Kilkenny IHC: Holden saves Young Irelands from drop as Mooncoin go back junior

Their biggest score getter all season, Paul Holden, rifled Young Irelands (Gowran) to safety in this fiercely fought intermediate hurling championship relegation final in wet Ballyhale.

Holden buried a nerve testing penalty in the 48th minute to punish a foul on Sean Kehoe and edge his side 2-11 to 2-8 clear. Holden's nerve was really tested when the taking of the penalty was delayed while a defender received attention to an injury, but the ice-cool free taker drilled a powerful shot high into the net.

When Mooncoin conceded a point to sub, Dick Carroll almost immediately, all of a sudden the game began to ebb away from them after a mighty effort to avoid the drop back to the junior grade next season.

The losers pulled back points through John Fitzgerald and Patrick Walsh. However, 'Irelands finished well and a point from the strong hurling J.P. Treacy was followed by a goal from Sean Kehoe after a daring, defence shredding run by Sean Carey, to secure their status as an intermediate club.

The opening half was a hard fought affair. At the rest the teams were divided by a third minute goal from Sean Carey, with wind back Young Irelands showing 1-5 to 0-5 in front.

SCORERS: Young Irelands - Paul Holden (1-6); Sean Kehoe (1-1); J.P. Treacy (0-3); Sean Carey (1-0); Chris Nolan (0-2); Ted Drea, Dick Carroll (0-1 each). Mooncoin - Paul Hennebry (1-2); Patrick Walsh (0-4); Kevin Crowleyh (1-1); John Fitzgerald (0-2); Martin O'Neill, Ray Wall (0-1 each).