Kilkenny SHL: 'Maybe it's a good sign' - Thomastown stalwart on team's secret ingredient

Thomastown centre-back Eddie Donnelly believes an extra layer of resilience has been instilled in Thomastown as they continue their quest to retain the senior county championship.

Noel Doherty won their first championship in the top tier for the first time in almost 80 years last year and it's so far, so good for the Grennan side in 2025, having won all three games in Group B so far. Impressively, in doing so, they have battled back from half-time deficits to Tullaroan and Mullinavat to pick up crucial league points.

"A couple of years ago it would have been said it (resilience) wouldn't have been in this team but we have a bit of resilience built up in us now and we keep coming back so yeah, maybe it's a good sign," Donnelly said after the match.

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Match Report by John Power - There is a much quoted phrase winners learn how to win and that’s probably the reason why 2024 county champions Thomastown emerged victorious over Mullinavat at Callan on Saturday.

Trailing by 2-10 to 0-7 five minutes into the second half of this senior hurling league contest the ’Town refused to panic and outscored Mullinavat by 15 points to two from there to the finish.

It’s now three games and six points on the league table for the 2024 county senior hurling champions. As for Mullinavat, there are some worries!

Last week they surrendered an eight minute second half lead to Graigue-Ballycallan to finish with a draw. This time a nine point second half lead resulted in a four point loss. However, there were positives here as well.

Unlike in last October’s county senior semi-final defeat to the same opposition, this time the Vegas lads were in the contest right up to the finish.

Thomastown opened the scoring with an opening minute Robbie Donnelly free. Two John Walsh frees had Mullinavat ahead by the sixth minute. 

On 11 minutes Thomastown were 0-4 to 0-2 clear with a pointed free followed by Stephen Donnelly and Naoise Waldron scores from play.

Two John Walsh frees, along with a 65, restored Mullinavat’s lead by the 18th minute.

Thomastown points from Colm Treacy, a Robbie Donnelly free and a Naoise Waldron point had the ’Town back in the lead (0-7 to 0-5).

By the interval the Vegas lads were four points clear with points from Brian Phelan, a distance free from Johnny Walsh, a Ger Malone point from beyond midfield and a kicked goal  from Brian Phelan. The goal was the result of a long inward delivery from Conor Walsh, and a swivel and kick by a falling Phelan, showing the kind of improvisation that has Mullinavat as current Gaelic football kingpins in Kilkenny.

At half-time Mullinavat had 1-8 on the board to Thomastown’s 0-7.

Mullinavat made a rapid start to the new half when a John Walsh inbound strike from 60 metres after just 15, went all the way to the Thomastown net.

When Michael Malone and Conor Walsh added points in the following couple of minutes, Mullinavat were now nine clear (2-10 to 0-7).

Thomastown refused to panic and they slowly but surely suppressed the Vegas attacking options.

Scores from Colm Treacy, Stephen Donnelly, Luke Connellan and a Robbie Donnelly (free) made it 0-11 to 2-10.

A pointed free from substitute CJ Fitzpatrick on 15 minutes, CJ having replaced John Walsh, stopped the rot temporarily, but Thomastown were gaining control, particularly from their half-back and midfield areas.

Five Stephen Donnelly points (three from frees), along with scores from Colm Treacy, a match equalising score by Robbie Donnelly, a lead point by Brian Staunton and a Peter McDonald white flag left it 0-19 to 2-11.

Michael Malone on 30 minutes got a Vegas point to reduce the margin to a single score but Thomastown still had momentum.
In the five minutes added time period further points from John Donnelly, Peter McDonald and Stephen Donnelly gave Thomastown a fully merited four point victory, 0-22 to 2-12.

Thomastown had strong performances from Brian Staunton, Eddie Donnelly, Robbie Donnelly, Naoise Dempsey, Stephen Donnelly and Colm Treacey.

Mullinavat had fine displays from Tom Aylward, George O’Connor and Pauraic Gahan in defence.

They struggled up front with the exception of full forward Brian Phelan who was often asked to plough a lone furrow up front, and was very successful in doing so. 

Thomastown: Robbie Donnelly (0-9, 0-6 frees), Colm Treacy (0-3), Stephen Donnelly (0-3), Peter
McDonald (0-2), Naoise Dempsey (0-2), Luke Connellan (0-1), Brian Staunton (0-1), John Donnelly (0-1).

Mullinavat: John Walsh (1-6, 0-6 frees), Brian Phelan (1-1), Michael Malone (0-2), Ger Malone (0-1), Adam Mansfield (0-1), CJ Fitzpatrick (0-1, free).

Referee: Brian Fox.

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