Dunnamaggin get the better of O'Loughlin's in Junior E Hurling Final

Dunnamaggin made it two Kilkenny junior league titles in five days when winning the Roinn E final, sponsored by JJ Kavanagh, at Gowran last week.

This grade might be ‘Division Eight’ in the Kilkenny hurling pyramid, but the standard of play, and the competitiveness of both teams were five- star, as both sides gave their all from start to finish.

There is a saying among intercounty hurlers that it starts and finishes with the club, the two centre backs here were proof of this, Dunnamaggin stalwart Colin Herity and Alan Geoghegan of O’Loughlin Gaels.

Both have operated at premier levels in the past for their clubs, but both continue to compete and help their sides.

Dunnamaggin made the early running in this contest with three early points from Darragh Walsh (2) and Bill McCormack.

Shane Maher opened the city sides account soon afterwards, his team assisted by a significant breeze. 

Points by Tim Doherty and a pointed free from youngster Noah Cahill left Dunna 0-5 to 0-1 clear.

O’Loughlins got a grip of the game in the second quarter, outscoring their opponents 0-5 to 0-2 in this period.

One score deserves special mention, a beautiful sideline cut, into the breeze, from 50 yards by Dunnamaggin full forward Bill McCormack.

Half Time O’Loughlins 0-8; Dunnamaggin 0-7.

One minute into the new half the city side had got the games only goal to move four points clear.

Michael Butler the scorer after a lively attack.

Dunnamaggin’s response to this was what finally gave them victory, a sequence of five unanswered points, for them to regain the lead by the 36th minute.

A Noah Cahill free, along with further points from John Staunton, Tim Doherty, Colin Herity and another Cahill free, were the contributors.

It was now Dunnamaggin 0-12 to 1-8 clear.

O’Loughlins briefly regained the lead midway through the second half with two Shane Maher points, the first a free, but from here on there was only going to be one winner.

Another batch of six unanswered points saw the Junior E trophy head to South Kilkenny.

The scoring sequence was John Staunton, Noah Cahill, Conor Lawton, a Noah Cahill free, along with two placed ball scores from Colin Herity (65) and Ciaran Hickey.

Dunnamaggin did finish a man short following a later red card, but they were always looking like winners in the final quarter.

Defending has always been the main attribute of Dunnamaggin teams, and here the likes of Kieran Buckley, Colin Herity and Pierce Costello continued that tradition. Others to impress were the midfield combination Thomas Deegan and Colin Lawton. Up front Billy McCormack, John Staunton and Noah Cahill were strong performers,

O’Loughlins were served well by Sean Kiely, Jack Kearns, Harry Nolan and Shane Maher.

Referee Colin Tobin and his linesmen did a professional job in a very entertaining contest.

Teams and Scorers

Dunnamaggin - Noah Cahill (0-5, 0-4 frees), Tim Dohrtyy (0-3), Darragh Walsh (0-2) Bill McCormack (0-2, 0-1 sideline), Tim Doherty (0-2), Colin Herity 0-2, 0-1 65), Conor Lawton (0-1), Ciaran Hickey (0-1).

O’Loughlin Gaels - Shane Maher (0-7, 5 frees), Michael Butler (1-0), Fevin Rowe (0-1) , Aaron Maher (0-1), Joe Bolger (0-1).

Dunnamaggin - Canice Hickey, Conor Long, Mark Dowling (C), Kieran Buckley, Paddy Delaney, Colin Herity, Pierce Costello, Thomas Deegan, Conor Lawton, Cathal Buckley, Dylan Carroll, Darragh Walsh, Noah Cahill, Bill McCormack Tim Doherty.

Subs: John Staunton for Billy McCormack, Ciaran Hickey for Darragh Walsh, Jamie Tallon.

O’Loughlin Gaels - Daniel McCormack, Michael Twomey, Sean Kiely, Jack Kearns, Peter McNamara, Alan Geoghegan, Kieran Delaney, Mark Croghan (C), Harry Nolan, Michael Butler, Kevin Rowe, Aaron Maher, Joe Bolger, Cathal O’Leary, Shane Maher.

Subs: Conor Murphy, Eddie Kearns for Cathal O’Leary, Jack Sinnott for Joe Bolger, Frank Noukeu for Kevin Rowe, Fionn Lawlor for Shane Maher.

Referee - Colin Tobin (Young Irelands).