Graignamanagh well on top in impressive junior win over Galmoy

High scoring Graignamanagh advanced to the second round of the Premier Junior Hurling Championship courtesy of this four point win over gallant Galmoy at Palmerstown on Sunday last.

Graignamanagh began with early points from impressive midfielder Cian O Shea and the excellent Pierce Blanchfield. After Billy Drennan had pointed a 50 metre free for Galmoy, they hit their first of four goals. In the fourth minute, Ryan Murphy ran on to a Conor Drennan clearance and despite being under pressure from James Meaney, he one handed the sliotar past goalkeeper Colin Bolger.

The response was fast with five pointed frees from Kinsella and Foley as Graig lead 0-7 to 1-2 at the end of the first quarter. Callum Lonergan hit a good point from the right wing followed by a Billy Drennan free to level up the game 0-7 to 1-4.

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In the 21st minute, Callum Lonergan sent in a probing ball from the left wing. Billy Drennan won possession out in front of Ivan Bolger and, from 25 metres out on the left, struck a sizzler to the net. Drennan collected an Oisín Phelan delivery a minute later and split the posts to see Galmoy lead, 2-5 to 0-9.

Graig hit five points before the break, two from Cian O’Shea along with three frees , while Galmoy just posted one reply, a Callum Lonergan point after a pass from Drennan to leave it Graignamanagh 0-14 Galmoy 2-6.

Immediately after the break, Jason Stanley got a touch on a long distance free by Billy Drennan and diverted the sliotar into the Graig net for Galmoy’s third goal.

However,Galmoy were not to score again until the 49th minute, as their opponents went on to dominate the third quarter and hit 10 points without reply. Pierce Blanchfield was flying it and struck three from play ,while Cian O’Shea, Steven Kinsella and Richard Foley also hit the target in a really good spell, which ultimately decided the tie.

Wing back Gearóid Phelan then got forward to notch a point in the 54th minute after taking a pass from Oisín Phelan. Drennan ,despite being double marked at this stage, collected a delivery from Phelan and split the posts .But Steven Kinsella steadied the ship for his side with two more placed balls.

A heavy tackle on Odhrán Moloney earned Galmoy a 30 metre free well to the right of goal, but Drennan rifled the sliotar to the roof of the net for one final Galmoy salvo.

Graignamanagh: Colin Bolger,Dylan Cahill,Ivan Bolger,Owen O Brien,Joe Dowling,Richard Foley (0-5, 0-4 frees),James Meaney (Capt.),Sean Walsh,Cian O Shea (0-4),Steven Kinsella (0-12,0-8 frees and 0-2 65s),Jack Ryan (0-1), Pierce Blanchfield (0-4),Sean O Grady, Ted Dunne, Seamus Kavanagh.

Subs: Michael Bolger, Conor Hoolan, Terry Dreelan, Thomas Ryan

Galmoy: Joe Dollard, Dylan Grace, Kieran Phelan, Colman Moloney, Conor Grace, Conor Drennan,Gearóid Phelan (0-1), Oisín Phelan, Sean Phelan, Callum Lonergan (0-2), Ryan Murphy(1-0), Brandan Phelan, Jason Stanley(1-0), Billy Drennan (2-8, 1-6 frees) (Capt.), Niall Drennan.

Subs: Nigel Stanley and Odhrán Moloney.

Referee: Jack Miller (Piltown)