Kilkenny SHC- Graigue Ballycallan maintain senior status at the expense of Lisdowney

Graigue Ballycallan will be playing senior hurling in Kilkenny for the 2026 season after they claimed a comprehensive win over Lisdowney at a wind affected Freshford on Saturday afternoon.

A pair of goals from Billy Ryan and another major from Conor Flynn helped Richie O'Neill's men turn on the style as they remarkably outscored their opponents 3-13 to 0-1 with the conditions at their back in the second period.

The game was a repeat of the same corresponding fixture from three years ago and throughout the opening half, Lisdowney looked like they might overturn that result as they played some very nice hurling and with Eoin Kenny goaling for them in the 15th minute they had a decisive advantage on the scoreboard.

As well as the free-taking of Brian Kavanagh, the likes of Niall Brennan, Kevin Sweeney and Willie Kenny all found the target from play and by half-time Lisdowney had seven points to spare.

That scoreline did come with a bit of a health warning all the same as Aidan Tallis was forced to produce a number of big saves from Aaron McEvoy and Jesse Roberts to keep the big lead intact.

Ballycallan wasted little time in eating into the 1-9 to 0-5 deficit upon the resumption with Tom Dunphy, Billy O'Neill, Tommy Ronan and Jesse Roberts all scoring in succession ad with Sean Ryan also knocking over the frees, the Lisdowney lead was quickly wiped out.

Add in Billy Ryan firing in his side's first goal in the 49th minute and the writing looked to be on the wall as Ballycallan began to go through the gears.

Two more goals quickly followed with Ryan again on target and big target man Conor Flynn also scoring past Aidan Tallis and from there it was exhibition stuff for the winners.

Lisdowney's only point of the second half arrived three minutes from time via Liam Dunphy and that was the tale of the tape really with the North Kilkenny outfit going down at the first time of asking.

Teams and Scorers

Graigue Ballycallan- Billy Ryan (2-1); Sean Ryan (0-5, 5fs); Tommy Ronan (0-4); Conor Flynn (1-1); Tom Dunphy (0-2); Billy O'Neill, Jeff Neary, Jesse Roberts, Ryan Corcoran, Shane Butler (0-1 each)

Lisdowney- Eoin Kenny (1-0); Brian Kavanagh (0-3, 3fs); Kevin Sweeney (0-3);  Liam Dunphy (0-2); Willie Kenny, Niall Brennan (0-1 each)

Graigue Ballycallan- Sean McGrath; Billy O'Neill, Tom Dunphy, Tommy Ronan; Colum Prendiville, Stephen Keoghan, Richie Keoghan; Jeff Neary, Jack Walton, Aaron McEvoy, Billy Ryan, Conor Flynn; Ryan Corcoran, Sean Ryan, Jesse Roberts.

Subs- Conor Murphy for Roberts, 47 mins; Killian Egan for Walton, 50 mins; Shane Butler for Corcoran, 56 mins; Bob Murphy for Flynn, 59 mins.

Lisdowney- Aidan Tallis; Lar Campion, Ben Tallis, Alan Dunphy; Michael Kenny, Niall Brennan, Richard McEvoy; David O'Carroll, Kevin Sweeney; Charlie Brennan, Liam Dunphy, Willie Kenny; Vinny Fitzpatrick, Brian Kavanagh, Eoin Kenny.

Subs- Cathal Jordan for Fitzpatrick, h-t; Eibhan McEvoy for W.Kenny, 54 mins.

Referee- Raymond Byrne