing further points.

It got better for St Martin’s on 26 minutes when Sean Hunt hit a ground shot to the St Lachtain’s net after goalkeeper Oisin Kelly’s puckout landed in the opposing goal area.

That goal left the margin between the sides at the minimum. Lachtain’s responded with a brace of points from Cian Donnelly and a Cathal O’Leary free, with Shane Kinsella concluding the first half scoring with another pointed free to see the winners ahead 2-7 to 1-8 at the break.

Despite the deteriorating conditions the teams served up an entertaining second half with greater intensity from both sides very evident.

Martin’s needed a good start, but it was their opponents who quickly availed of the breeze to land a third goal with a delightful flick from Shane Donnelly to Cathal O’Leary giving Oisin Kelly no chance in the St Martin’s goal.

Three unanswered points for Martin’s from Shane Kinsella (free), Adam Comerford and Oisin Kelly (free) brought the margin back to three points on 37 minutes.

The St Martin’s defence came under strong pressure in the second half, but they battled gallantly especially the outstanding Colin Hayes and Brian Coady.

Donal Shore put in a powerful performance at midfield also, but with the winners enjoying so much possession further scores were inevitable.

A fourth goal arrived on the cusp of full-time and again Cathal O’Leary was the instigator.

Oisin Kelly brilliantly saved O’Leary’s blistering shot only for the ball to break well for Darragh Maher to score his second goal.

The team work from the Freshford side was superb from the opening moments of the game and after a dismal league, this win will energise the team for next weekend’s challenge with Young Irelands (Gowran).

Martin’s know that a big improvement will be needed against Fenians in the upcoming relegation final if they are to avoid a drop to the Junior Premier grade.

Teams and Scorers

St. Lachtain’s - Cathal O’Leary (1-10, 0-8 frees); Darragh Maher (2-1); Shane Donnelly (1-0); Cian Donnelly (0-2) Paddy Killeen (0-1).

St. Martin’s - Shane Kinsella (0-6, frees); Sean Hunt (1-1); Adam Comerford, John Mulhall, Jack Coogan; Jamie Morrissey (0-1, each).

St. Lachtain’s - Darren Brennan; Simon Rafter, Criomhthann Bergin, Shane Dawson; Padraig Donnelly, Cathal Hickey, Brian Kennedy; Brendan Quinn, Mark Donnelly; Alexander Rafter, Darragh Maher, Cathal O’Leary; Paddy Killeen, Shane Donnelly, Cian Donnelly.

Subs: Alan Rafter for S Donnelly, 57 mins; Conor Donnelly for S Rafter, 59 mins; Conor Dalton for Alexander Rafter, 59 mins; Jerry Bergin for P Donnelly 62 mins.

St Martin’s: Oisin Kelly; Tristan Roche, Ciaran Nolan, Matthew Bolger; Colin Hayes, Micheal Keane, Brian Coady; Shane Kinsella, Donal Shore; Adam Comerford, Daniel Comerford, Jamie Morrissey; Jack Coogan, Sean Hunt, James O’Neill.

Subs – Brian Byrne for Nolan 14 mins; Matthew Shortall for M Keane 46 mins; Russell Kealy for A Comerford 52 mins; John Mulhall for D Comerford 52 mins.

Referee – David Hughes (Barrow Rangers).