Kilkenny JHC- Big second half does the job for Galmoy against Kimacow

A powerful final surge saw Galmoy come from behind to pip Kilmacow in this pulsating JJ Kavanagh and Sons Premier Junior Hurling quarter-final at Clara on Sunday.

Backed by the breeze, Kilmacow set the early pace in this encounter and led 1-10 to 1-4 at half time. They were still in front 1-13 to 1-8 at the three quarter stage but Galmoy finished the game in top gear to hit some impressive goals and take the spoils.

Kilmacow began well with early points from danger man Johnny Hayes and a Sean Dowling free. Play was held up when Jason Stanley collided with Kilmacow goalkeeper Kieran Dowling but, upon resumption, Billy Drennan opened the Galmoy account in the 5th minute.

Pointed frees from Sean Dowling and James Walsh saw Drennan reply with a Galmoy free following a foul on Brandan Phelan.

James Walsh was going well up front for Kilmacow at this juncture and he grabbed a Sean Blanchfield cross to leave it 0-5 to 0-2 after 18 minutes.

A minute later, Niall Drennan passed a ball out to Kevin Duggan and he struck a great point from right off the right hand sideline for the northerners.

In the 25th minute, Johnny Hayes split the posts but two minutes later, when unmarked at the edge of the square, he collected a clever James Walsh cross and struck to the Galmoy net, Kilmacow 1-6 Galmoy 0-3.

Paddy Dollard then popped one over before Richie McNamara availed of some slack marking in the Galmoy defence and stroked over two in quick succession.

Billy Drennan pulled one back for Galmoy but it was all Kilmacow at this stage with James Walsh hitting his fourth in the 30th minute.

With time almost up, Kevin Duggan grabbed a Conor Grace delivery up the right wing and soloed in on goal before passing to Brandan Phelan who planted the sliotar in the bottom corner, to give Galmoy a lifeline as they hit the dressing room, Kilmacow 1-10 Galmoy 1-4 at the break.

Galmoy began with three Billy Drennan pointed frees after the break, two of them after fouls on centre back Conor Drennan, to reduce the gap.

Sean Dowling took a pass from Hayes and left it at 1-11 to 1-7. Paddy Dollard extended the Kilmacow advantage.

Conor Drennan was strong in defence now for Galmoy and he pointed from distance in the 40th minute.

Despite having wind advantage, Galmoy then went a full ten minutes without scoring but in the interim, Kilmacow were guilty of some wayward shooting and struck a number of wides.

James Walsh eventually registered for them in the 47th minute, 1-13 to 1-8 .

In the 50th minute, Oisin Phelan availed of a quick free along the ground by Conor Drennan to point from midfield and suddenly, Galmoy began to motor.

Their half-back line really stepped it up at this stage with Conor Drennan striking over two monster points, while Conor Grace got forward on the right wing to strike over an inspiring point on the run, 1-13 to 1-12 with seven minutes remaining.

It now began to happen for Galmoy. Oisín Phelan sent a delivery into the right corner where Kevin Duggan grabbed the sliotar down low, rounded his marker and after a brief solo rifled the top of the Kilmacow net.

Two minutes later, Callum Lonergan set Billy Drennan free and after dummying to his left, he picked his spot in the corner of the net, off his right.

Richie McNamara pulled one back for the League Finalists, but Galmoy finished on a high when Billy Drennan passed in to Brandan Phelan whose shot somehow deceived Kieran Dowling for Galmoy’s fourth goal.

Galmoy: Brian Kelly; Kieran Phelan, Nigel Stanley, Dylan Grace; Conor Grace (0-1), Conor Drennan (0-3),Gearóid Phelan; Sean Phelan, Ryan Murphy; Callum Lonergan, Billy Drennan (1-6, 0-4 frees), Brandan Phelan (2-0); Kevin Duggan (1-1), Jason Stanley, Niall Drennan.

Subs: Oisín Phelan (0-1) for Kieran Phelan, Brendan Phelan for Jason Stanley, Conor Darcy for Nigel Stanley and Frank Phelan for Oisín Phelan.

Kilmacow: Kieran Dowling; Calum Regan, Niall Bowe, Eoin Murray, Tom Butler; Fergal Suffin, Tadhg Connolly; Sean Dowling (0-2, 0-1f), Sean Blanchfield; Tom Reddy, James Walsh (0-5,0-2frees), Paddy Dollard (0-2); Johnny Hayes (1-2), Ian Ahearne, Richie McNamara (0-3).

Subs: Oisín O’Dwyer for Ian Ahearne, Aaron Cass for Tom Reddy, Jack O Neill for Sean Blanchfield, Lorcan Suffin for Callum Regan(inj.)

Referee: Julian O’Dwyer (Windgap).