Kilkenny JHL- Ryan hits 0-14 as Piltown overcome Windgap challenge​

​In the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Premier Junior Hurling League, Windgap faced Piltown in a repeat of the recent Michael Lyng Hyundai league final played in excellent conditions in Mooncoin on Saturday afternoon.

In a very competitive match, there was still all to play for until the final whistle, as Piltown opened the scoring through Shane O’Dwyer and led 0-4 to 0-1, through four separate scorers, after just four minutes, as Aiden Walsh, Aron Kinsella and DJ Knox pointed after Conor Doyle had levelled the scores at a point apiece.Four minutes later, Windgap were 1-2 to 0-4 ahead through a well-worked ball from Wiliam Phelan to Billy Power and Adam O’Shea for a captain’s goal and a point from Jack Doyle.

After two Ronan Ryan points were intersected by a Padraic Foley one, it saw the sides tied Baile an Phoil 0-6 to Bearna na Gaoithes 1-3 at the quarter-way stage.

Read Next- Kilkenny SHL- New faces to the fore as O'Loughlin's defeat Dicksboro

A whirlwind spell for Windgap who scored 1-3 without reply saw them lead by double scores, 2-6 to 0-6 after 18 minutes. It included three points by Billy Power and an Adam O’Shea flicked goal from a long-range free.

When Piltown rallied, they hit three points in succession through two Ronan Ryan frees and a DJ Knox point before Billy Power interrupted their flow. It then saw Piltown add four more points on the trot through three points from Ronan Ryan and a Cian Kinsella one to tie the scores 0-13 to 2-7 in the 30th minute.

When Billy Power put Windgap back ahead by a point from a Pat Grace pass, another Ronan Ryan free closed the scoring to tie the game 0-14 to 2-8 at half-time.

The second half, saw Windgap open with another whirlwind spell, racing five points ahead on two occasions to lead 2-15 to 0-16 after 40 minutes. In doing so, they outscored Piltown by six points to a single one from a Ronan Ryan free.

The Windgap scores came through Billy Power, Killian Enright, Sean Purcell from a massive free, Conor Doyle and a brace from Jack Doyle .

With Windgap looking comfortable after two exchanges of points by Ronan Ryan and a Sean Purcell line ball and DJ Knox and Jack O’Shea, the three-quarter-way stage was reached as they led by 2-16 to 0-17 whilst playing into the Waterford City End goal.

What followed with the introduction of Robbie Culleton for the Iverk men created a Piltown whirlwind of 1-5 without reply.

It saw Piltown tie the game 1-19 to 2-16 as Culleton struck a fine solo goal that was squeezed in between two Ronan Ryan, DJ Knox and Aron Kinsella points as they continued on to lead by 1-22 to 2-16 after 55 minutes.A minute later a point by Windgap substitute Micheal Power reduced the lead to two points 1-22 to 2-17.

It only proved to be an amber light as Ronan Ryan with unerring accuracy from all ranges pointed two further Piltown frees, bringing his match total to 0-14 to make it a two-score game.With Windgap launching a series of injury-time attacks, James Norris made a great save from Jack Doyle to ensure the league points for Piltown on a 1-24 to 2-17 scoreline when an reiteoir Gavin Quilty called time.

For Piltown James Norris on puckouts, Shane O’Dwyer, Robbie Tobin, DJ Knox and Ronan Ryan excelled as Jack Doyle, Billy Power, Darragh O’Shea, Adam O’Shea Peter Landy and Killian Doye led a hard trying Windgap side.

Piltown: James Norris, Michael O’Dwyer, Darragh Walsh, Joe Cooney, Shane Walsh, Aaron Kinsella 0-2, Robbie Tobin, Shane O’Dwyer 0-1, Billy O’Callaghan, Ronan Ryan 0-14, 0-11frees, Kevin Walsh, DJ Knox 0-4, Martin Power, Cian Kinsella 0-2, Aidan Walsh 0-1.

Subs: Robbie Culleton, Henri Culleton, Andrew Phelan.

Windgap: Eoin O’Shea, Peter Landy, Willie Phelan, Sean Foley, Pat Power, Séan Purcell 0-2, 0-1 free, 0-1 line ball, Darragh O’Shea, Killian Enright 0-1, Padraic Foley 0-1, Billy Power 0-6, 0-2 frees, Jack Doyle 1-3, Pat Grace, Conor Doyle 0-2, Adam O’Shea 1-0, Ronan O’Brien.

Subs; Jack O’Shea 0-1, Conor Culleton, Michael Power 0-1.

Referee: Gavin Quilty