Kilkenny GAA- Dunnamaggin strike late to take junior league honours

Dunnamaggin, appearing in the Junior A league final for a third consecutive year, made it two wins from three - the other was in 2023 - with a single point victory in the Junior A league final at Mullinavat.

On a lovely afternoon for hurling, and on an excellent surface, this was a well contested game between two local rivals.

The sides were tied at 0-3 each after the opening 10 minutes, Conor Lawton and two Ruaidhri Holden frees for Dunnamaggin, Stephen Barron (free), Liam Barron and a lovely distance point from midfield by Conor Walsh for Shamrocks.

Conor Lawton got a Dunnamaggin goal soon afterwards, this, following a Ruaidhri Holden goal effort being well saved.

A Holden pointed free followed, making it 1-4 to 0-3. 

Shamrocks had their best spell of the game between the 16th and 23rd minutes, shooting five unanswered points, to take the lead 0-8 to 1-4.

Two scores from play by Larry Cody splitting three frees by Stephen Barron.

Dunnamaggin regained their lead with two scores from the lively Noah Cahill and a Ruaidhri Holden 65.

Cian Cullen (BS) and Anthony Kearney (D) exchanged points before a Stephen Barron free closed out the first half scoring.

At half-time Dunnamaggin led the Shamrocks by the bare minimum (1-8 to 0-10).

Holden (free) and Stephen Barron free exchanged scores early in the new half, before the same two players repeated the feat a few minutes later.

Stephen Barton levelled the game before Dunnamaggin recorded a vital second goal in the 42nd minute.

The ball broke perfectly for Dunnamaggin, and Kieran Bergin made no mistake from close range (2-10 to 1-13).

It was end-to-end from here to the finish and when Larry Cody goaled with two minutes remaining, levelling matters (1-16 to 2-13) it looked like the sides were heading for extra-time. However, a late point by Dunnamaggin captain Anthony Kearney meant that he would be the one receiving the Junior A League trophy for 2025.

Dunnamaggin had fine performances from goalie Cathal Walsh, Jack Brett, Ruaidhri Holden, Kieran Bergin, Anthony Kearney and Conor Lawton.

Shamrocks were unlucky losers with players like Brian Butler, Colin Walsh, Larry Cody along with Stephen and Liam Barron, giving their best throughout.

Both sides should be there or thereabouts come the 2025 Junior A championship.

Teams and Scorers

Dunnamaggin - Ruaidhri Holden (0-7, 0-5 frees); Conor Lawton, Kieran Bergin (1-1 each); Anthony

Kearney (0-3); Noah Cahill (0-2).

Shamrocks Ballyhale - Stephen Barron (0-9, 0-6 frees); Larry Cody (1-2); Conor Walsh (0-2, 0-1 65); Liam Barron, Cian Cullen, Luke Donnelly (0-1 each).

Dunnamaggin - Cathal Walsh; Sean Lawton, Jack Brett, Pierce Costello; Jamie Tallon, Alex Moore, Jimmy O’Neill; Colin Fitzpatrick, Ross O’Neill; Dylan Crehan, Kieran Bergin Ruaidhri Holden; Noah Cahill, Anthony Kearney (captain), Conor Lawton.

Subs: Killian Tallon, Kieran Buckley, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Cathal Buckley, Mick Costello, Conor Aylward, Colin Herity, David Moore, Sean Carroll, JJ Dunphy, John Hayes, Eoin Sheil, Ciarán Hickey, Thomas Deegan, Liam Davis.

Selectors: Tom McCormack, Andrew O’Neill, PJ O’Keeffe.

Shamrocks Ballyhale - Patrick Hearne; Cian Walsh, Brian Butler, Tom Cleere; Gavin Butler, Conor Walsh, Cian Cullen; Luke Donnelly, Larry Cody; Liam Barron, Stephen Barron; Jack Holden, Rian Shefflin, Kevin Fennelly, Conor Phelan (captain).

Subs: Sean Shefflin for Jack Holden, Liam Fitzpatrick for Brian Butler (blood injury), Michael Kenneally, Sean Reade, John Shortall, Sean Óg O’Farrell.

Manager: Enda Fitzpatrick. Selectors: Pat Cullen, Patrick Phelan, Sean Reid.

Referee - Paul Whelan (Mullinavat).