Kilkenny JHL- Billy Drennan stars as Galmoy prove too classy for Kilmacow

Goals in each half from Billy Drennan set Galmoy up for their first win in this year's JJ Kavanagh and Sons Junior Hurling League Championship over Kilmacow at Palmerstown on Sunday evening.

This was a cracking game of hurling with both sides giving it their all right to the final whistle.

The Galmoy half back line proved the platform for many of their scores, while midfielders Oisín Phelan and Ryan Murphy rowed in with good support, with Phelan in particular doing very well.

Up front, Kevin Duggan and Brandan Phelan, with three points each, along with Niall Drennan, gave most support to Billy Drennan.

Kilmacow had strong performers in Tom Butler, Luke Harney and Johnny Hayes while James Walsh, who lined out in the full forward line, was consistent all through.

Kilmacow began well with a point from Hayes, followed by a converted free from midfield by Sean Dowling.

It was the fifth minute before Billy Drennan grabbed a Conor Drennan lineball and opened the Galmoy account.

Paddy Dollard and Kevin Duggan exchanged points, before midfielder Oisín Phelan hit the first of three first half points from 50 metres to level the game 0-3 each in the 8th minute.

A late tackle on Brandan Phelan saw Drennan push Galmoy ahead from a free before Oisín Phelan rode two full

blooded tackles to strike an inspiring point from 65 metres out.

In the 14th minute Johnny Hayes grabbed a Kilmacow lineball and advanced in along the end line.

He passed to James Walsh whose height enabled him to bat the ball to the Galmoy net ,1-3 to 0-5.

Callum Lonergan and Billy Drennan responded from play for the northerners with Walsh picking two in succession, one from a free to push Kilmacow ahead again.

In the 16th minute, Billy Drennan took a back pass from his brother Niall,to strike low and hard past Kieran Dowling for Galmoy’s first goal.

Ryan Murphy struck over a good point almost immediately from the right wing and Galmoy lead by three.

From here to the interval the sides shared eight further points equally.

James Walsh struck a brace of frees while his wing back Tom Butler showed good accuracy from midfield twice in the closing minutes.

For Galmoy Oisín Phelan, Kevin Duggan and wing back Conor Grace all pointed from substantial distance to leave Galmoy ahead 1-12 to 1-9 at the interval after playing with the aid of the slight breeze.

Kilmacow introduced Jack O Neill to their full forward line for the new half and he made an immediate impression with a neat point.

Galmoy responded well though with points from Niall Drennan,Brandan Phelan and Conor Drennan from well inside his own half,1-15 to 1-10.

It was now the turn of Kilmacow to dominate as, after hitting four wides ,they added points through James Walsh,Paddy Dollard and Johnny Hayes to reduce the gap.

A feature of this game was, each side’s ability to hit a purple patch at different stages, and now it was the turn of Galmoy, as Conor Drennan picked out Brandan Phelan with a delivery for a point before Kevin Duggan came in from the left hand wing and pointed off his left.

Johnny Hayes responded once more, to which Galmoy posted the perfect reply.

Niall Drennan fielded a delivery in the 51st minute 50 metres from goal, off loaded to Billy Drennan, who soloed all the way in before striking a rasper to the right corner of the Kilmacow net, 2-18 to 1-14.

While this score inspired Galmoy, it stung Kilmacow and they really stepped up the pace to the extent that they hit five unanswered points through James Walsh, Johnny Hayes and substitute Tom Reddy, to reduce the gap to the dangerous two points margin 2-18 to 1-19 with just four minutes remaining.

Niall Drennan won a valuable free, which saw the difference extended to three once again.

Kilmacow now threw everything into attack. Luke Harney was fouled but as the referee correctly allowed the advantage, Johnny Harney shot on goal only for Brian Kelly to bring off a cracking save.

We came back for the free which James Walsh pointed. With the game well into injury time Kilmacow forced a 65 but as Sean Dowling dropped the sliotar into the danger zone,Galmoy held firm and cleared to hold out for a comforting two point victory.

As mentioned,the half back line of Conor Grace ,Conor Drennan and Gearóid Phelan were mighty impressive while the return of Nigel Stanley at full back steadied up the defence.

Fergal Suffin and Tom Butler defended well for Kilmacow.

Galmoy: Brian Kelly, Sean Phelan, Nigel Stanley, James Darcy, Conor Grace (0-1), Conor Drennan (0-1), Gearóid Phelan, Oisín Phelan (0-3), Ryan Murphy (0-1) Callum Lonergan (0-1), Billy Drennan (2-5, 0-3 frees), Brandan Phelan (0-3), Kevin Duggan (0-30, Brendan Phelan, Niall Drennan (0-1).

Subs: Jason Stanley for Brendan Phelan 44 mins, Dylan Grace for James Darcy 50 mins, Patrick Doyle for Kevin Duggan 54 mins and Frank Phelan for Callum Lonergan 59 mins.

Kilmacow: Kieran Dowling, Eoin Murray, Fergal Suffin, Calum Regan,Tom Butler (0-2), Niall Bowe,Tadhg Connolly,Luke Harney,Sean Dowling (0-1f), Ian Ahearne, Paddy Dollard (0-2), Brian O Mara, Sean Blanchfield, Johnny Hayes (0-4), James Walsh (1-9,0-5frees).

Subs: Jack O Neill (0-1) for Sean Blanchfield 31 mins and Tom Reddy (0-1) for Ian Ahearne 45 mins.

Referee: Paul Whelan (Mullinavat)