Kilkenny Firsts make impressive debut in national league

History was made as Railway Union welcomed Kilkenny to Park Avenue for their first ever game in the EY2 Hockey League - and what a game it turned out to be!

From the first whistle, Railway Union came flying out of the blocks, launching wave after wave of attacks, but a Kilkenny defence led by the ever-composed Emmett Hughes and the tireless Kyle Hancock, stood tall.

Early pressure from the home side was stifled and, as Railway sought to break through, it was their ’keeper, Ian O’Keeffe, who kept them at bay, making a brilliant save from Fergal Keavney’s strike at the top of the D. There were no goals in the first quarter, but plenty of promise in the air.

The second quarter was where it all came to life. Railway’s Toby Slye-O’Connell broke into the Kilkenny circle, and while his initial shot was saved, the rebound fell kindly to Darragh Curley who pounced to give the hosts the lead.

But Kilkenny were not to be outdone. Just moments later, a brilliant run from Riain Delaney down the right set up Dave McClure. McClure’s pull-back found Andy Atkinson, who showed wonderful composure to fire a reverse sweep into the top corner for a sensational equaliser.

And so, to the second half. Kilkenny came out with real purpose. Eddie Dore was running the show in midfield, dictating the pace. And when Kilkenny won a short corner, up stepped young Riain Delaney.

The 16-year-old’s drag flick was blocked, but his follow-up was as calm as you like, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give Kilkenny the lead. The away side had turned it around and the momentum was with them, but Railway responded by winning a penalty stroke after Lorenzo Della Corte was fouled in the circle. Up stepped Mark English. In his usual style, he calmly wrong-footed O’Keeffe to level things up at 2-2.

The drama just kept on coming. With both sides visibly tiring in the final quarter, Railway came close to taking the lead but it was a penalty corner won off a Kilkenny shin pad the proved to be their undoing. Up stepped Mark English, and this time, the shot was unstoppable. A thunderous flick that found the bottom corner – 3-2 to Railway.

It seemed like the game was slipping away from Kilkenny - but what a response they gave! Eddie Dore picked out Howard McDonnell, who then fed Kieran Delaney. Delaney, with a touch of brilliance, ghosted past two defenders before delivering a perfect cross into the circle. A slight deflection off the railway stopper sent the ball airborne, and there was Javier Romero, the Argentine striker with lightning-fast reflexes, to volley the ball into the net.

A dramatic equaliser, the away side had earned the draw and what could be a very valuable two points.

The final whistle blew on a game which was a magnificent advert for the league. Kilkenny, in their first-ever game at this level, showed incredible heart, character and quality. Standout performances from Riain Delaney, Eddie Dore, and the defensive stalwarts like Kyle Hancock and Emmett Hughes were key.

Next up for the men from Kilkenny is Bandon at home. A result like this will do their confidence the world of good. And so, after an opening round full of drama, it’s all to play for in Pool A of Irish hockey’s second tier of the national league.

Kilkenny Firsts - Ian O’Keeffe, Kyle Hancock, Emmett Hughes, John McNamara, Howard McDonnell, Riain Delaney, Billy McHenry, Eddie Dore, Andy Atkinson, Sean Corbett, Eoin Finnegan, Dave McClure, Javier Romero, Pablo Gimenez, Kieren Delaney, Eddie Healy.