​Graignamanagh overcome Windgap in chaotic junior hurling clash

This JJ Kavanagh and Sons Premier Junior Hurling second-round championship tie had everything any spectator wanted - commitment, skill, great scores, goals-ten of them, penalties, extra time.

Until two minutes to go, to the final, final whistle, there was no easily predictable result as a possible decision by penalties loomed.​ The match was played in perfect conditions in front of a large crowd on a lovely warm, sunny day at the ever-expanding and facilities-improving Shamrocks grounds in Ballyhale.

It saw Graignamanagh hit the jackpot and a quarter-final place with two late goals after a memorable game that gave them a somewhat flattering 6-22 to 4-19 win.

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The game opened in whirlwind fashion with five scores in three minutes. Billy Power put Windgap ahead before Michael Bolger replied from the puckout. James Power responded before Ted Dunne rounded the Windgap defence 1-1 to 0-2.

After the sides shared four points through Stephen Kinsella, Cian O’Shea, Pat Grace, and Billy Power, Billy and Conor Doyle tied the score at Windgap 0-6, Graig 1-3.

Two Stephen Kinsella point frees had the Barrowsiders back in front before Pat Grace and Padhraic Foley tied the game 1-5 to 0-8. After a frre flowing move, Billy Power restored Windgap’s first-minute lead at the end of the first quarter 1-6 to 0-8. His side got a good run and saw their accuracy level drop as they recorded six wides. The unerring Graignamanagh side hit three points on the trot to lead by 1-9 to 0-9 at the break.

The resumption saw Billy Power hit a brace, with assists from the industrious Killian Enright and Pat Grace, reduced the lead to a single point before Pierce Blanchfield got one back, 1-10 to 0-11. In a game of turns, a sweeping move inside the twenty-metre line saw Jack Doyle, Adam O’Shea, and Jack again set James Power up for a Windgap goal, 1-11 to 0-10 after thirty-three minutes.

In the thrilling and competitive, end-to- end fare, the next 20 minutes saw Graig’ slowly add four points on the trot and then another three through five players: Richard Foley and Stephen Kinsella a brace apiece, Séan Hamilton, Ted Dunne and Michael Bolger as a Billy Power free interrupted them with a free to see them lead by 1-18 to 1-12.

The icing appeared to be on their cake when Séan Kinsella stepped up to take a penalty; his rocket cannoned off the foot of Eoin O’Shea’s post, a resultant point was missed, and a Windgap transformation began. It saw them hit 2-4 to 1-0 in the final eight minutes of the game to bring the end to an exciting 3-15 to 2-18 draw.

Extra time saw Windgap start with a whirlwind and three points on the trot by Jack Doyle, James Power, and a long Séan Purcell free, and had two half chances only to see Graignamanagh through a Ted Dunne goal level it at 3-18 apiece. Windgap then went a goal ahead after Jack Doye finished a Pat Power, and corner back Séan Foley move to the net. At the other end, Graig got the numerical advantage of the three extra time goals scored before the break as Michael Bolger tied the game once again at 4-18 at the end of the first period of extra time.

With tiring bodies and the subs benches being used, an all-out attack mode by Windgap saw two counterattack Graig’ goals in a minute, through a Jack Hickey penalty and a Michael Bolger goal swinging the advantage away from Windgap for a deserved Graig’ victory after a classic game.

Graignamanagh; Colin Bolger, Owen O’Brien, Ivan Bolger, Dylan Cahill, Joe Dowling, Richard Foley 1-2, 1-0 penalty, 0-2 frees, James Meaney, Sean Walsh, Cian O'Shea 0-1, Pierce Blanchfield 0-2, Jack Ryan, Steven Kinsella 0-11, 0-8 frees, Seamus Kavanagh, Ted Dunne 2-2, Michael Bolger 2-3, 0-1 free.

Subs: Ivan Bolger, Séan Hamilton1-1, Thomas Ryan, Nicky Ryan,

Windgap; Eoin O’Shea, Peter Landy, Willie Phelan, Sean Foley, Pat Power, Séan Purcell 1-1, 1-1 frees, Darragh O’Shea, Killian Enright 0-1, Pat Grace 0-1, Billy Power 0-9, 0-5 frees, James Power 1-4, Jack Doyle 2-1, Conor Doyle 0-1 Adam O’Shea, Padraic Foley 0-1,

Subs; Michael Power, Sean Barron, Séan Power, Zak Kennedy.

Referee: Michael O’Sullivan.