Kilkenny IHL- Gowran strike late to secure place in league decider

Young Irelands from Gowran had a tough encounter before earning the right to get into the league final ring with Lisdowney next weekend when taking care of the stern challenge presented by a no-compromising St Martin’s outfit who were certainly not for bending in a good value encounter in Clara on Sunday.

Playing with the very cold wind in the first half, the Gowran men played second fiddle for a long stretch in that first half.

Sean Hunt got the Muckalee outfit away with a point after 45 seconds. Ted Drea answered with a fine brace of similar value.

It was all Gowran for the first 10 minutes when points by Padraig O’Neill, and a Sean Carey free had Young Irelands ahead by double scores (0-4 to 0-2).

And then Shane Kinsella stepped into the full glare of the spotlight. He was flawless with every attempted conversion presented.

By the 24th minute he had belted five diamonds between the Young Irelands posts.

The Gowran men needed at least a six point lead going into the second half if they were to get into the winner’s enclosure.

As things evolved, that Carey point and another by Padraig O’Neill was the best they could manufacture before the break.

They could have had more but a penalty in the 29th minute was brilliantly blocked by Colm McGrath, which left the half-time scorecard reading St Martins 0-9, Young Irelands 0-6.

To their credit, the Young Irelands men came back out for the second half with all guns blazing. By the 43rd minute they had whittled away the St Martins lead as the sides stood at 0-10 apiece.

The hits went in like the blades of a high-end ditch cutter. It was very honest, and without rancour.

There were a few yellows but purely for the purpose to cool situations. Punters loved every challenge.

The referee was excellent. He kept the game flying, and well under control.

Points were grabbed and some efforts failed. Four times the sides were level.

Jim Langton got a great point in the 43rd minute, but Colin McGrath got a better one a couple of minutes later.

Jack Brennan levelled matters within two minutes.

Ted Drea and Sean Carey afforded their side a two-point advantage by the 58th minute.

Adam Comerford and the excellent Jamie Morrissey pulled the reigns on the Gowran lads with two super scores.

Diarmuid Langton hit a peach in the 61 st minute, but still no feadóg. Jack Brennan won a ball and sliced it over for the lead and as the ball was in dropping behind Jason Brennan’s goal the final whistle sounded much to the relief of the men from Gowran.

On balance the more fancied team won the game given that they failed to get anything from a penalty thanks to a brilliant save by Colin McGrath.

They hurled much better in the second half with their big players more conspicuous than they were in the first half.

Sean Carey, Diarmuid Langton when he came on, Seamus Farrell, Ted Drea, Bobbie Brennan and Mikey Carey particularly in the second half were very impressive.

For St Martin’s the work of players, like Colin Mc Grath, Brian Byrne, Brian Cody, John Mulhall, Shane Kinsella and Jamie Morrissey never stopped trying for the famed red and green.

Teams and Scorers

Young Irelands - Sean Carey (0-5, 0-4 frees); Ted Drea (0-4); Padraig O’Neill, Jack Brennan (0-2 each); Jim Langton, Diarmuid Langton (0-1 each).

St Martin’s - Shane Kinsella (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65); Brian Cody (0-2); Adam Comerford, Sean Hunt, Jamie Morrissey (0-1 each), Colin McGrath (0-1, free).

Young Irelands - Jason Brennan, Geoff Brennan, Bobbie Brennan, Sean Farrell, Pat Farrell, Mikey Carey, Paddy Langton, Killian Carey, Padraig Naddy, Jimmy Lennon, Seamus Farrell, Padraig O’Neill, Sean Carey, Ted Drea, Tommy Phelan.

Subs: Sean Middleton, Diarmuid Langton, Ben Phelan, Jack Brennan.

St Martin’s - Colin McGrath, Ollie Walsh, Adam Comerford, Mathew Bolger, Justin Manning, Brian Byrne, Cathal Keegan, Aaron Farrell, Tristan Roche, Donal Shore, Brian Coady, John Mulhall, Shane Kinsella, Sean Hunt, Jamie Morrissey.

Subs: Russell Kealy, Tadhg Gill, Jack Farrell, David Walsh.

Referee - Patrick O’Reilly (Barrow Rangers)