Kilkenny JHL- ​Goals help Ballyragget to narrow win over Galmoy

The ability to take goals, one in each half saw St Patrick’s Ballyragget take the spoils in this evenly contested Premier Junior tie at superbly presented Páirc Lachtain Freshford on Friday night last.

Oisín Phelan opened the scoring for Galmoy, but midfielder Mark Doheny replied immediately before he converted a 65.

Billy Drennan then opened his account from a placed ball following a foul on Callum Lonergan before the first goal arrived. A long clearance out of defence by St Patrick’s full back Mark Staunton found Sean Brennan on the left wing.

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Brennan’s cross was well fielded by Cian Doheny in front of goal and despite the attentions of Ryan Murphy, Doheny struck low to the Galmoy net,1-2 to 0-2 in the seventh minute.

Galmoy kept in touch through the freetaking of Billy Drennan who struck four in the second quarter after fouls on himself ,Oisín Phelan and Conor Grace, with Grace also pointing from play.

Having assisted London in the 2025 Christy Ring Cup,Jack Morrissey made his return to the maroon and white and despite wearing 14, he roved around the field, leaving space up front ,as he also notched two good first half points as St Patrick’s went to the break leading 1-6 to 0-7.

Galmoy introduced Brandan Phelan for the new half and they began well with a point almost immediately by Callum Lonergan following a run up the left wing.

Billy Drennan then pointed from a huge distance following a foul on Conor Drennan in the 32nd minute before substitute Brandan Phelan put the blues ahead from 20 metres after a good run by Callum Lonergan,0-10 to 1-6.

Mark Doheny replied from a free following a foul on his brother Cian and it was Cian Doheny who set up Jack Morrissey for his third point of the evening.

Once again Billy Drennan levelled up the game, following a slap on himself, from right out on the right hand sideline, 0-11 to 1-8.

A foul on the strong running Shane Culleton saw Mark Doheny continue the tit for tat trend from 20 metres out.

At the other end,Oisín Phelan took a pass from Billy Drennan but was duly fouled by Ned Glennon and Drennan brought them level again.

Drennan himself was then fouled once more and immediately pushed Galmoy in front again,0-13 to 1-9.

However St Patrick’s were about to strike again.This time, a long puckout by Billy Morrissey found Shane Culleton, who tore in from the left hand side before passing to Josh Dowling as Dowling cleverly batted the sliotar home for his side’s second goal in the 44th minute.

This gave a new found confidence to the Ballyragget men and a foul on substitute Rob Doheny gifted another free to his brother Mark.

Galmoy kept fighting with Conor Drennan pointing twice from distance, in addition to similar scores from Sean Phelan, Brandan Phelan and Billy Drennan and with seven minutes remaining ,the sides were level once more,0-17 to 2-11.

Those final moments saw St Patrick’s show a bit more energy with points from Sean Brennan, who showed great speed on the right hand side while experienced substitute Michael Brennan who came on for the injured Christian Connick , also split the posts as did Josh Dowling late on to seal victory for the Bally boys.

St Patrick’s Ballyragget: Billy Morrissey, Steve Staunton, Mark Staunton, Chris Delaney, Christian Connick, Ned Glennon, Geoff Brennan, Richie McEvoy, Mark Doheny (0-6, 0-4frees and 0-1 65), Cian Doheny (1-1), Jason Phelan, Shane Culleton, Sean Brennan (0-4), Jack Morrissey (0-3), Josh Dowling (1-1).

Subs: Rob Doheny for Jason Phelan 42 mins, Michael Brennan ( 0-1) for Christian Connick 51 mins.

Galmoy: Brian Kelly, Dylan Grace, Kieran Phelan, Colman Moloney, Conor Grace (0-1), Conor Drennan (0-2,0-1free), Fionn Lonergan, Sean Phelan (0-1), Jason Stanley, Odhrán Moloney, Ryan Murphy, Niall Drennan, Oisín Phelan (0-1), Callum Lonergan (0-1), Billy Drennan (Capt.)(0-10, 0-9frees).

Subs: Brandan Phelan (0-2) for Odhrán Moloney 31 mins, Brendan Phelan for Callum Lonergan 51 mins

Referee: Kevin Joyce (Emeralds)