ROUND-UP: Kilkenny intermediate and junior leagues serve up thrillers
Supporters flocked to Kilkenny club games across the county on Sunday
The opening round of the Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate and JJ Kavanagh Junior Hurling Leagues continued on Sunday with teams bidding for a positive start to their campaigns.
In St John’s Park, Tullogher Rosbercon and St Martin’s delivered six goals in the southerners’ 4-19 to 2-15 win.
Despite Tullogher Rosbercon’s ten point winning margin, the game was highly entertaining in large parts, with a strong closing quarter putting a gloss on the scoreboard.
The teams were neck and neck in the opening 11 minutes and were deadlocked five times.
Eventually, St Martin’s threw the first punch with Dan Comerford tapping to the net after a looping delivery from Jamie Morrissey (1-7 to 0-7 after 12 minutes).
The teams traded scores for the remainder of the half and were only separated by a single point at half-time. Shane Kinsella frees proved critical for the Muckalee men (1-10 to 0-11).
Tullogher Rosbercon started the second half with real intent, eager to turn the pendulum in their favour.
Leigh O’Brien’s team bagged a goal after just 30 seconds. A razor sharp pass from Marty Murphy found the hurl of Danny Glennon at the back post who raised another green flag (2-12 to 1-10).
St Martin’s hit back with two points from Sean Hunt and Oisin Kelly (f) but further goals from Glennon and Marty Murphy left no way back as the game petered out to a conclusion.
Despite a late consolation goal from a long distance free courtesy of Shane Kinsella, there was little doubt where the points were going.
Meanwhile, at junior level, there was two contrasting games in Section A.
In Danesfort, Kilmacow’s dream opening match became a nightmare as a strong wind did little to help their bid to take the points against the Emeralds.
Having lead by four points (0-10 to 0-6) at the break, the Urlingford men stormed back to win by double scores (1-23 to 0-13) with Kilmacow only raising three white flags in the second period.
Darragh Quelly and Conor Martin dominated the scoring, while Jimmy Cleere netted just before the hour mark to give the winners a bit to spare by full-time.
In Piltown, John Lockes began their season on a winning note against Graignamanagh, albeit by the skin of their teeth (1-18 to 1-17).
Youth was key to the Callan men’s win, as the youthful Tomas Roche was given free taking responsibility and well and truly delivered (0-7f).
Another young prodigy, Ollie O’Donovan, put his stamp on the match within seconds as the lively forward fired to the net (1-0 to 0-0).
John Lockes appeared to be cruising at 1-13 to 0-2 at half-time with Steven Kinsella and Michael Bolger points all the ‘Graig supporters had to cheer about.
However, Graig battled back admirably, hitting two strong purple patches where they outscored John Lockes 1-6 to 0-1 in the final 15 minutes.
The goal from Shamie Kavanagh arrived deep in stoppage time but wasn’t enough to snatch a dramatic victory.
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