Kilkenny IHL- Dunnamaggin maintain winning start to league campaign

A strong second half when favoured by the breeze saw Dunnamaggin secure a comfortable victory over St. Martin’s in the Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League in Tullaroan on Sunday afternoon.

St. Martin’s were more than a match for the winners in the opening half.

The breeze helped, but throughout the field they hurled with strong commitment and were in control of matters for much of the opening 30 minutes.

The teams landed a brace of points each in the opening minutes – Paul Kirwan and Denis Walsh for Dunnamaggin and Shane Kinsella (free) and Jamie Morrissey for St. Martin’s.

Two goals in a three minute spell saw St. Martin’s open up a six point margin between the teams on eight minutes.

Aaron Farrell grabbed the first of those goals on four minutes and three minutes later, Brian Coady, situated at full forward, took a pass from Sean Hunt to raise a second green flag for St. Martin’s.

Dunnamaggin responded with points from Ray Cody, Paul Kirwan and Ross O’Neill to narrow the margin with Brian Coady responding for St. Martin’s to leave the margin at five points as the game entered the closing ten minutes of then opening half.

During that closing period the teams shared eight points with free-takers Shane Kinsella and Denis Walsh unerring from placed balls.

Those scores saw St. Martin’s deservedly lead 2-9 to 0-10 at the interval.

Straight from the throw-in Michael Cody who made an impressive return to the Dunnamaggin team, pointed after 12 seconds.

Dunnamaggin’s intent was clear as they took a firm grip on the game from the early moments of the new half.

Although Donal Shore responded with an excellent point almost immediately for St. Martin’s, it was to be their only score from play in the second half.

In fact, they only landed three points during the second 30 minutes, the other two white flags coming from Shane Kinsella frees.

Four minutes into the second half some delightful play from Denis Walsh saw him waltz through a stagnant St. Martin’s defence to shoot a fine goal.

That score left the minimum between the sides, but the momentum was now all with the winners.

St. Martin’s worked hard for scores but the outstanding Eogan Kearney at centre half back along with his fellow defenders closed up all avenues to their goal.

St. Martin’s were almost through for a goal on nine minutes but Jack Coogan’s blistering shot was well saved by James Logue in the Dunnamaggin goal.

When Shane Kinsella pointed a free one minute later it was to be the last score of the game for St. Martin’s.

The winners were rampant in the closing 20 minutes with the attack landing some fine points to see the margin grow between the sides.

Denis Walsh led the way in attack, with Paul Kirwan and Ross O’Neill landing four points each from play.

Sub Noah Cahill made a telling impact also landing three points.

St. Martin’s failed to make any headway in the second half despite the best efforts of Brian Byrne, Brian Coady, Shane Kinsella and Sean Hunt.

Teams and Scorers

Dunnamaggin: Denis Walsh (1-7, 0-3 frees and 0-1 ’65); Ross O’Neill, Paul Kirwan and Joe Fitzpatrick (0-4, each); Noah Cahill (0-3); Ray Cody and Michael Cody (0-1, each)

St. Martin’s: Shane Kinsella (0-5, frees); Brian Coady (1-2); Aaron Farrell (1-0); Oisin Kelly (0-1, free); Donal Shore, Sean Hunt, Jack Coogan Jamie Morrissey (0-1, each).

Dunnamaggin: James Logue; Ian Walsh, Harry Walsh, Pierce Costello, Darragh O’Keeffe, Eoghan Kearney, Alex Moore, Ray Cody, Michael Cody, Ross O’Neill, Denis Walsh, Ruaidhri Holden, Dylan Crehan, Joe Fitzpatrick, Paul Kirwan.

Subs – Ciaran Hickey (for Harry Walsh inj.); Noah Cahill (for Dylan Crehan), Peter Kenneally (for Ruaidhri Holden).

St Martin’s: Oisin Kelly, Daniel Comerford, Bian Byrne, Tadgh Gill, Justin Manning, Matthew Bolger, Colm Hayes, Shane Kinsella, Brian Coady, Aaron Farrell, James O’Neill, Donal Shore, Sean Hunt, Jack Coogan, Jamie Morrissey.

Subs – Ciaran Nolan (for Tadgh Gill); Adam Conerford (for Jack Coogan).

Referee – Eoin Beehan (Fenians).