Kilkenny SHL- Gaffney points the way as ’Boro grab win over Mullinavat

Dicksboro recorded a four point victory over Mullinavat in this St Canices Credit Union, Senior Hurling League, Round 4 contest, at a sun drenched Dunnamaggin GAA Grounds on Saturday afternoon

Two first half goals from corner forward Andy Gaffney gave the city side a little breathing room at half time, 2-8 to 1-6, and despite a strong second half from Mullinavat, the closest they came to hauling in Boro was two points (1-19 to 2-18), this in the 59th minute.

Mullinavat opened the scoring with a John Walsh free, a player making his seasonal debut, having returned from a period in the USA. This was replied to a minute later by Andy Gaffney.

Mullinavat went 0-4 to 0-1 clear by the sixth minute with points by Walsh (free), Padraic Gahan from 100 metres and Ger Malone.

By the 13th minute Boro had taken the lead 1-3 to 0-4. Two pointed frees by Andy Gaffney and a goal from the same player, this after Mullinavat failed to clear when in possession.

Mullinavat had a goal of their own less than two minutes later when John Walsh got possession close in and beat Darragh Holohan in the Boro goal.

A fine team move by Boro resulted in a Cillian Buckley equaliser on the quarter hour (1-4 each).

Walsh pointed a Mullinavat free, to which Boro replied with two points from play by Aidan Nolan, who had a fine game throughout, and county panellist Timmy Clifford from midfield.

Michael Malone levelled the game again, at 1-6 each, with a point from distance for Mullinavat on 25 minutes.

By the interval Boro added a further 1-2, scores that ultimately decided the game.

Points from play by Bill Sheehan and Nolan, followed by a second vital goal by Andy Gaffney, after a fine combined team effort.

Cillian Buckley got Boro off the ground with an early second half point, replied to by a John Walsh free.

A Mark Nolan, Boro score was replied to by Adam Mansfield for Mullinavat.

Boro went six points clear, 2-11 to 1-8, with a fine team score finished by Sheehan, involving Ollie Walsh and Cillian Hackett.

A pointed Gaffney free opened up a seven point lead, and it looked like the game was running away from the South Kilkenny outfit.

However, Mullinavat battled hard to remain competitive, and recorded three successive points from two Walsh frees sandwiching a Michael Malone score from 100 metres.

Padraig Dempsey and John Walsh from a “65” closed the Boro lead to three points, 1-14 to 2-14.

Sheehan pointed for Boro after another Houlihan puckout to the wing, answered by a John Walsh 90 metre pointed score from play.

Substitute Conor Power (M) and Tom Kenny exchanged scores, as did Mansfield (M) and Clifford, 2-18 to 1-17.

Two Walsh frees in the 58th and 60th minutes left just two points between them, but Boro pulled a rabbit from their hat, substitute Aran Murphy, who closed out the game for Boro, with two fine points from the right wing.

Teams and Scorers

Dicksboro: Andy Gaffney (2-4, 0-4 frees), Aidan Nolan; Bill Sheehan (0-3 each), Cillian Buckley; Liam Moore; Aran Murphy (0-2 each), Tom Kenny; Timmy Clifford; Mark Nolan; Cillian Hackett (0-1 each)

Mullinavat: John Walsh (1-10, 0-8 frees and 0-1 ‘65), Michael Malone; Adam Mansfield; Ger Malone (0-2 each), Padraig Dempsey; Conor Walsh (0-1 each)

Dicksboro: Darragh Holohan; Padraig Moylan, Niall Rowe, Evan Cody; Eoin Fennelly, Tom Kenny, Timmy Clifford; Ollie Walsh, Cillian Hackett; Cillian Buckley, Harry Shine, Aidan Nolan; Bill Sheehan, Mark Nolan (0-1), Andy Gaffney (2-4, 0-4 frees).

Subs - Liam Moore, Aran Murphy, Shane Stapleton.

Mullinavat: Sean Fitzpatrick; Michael Walsh, Tom Aylward, George O’Connor; Michael Malone, Liam Fennelly, Padraic Gahan; Joe Gahan, Adam Mansfield; Padraic Dempsey, John Walsh, Ian Duggan; Bill Dempsey, Ger Malone, Mikey Jones.

Subs: Conor Walsh for Liam Fennelly, Martin Davis for Padraic Gahan, Willie O’Dwyer for Michael Malone, Conor Duggan for Mikey Jones, CJ Fitzpatrick for Ian Duggan.