Kilkenny IHL- ​Late drama as Mooncoin and Dunnamaggin deadlocked

Mooncoin and Dunnamaggin played out an entertaining draw in Round 2 of the Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai intermediate league on Saturday afternoon.

A last puck of the game point from Mooncoin’s Killian Hogan got Mooncoin out of jail somewhat after they let a five point lead slip away against a Dunnamaggin team that looked like they had stolen victory.

1-3 without reply between the 58th and 63rd minutes of which included a Noah Cahill goal and three points from Denis Walsh appeared to give Dunnamaggin a come from behind success but Mooncoin still had the last say and both teams will have went away rather content in taking a point from the game.

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Mooncoin started well with centre-forward Adam Croke knocking over two points from play inside the first two minutes.

Dunnamaggin then got their first score of the game with Denis Walsh on target in what proved to be a very influential display from the Kilkenny star.

The first goal of the game was only around the corner and it arrived in the 5th minute and went the way of Mooncoin with Billy Delahunty shooting past James Logie after his initial effort was well blocked.

Dunnamaggin replied with a Brian Hickey score as the youngster maintained his bright start to life at senior hurling but with Mooncoin getting further efforts from Croke and Delahunty, it was Paddy Mullally’s side who were firmly in control as they led 1-4 to 0-2.

Points from Hickey and Walsh brought ‘Dunna back within range but a further Mooncoin spurt that saw Killian Hogan and Cormac Kinsella get on the scoresheet maintained the five point advantage.

Dunnamaggin then hit a purple patch of sorts with three Denis Walsh frees in succession leaving just two in it before a lovely Brian Hickey score meant only the minimum seperated the teams.

Further points from Billy Delahunty who was a huge handful for the Dunnamagin defence and Robbie Doherty made it 1-8 to 0-8 in Mooncoin’s favour with time in the first period almost up.

Dunnamaggin finished the half with points from Walsh and Shaun O’Keeffe with a Mooncoin effort from Liam Hogan in between the pair as the scoring ended for the half with Mooncoin ahead by two.

A blistering start to the second period saw Dunamaggin immediately wipe out that deficit with Denis Walsh and goalkeeper James Logue via a free both on target within two minutes of the resumption. Mooncoin then grabbed back control of the game with points from Martin O’Neill, James O’Keeffe and Aidan Carroll before both sides went close with goal opportunities.

Dunnamaggin were first up with Brian Hickey out of luck when shooting into the side-netting before Mooncoin also had a chance that saw James Logue produce a great save to deny Martin O’Neill who had latched onto a long free from Killian Hogan.

At the halfway mark of the half it was still anyone’s game as Dunnamaggin again brought the deficit back to a point through scores from Walsh and Darragh O’Keeffe.

Mooncoin vice-captain Killian Hogan then hit two superb scores from play to make it 1-14 to 0-14 in his side’s favour and although Brian Hickey replied in kind, this spell of the game was all about Hogan as he almost single-handedly brought the game to Dunnmaggin and after another point by the wing forward, he then grabbed a second goal for his side with just five minutes remaining.

Dunnamaggin rallied with 1-3 without reply as Walsh continued to knock over the placed balls and a goal by Noah Cahill looked to have snatched the win. Mooncoin kept their composure and four minutes into added time, Killian Hogan knocked over the levelling score from right on the sideline.

​Teams and Scorers

Mooncoin: Killian Hogan (1-5, 1f); Billy Delahunty (1-2); Adam Croke (0-3); Aidan Carroll, James O’Keeffe, Martin O’Neill, Robbie Doherty, Jim Delahunty, Cormac Kinsella (0-1 each)

Dunnamaggin: Denis Walsh (0-12, 5fs and 2 ‘65’s); Brian Hickey (0-4); Noah Cahill (1-0); James Logue (0-1, 1f); Shaun O’Keeffe, Darragh O’Keeffe (0-1 each)

Mooncoin: Donnacha Hogan; Ben O’Hanlon, Cormac Daly, Ryan Carroll; Liam Hogan, Mark Kearns, Cormac Kinsella; Jim Delahunty, Billy Delahunty; Robbie Doherty, Adam Croke, Killian Hogan; Martin O’Neill, James O’Keeffe, Aidan Carroll.

Subs: Stephen Brennan for O’Keeffe, 58 mins.

Dunnamaggin: James Logue; Dylan Crehan, Michael Cody, Pierce Costello; Darragh O’Keeffe, Alex Moore, Shaun O’Keeffe; Andy Hickey, Ray Cody; Eoghan Kearney, Denis Walsh, Jamie Tallon; Brian Hickey, Joe Fitzpatrick, Jimmy O’Neill.

Subs: Paul Kirwan for Costello, 41 mins; Harry Walsh for Hickey, 50 mins; Noah Cahill for Tallon, 52 mins.

Referee: John Kennedy