Kilkenny SHL- Glenmore survive late rally to defeat champions

In a thrilling South Kilkenny contest played in Ballyhale last Saturday afternoon, Glenmore defeated Shamrocks who were short nine of last years County Final winning team for a variety of reasons.

On closer reflection, the result wasn't a major surprise and also considering the champions slow start to the season in more recent seasons, Glenmore would have had a chance of upsetting the odds.

Glenmore are managed by Shamrocks native and former player Bob Aylward, and playing with a very strong wind advantage during the opening-half they led by just two points at the interval (1-10 to 2-5) having shot at least 10 wides in the process.

The winners made a bright start and they led 0-3 to 0-1 with the Murphy brothers Alan and Eoin on the mark.

Alan got the opening point from play, while Eoin who was lining out at centre back pointed twice, one a superb long distance effort from play along with a long distance free.

The Shamrocks men did have the services of county seniors TJ Reid, Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen (playing at centre back) in their ranks and Cody struck a brilliant goal in the 7th minute to give them the outright lead for the only time. 1-1 to 0-3.

Glenmore regained the lead with points in quick succession from Alan Murphy (free) and Ger Aylward(0-5 to 1-1), and it was point for point up until the 18th minute as the teams were level at 0-7 to 1-4.

Ger Aylward and Alan Murphy were both involved in the penalty awarded to Glenmore in the 19th minute, as Ger was fouled inside the penalty area and Alan stepped up to convert the resulting effort. 1-7 to 1-4.

Glenmore led for the remainder of the game and Alan Murphy pointed a free in the 22nd minute to stretch the advantage(1-8 to 1-4), before the champions replied with a goal from a penalty by TJ Reid in the 25th minute after Eoin Cody was fouled. 1-8 to 2-4.

Alan Murphy converted two frees to extend Glenmore's lead to three points (1-10 to 2-4) before Eoin Reid concluded the opening-half with a point from play. 1-10 to 2-5.

Eoin pointed again within seconds of the restart to narrow the gap to just a point(1-10 to 2-6), but Glenmore responded with three points in quick succession by Alan Murphy (two frees) & Ger Aylward. 1-13 to 2-6.

Glenmore maintained their four point advantage between the 35th & 45th minutes (1-16 to 2-9) with Cathal Beirne - who had an excellent second half - scoring twice from play as they continued to maintain supremacy.

The men from the glen played superbly against the wind during the second half with Eoin Murphy giving a magnificent performance as he led the way.

Points in a 90 second spell between the 46th & 48th minutes from an Alan Murphy free, the strong and energetic Dean Croke and a mighty long range effort by Shane Murphy as they built up a seven point lead entering the final 10 minutes. 1-19 to 2-9.

However, Shamrocks as they always do battled right to the end, and they outscored Glenmore 0-5 to 0-1 over the closing 10 minutes to narrow the deficit to just three points with TJ Reid as usual keeping the scoreboard ticking over, while Mark Gorman who was excellent while coming on also adding a point.

They had one last chance to salvage a draw deep into stoppage time.

Eoin Cody lobbed a free in around the goalmouth, but Alan Murphy came out with possession as Glenmore held on for a deserved victory.

Shamrocks have been down this road before having lost their opening game, so they will improve once they get back to near full strength.

Teams and Scorers

Glenmore- Alan Murphy (1-8, 1-0 penalty and 0-7 frees), Cathal Beirne (0-3), Eoin Murphy (0-1 free), Ger Aylward and Dean Croke (0-2 each), Billy Reid, Ian Byrne and Shane Murphy (0-1 each)

Shamrocks- TJ Reid (1-10, 1-0 penalty and 0-8 frees), Eoin Cody (1-0), Eoin Reid (0-2), Kevin Fennelly and Mark Gorman (0-1 each)

Glenmore- Michael Kirwan, Ciaran Vereker, Eoin Aylward, Sean Duggan, Shane Murphy, Eoin Murphy, Billy Reid, Richie Hennessy, Shane Doherty, Cathal Beirne, Alan Murphy, Dean Croke, Ethan Phelan, Ger Aylward, Ian Byrne.

Shamrocks- Mark Aylward, Brian Butler, Dara Mason, Killian Corcoran, Evan Shefflin, Adrian Mullen, Conor Phelan, Patrick Mullen, Conor Walsh, Liam Barron, TJ Reid, Kevin Fennelly, Eoin Kenneally, Eoin Reid, Eoin Cody.

Subs used- Mark Gorman, Kevin Fennelly.

Referee- Maurice Flynn