Kilkenny IHL- Mooncoin show quality to earn first win in top class display

A goal in each half from Killian Hogan and Robbie Doherty gave Mooncoin the edge as they claimed a 12-point victory over Blacks and Whites in Ballyhale.

While the scoreline suggests that it was a straightforward evening for the winners, the Blacks and Whites had their moments especially in the first half where they competed well.

Blacks and Whites were well beaten the first day out against Dunnamaggin but they made a very bright start on Saturday and within five minutes they had already built up a 0-3 to 0-0 lead through points from Martin Kelly, Jason Byrne and Ryan Murphy.

While slow into their groove, Mooncoin soon found their feet with midfielder Killian Hogan grabbing their opening goal on the back of a forceful run from deep after six minutes of play.

Quick follow up scores by Robbie Doherty, Ciaran Quilty and Adam Croke then gave Mooncoin the lead and it was an advantage they would maintain till the game’s conclusion.

Blacks and Whites remained in touch with points from free-taker Ryan Murphy, Jamie Byrne and Jason Byrne but any time they looked like they would get going, there was a Mooncoin response just around the corner.

The winners had another purple patch before the half’s conclusion, with Liam Hogan, Paul Henebery and Adam Croke finding the range as they led 1-11 to 0-10 at the break.

Further scores at the start of the second period from Quilty and Croke threatened to help Mooncoin go clear but initially that wasn’t the case as Murphy and Martin Kelly made it a one puck game once again (1-13 to 0-13).

It was from here that Mooncoin found another level though, as they outscored a fading Blacks and Whites side 1-10 to 0-4 in the remaining minutes.

The goal came from Robbie Doherty as he combined with Killian Hogan before pulling on a dropping ball that whisked past Blacks and Whites goalkeeper Keelin O’Grady.

Sub Oisin Henebery, as well as starting forwards Adam Croke, and Mairtin Gannon all added to their tallies as the game wound up with Mooncoin showcasing why they are seen as one of the main contenders for major honours in the autumn.

For Blacks and Whites, the wait goes on for a first league win and it doesn’t get much easier with James Stephens awaiting in Nowlan Park this weekend.

Teams and Scorers

Mooncoin: Killian Hogan (1-3); Liam Hogan (0-6, 6fs); Adam Croke (0-6); Robbie Doherty (1-1); Jim Delahunty, Ciaran Quilty (0-2 each); Mairtin Gannon, Paul Henebery, Oisin Henebery (0-1 each)

Blacks and Whites: Ryan Murphy (0-6, 6fs); Jason Byrne (0-4); Martin Kelly (0-3); Jamie Byrne, Louie Brennan (0-2 each)

Mooncoin: Donnacha Hogan; Cormac Daly, Aidan Doyle, Sean O’Dwyer; Jim Delahunty, Paul Henebery, Martin O’Neill; Killian Hogan, Sean Gannon; Liam Hogan, Mairtin Gannon, Adam Croke; Ciaran Quilty, Cormac Kinsella, Robbie Doherty.

Subs: Oisin Henebery for Kinsella, 45 mins; James O’Keeffe for L Hogan, 57 mins.

Blacks and Whites: Keelin O’Grady; Jamie Ryan, Daire Murphy, Tommy Joyce; Michael Pender, Paul Murphy, Seanan Doyle; Ryan Murphy, John Lennon; Edward Murphy, Jason Byrne, Ian Foley; Louie Brennan, Martin Kelly, Jamie Byrne.

Subs: Aaron Foley for I.Foley, 43 mins; Killian Phelan for E.Murphy, 47 mins; Joe Kelly for Ryan, 48 mins; James Whitty for Doyle, 60 mins.

Referee: Eoin Hayes