Kilkenny IHC Final- All to play for but Lisdowney look well set to add to league success

With the absence of Thomastown, there was always an open feel to how the intermediate grade would progress this year and it’s produced another entertaining campaign with Lisdowney and Young Irelands now the last two standing in the race for the Hanrahan Cup.

You have to go all the way back to 1991 for the Gowran side’s last appearance in a final at this grade, albeit they were in senior deciders in 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Lisdowney, on the other hand, were at this stage as recent as 2020 when they beat Thomastown in a penalty shootout but as it arrived during the height of the covid pandemic, the club missed out on the proper feel of a county final.

From the get-go Lisdowney were seen as one of the favourites to go up and they will be eager to return to the top tier after only lasting two seasons last time round when losing to Graigue-Ballycallan in the relegation final in 2022.

The North Kilkenny side will also be looking to complete the double after beating Sunday’s opponents in the league final a couple of weeks ago.

Just the two points separated the teams on that occasion and a similarly close encounter is anticipated this time around.

Lisdowney come into the final having beaten Mooncoin in a cracking semi-final encounter. That victory is bound to have given the side a huge surge of confidence after they were well beaten by the same opposition at the same stage one year ago.

Mooncoin earlier beat All-Ireland junior winners Tullogher-Rosbercon, so the form lines for the 2020 intermediate winners look to be very positive indeed.

As they have openly mentioned before, they are maybe a team without any stars but it’s the overall package that makes them so forceful.

In Aidan Tallis however, they have a goalkeeper who is improving year on year. The All-Ireland under-20 winner made his senior championship debut with Kilkenny earlier this year and he’s only going from strength to strength on the evidence of his last few performances.

If it wasn’t for his brilliance in the semi-final, where he pulled off a series of match-winning saves, there is every chance the discussion point would be about whether Mooncoin could make up for last year’s final defeat.

But, the Lisdowney vice-captain produced the goods and with the likes of Mick Kenny, Ben Tallis and Dylan Jordan in front of him manning the defence, the task is a big one for the Gowran opposition.

Add in former county star Niall Brennan, who has moved to a roving centre back role and Lisdowney have a mean look about them.

With Brian Kavanagh flying up front and the McEvoys also contributing with vital scores, the league winners will fancy their chances if they can hit form.

On the other side, it’s a Young Irelands team that are riding a bit of a crest of a wave in what is their most progressive championship campaign in recent memory.

Already the club has seen its second and third teams scoop championship titles and now its marquee outfit is out to do the trifecta.

It’s been steady improvement for Gowran and, after reaching a quarter-final last year, they have now moved along two extra steps on the ladder. Now they are chasing the ultimate prize at intermediate level.

The side in red and white have been expertly led from centre back by Kilkenny star Mikey Carey. His influence is all over the county finalists as he dictates play from the heart of the defence.

Throw-in brother Sean who is the main score getter up front alongside the likes of Ted Drea and Seamus Farrell and Gowran definitely have the tools to hurt Lisdowney.

That crucial experience is added to by an ever improving and youthful core of players with Bobbie Brennan, Jake Byrne and Jim Conlon beginning to excel alongside former county underage stars Padraig Naddy and Paddy Langton.

It was only two years ago that the club appeared in a Roinn A minor league final, so there is certainly talent coming through the ranks.

Gowran will go into the game as underdogs but that tag will probably suit them and if Sean Carey and Ted Drea can catch fire they have every chance.

Ultimately though this feels like it may come a year too soon for Young Irelands and Lisdowney’s experience should tell as they look to return to senior level.