Kilkenny IHL- Fitzpatrick fires Dunnamaggin to narrow victory over Rower Inistioge

A determined Dunnamaggin all but secured a place in The Quarter-Final of The Intermediate Championship following a hard fought win over Rower-Inistioge at a warm but showery Thomastown last Saturday afternoon.

A strong feature to Dunnamaggin's win on Saturday was the dogfight determination of their defence who battled resolutely to prevent a Rower-Inistioge goal on numerous occasions, particularly during the second half.

Goalkeeper Andy O'Dwyer came to the rescue more than once as he pulled off vital saves.

In a first-half where Dunnamaggin led 0-8 to 0-7 at half-time, O'Dwyer twice denied Rower-Inistioge two certain goals in the opening 5 minutes.

First, he saved a Kevin Murphy shot after just 15 seconds before denying Jim Ryan in the 4th minute as Eoin O'Brien blazed over the bar with the rebounded effort.

The outstanding John Fitzpatrick fired over 0-5(0-3 frees) during the opening-half, as Denis Walsh from a brilliant sideline cut, Ray Cody & Joe Fitzpatrick also contributed to their first half total.

Rower-Inistioge's first half score’s came from two long range points by Jack Walsh (one a free) and one each by George Murphy, Michael Galavan (free), Jim Ryan, Kevin Murphy & the ever threatening Eoin O'Brien.

Darragh O'Keeffe started the second half scoring with a mighty long range point in the 35th minute to double their advantage (0-9 to 0-7), before Rower-Inistioge replied with three consecutive points - including two Michael Galavan frees - to take the lead entering the final quarter. 0-10 to 0-9.

John Fitzpatrick struck over a levelling point from play in the 47th minute, before Galavan and Fitzpatrick exchanged pointed entering the final 10 minutes. 0-11 each.

Enter Andy Hickey who made a welcome return to action after injury after been introduced as a substitute.

With the game in the melting pot, Hickey made a massive and decisive difference down the home straight as he was outstanding in helping Dunnamaggin to victory for the 15 minutes that he was on.

Last years U-20 All-Ireland winner made an instant impact as he scored a point, while also setting up a point along with winning the free for Dunnamaggin's final point that was converted by John Fitzpatrick.

His arrival lifted Dunnamaggin to greater heights and his point from play in the 52nd minute shortly after his introduction helped regain the lead.

Denis Walsh pointed from play in the 55th minute to double Dunnamaggin's lead (0-13 to 0-11) and points were exchanged over the closing few minutes as John Fitzpatrick(2) - from a play & a free - and another mighty long range effort by Darragh O'Keeffe added to the winners account while Michael Galavan (two frees) & substitute Tom O'Callaghan added to Rower-Inistioge's tally.

Rower-Inistioge kept plugging away with Kieran Joyce, the excellent Joe Lyng & George Murphy in particular doing their utmost and 5 minutes into injury-time they came close to snatching victory with a last gasp goal.

Eoin O'Brien set-up Michael Galavan who raced forward at relentless pace, but his shot flew agonizingly wide and Dunnamaggin held on for victory.

Teams and Scorers

Dunnamaggin: John Fitzpatrick (0-9, 0-5 frees); Darragh O'Keeffe, Denis Walsh (0-1 Sideline) (0-2 each); Ray Cody, Joe Fitzpatrick and Andy Hickey (0-1 each)

Rower-Inistioge: Michael Galavan (0-6, 0-6 frees); Jack Walsh (0-2, 0-1 free); George Murphy; Jim Ryan; Kevin Murphy, Eoin O'Brien, Conor Joyce and Tom O'Callaghan (0-1 each)

Dunnamaggin: Andy O'Dwyer; Paul Kirwan, Victor Costello, Ian Walsh; Eoghan Kearney, Michael Cody, Darragh O'Keeffe; Ray Cody, Darren Fitzpatrick; Luke Fitzpatrick; Peter Kenneally, Joe Fitzpatrick; Denis Walsh; John Fitzpatrick, Adam Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Colin Fitzpatrick, Andy Hickey, Shaun O'Keeffe.

Rower-Inistioge: Paddy Lyng; Joe Lyng, Kieran Joyce, Ruaidhri Delaney; Jack Walsh, George Murphy, Pat Lyng; Tom Doyle, Eddie Prendergast; Conor Joyce, Michael Galavan, Jim Ryan; Eoin O'Brien, Jim Ryan, Kevin Murphy. Subs: Joe Mulholland, Tom O'Callaghan.

Referee: Eoin Hayes (Thomastown)