Kilkenny CBC see off Good Counsel to win back to back Leinster Junior titles

Kilkenny CBC are Leinster Junior Hurling Champions for a second year on the trot after they ran out seven point winners over Good Counsel of New Ross in Fenagh last Wednesday afternoon.

The Kilkenny city side nabbed two goals in each half as their extra threat in attack told against a school that also included six players from Noreside in their starting lineup.

Conor McCormack, Jack Delaney, Harry Barcoe and Jake Barcoe all goaled for the CBC and while Joey Tobin proved to be huge threat for the opposition, the winners controlled the latter end of the game to win in some style come the final whistle.

There was also a great exhibition of goalkeeping on both sides with Sam O’leary and Rhys Duggan producing a number of brilliant saves.

Points from JJ Cahill and James Kavanagh gave the CBC the early advantage before corner forward Harry Barcoe went close with a goalbound attempt.

Robbie Kehoe replied with Good Counsel’s first score in the 8th minute and although the CBC briefly extended the margin of lead with a JJ Cahill 65, the New Ross outfit soon found their feet.

Four points on the spin from Joey Tobin, Oisin Roche, Adam Fitzpatrick and Sean Doyle helped turn the scoreboard on it’s head in favour of Good Counsel as they led 0-5 to 0-3 at the halfway mark of the opening half.

It then remained point for point until CBC grabbed the opening goal of the game when a long free from goalkeeper Rhys Duggan hovered around the danger zone before Jack Delaney got hold of the sliotar and flicked the ball to the net.

That levelled matters at 1-4 to 0-7 but the CBC were only getting going with a flowing team move ending with O’Loughlin Gaels star Conor McCormack netting a goal two minutes from the end of the half.

Joey Tobin and Robbie Kehoe replied with the final points of the opening period as CBC led by two at the break.

Good Counsel began to eat away at the deficit during the opening minutes of the second half with points from Tobin and Jamie Walsh reducing the deficit back to the minimum.

The Kilkenny duo of Sean Walsh and Sam Antonessa also had goal chances saved during this period before Joey Tobin eventually got the better of CBC stopper Rhys Duggan with a composed finish to the net.

That major allowed Good Counsel to open up a 1-13 to 2-8 advantage but instead of bouncing on that momentu, they went scoreless for almost 15 minutes as CBC took command.

Two quickfire goals from Harry Barcoe (Young Irelands) and Jake Barcoe (Barrow Rangers) all but settled the game in the Kilkenny city side’s favour as they scored 2-3 in quick succession.

Conor McCormack, JJ Cahill and goalkeeper Rhys Duggan via a free in his sown half all pointed in the dying stages as the CBC ran out convincing winners in the end.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny CBC- JJ Cahill (0-8, 5fs and 2 ‘65’s); Conor McCormack (1-3); Jack Delaney, Harry Barcoe, Jake Barcoe (1-0 each); Rhys Duggan (0-2, 2fs); James Kavanagh (0-1)

Good Counsel- Joey Tobin (1-7, 5fs and 2 ‘65’s); Robbie Kehoe (0-4); Sean Doyle, Oisin Roche, Adam Fitzpatrick, Jamie Walsh, Cian Kelly (0-1 each)

Kilkenny CBC- Rhys Duggan (Dicksboro); Conor Roche (Danesfort), Conor Henderson (Dicksboro), Andrew Donoghue (Barrow Rangers); Robbie Lacey (Dicksboro), Michael Meaney (Clara), Evan O’Dwyer (Bennettsbridge); Dylan Thornton (Lisdowney), James Kavanagh (Dicksboro); Conor McCormack (O’Loughlin Gaels), Jake Barcoe (Barrow Rangers), Jack Delaney (Dicksboro); Harry Barcoe (Young Irelands), JJ Cahill (O’Loughlin Gaels), Liam O’Brien (James Stephens).

Subs: Cian Ormond (Dicksboro) for Donoghue, 41 mins; Henry Sinnott (Danesfort) for O’Brien, 43 mins.

Good Counsel- Sam O’Leary; Caylum O’Sullivan, Sean Doyle, Barry Foley; Cathal Redmond, Jack Cullen, Pauraic Hayden (Graignamanagh); Robbie Kehoe, Oisin Roche (Rower Inistioge); Cian Kelly (Mullinavat), Joey Tobin, Jamie Walsh; Sean Doyle (Rower Inistioge), Sam Antonessa (Graignamanagh), Adam Fitzpatrick (Mullinavat).

Subs: Luke Redmond for Antonessa, 40 mins; Eddie Bolger (Mullinavat) for Walsh, 52 mins.

Referee- Seamie Doyle (Carlow)