Kilkenny IHL- Lisdowney hold out in feisty affair with Dunnamaggin

Goals from Andrew McEvoy and Luke Holohan proved crucial as Lisdowney held off Dunnamaggin in a game that was on edge all the way through on Sunday afternoon.

As well as the hurling, the other major talking point resulted in Joe Fitzpatrick and Cathal Jordan both receiving straight cards for their role in sparking off a melee that involved a large number of players.

The incident occured inside the final 10 minutes and put something of a sour note on what was a hugely enjoyable contest.

While Lisdowney, got a good spread of scores, Dunnamaggin were largely reliant on Denis Walsh who put in a super display in scoring six points from play.

The intermediate league has been one of contrasting fortunes thus far for the two teams with Lisdowney winning both their games and Dunnamaggin losing both of theirs but that form went out the window with the result in doubt right up until the final play.

Dunnamaggin had the aid of a strong breeze at their back in the opening period and through points from Denis Walsh, John Fitzpatrick, Joe Fitzpatrick and Sean Carroll they moved into an early 0-8 to 0-3 lead.

The beaten side looked very much at ease with themselves at this point but the home side soon came to life when David O’Carroll claimed a high ball in the danger area before offloading Andrew McEvoy who batted the sliotar over James Logue and into the net.

Lisdowney followed up on that goal with successive Brian Kavanagh frees before they added a second goal via McEvoy in the 23rd minute.

Trevor Fletcher’s side led by three at the point and it could have been an even bigger advantage had Logue not made an incredible double stop from both Richard and Andrew McEvoy.

Dunnamaggin were very much on the back foot at this point but they finished the opening period with four of the last five points as the teams went into the dressing rooms on level terms (2-8 to 0-14).

Three more points from placed balls by Brian Kavanagh pushed Lisdowney’s noses in front in the second half and when Luke Holohan benefited from a point attempt by Kavanagh hitting the post, the corner forward was in the right place to get their third goal.

Dunnamaggin still wouldn’t go away though and led by Denis Walsh and Andy Hickey, they continued to eat into the deficit with home supporters getting nervous with every passing minute.

The scuffle for the red cards stalled the momentum briefly but Walsh who was having one of those on days still managed to score four more points and there was only a puck of the ball between the teams going into added time.

Lisdowney toughed it out though with late points from Eibhann McEvoy and Liam Dunphy proving sufficient as they battled to a two point success that hardens their place at the top of the group table.

Teams and Scorers

Lisdowney: Brian Kavanagh (0-9, 7fs and 1 ‘65); Andrew McEvoy (2-1); Luke Holohan (1-0); Kevin Sweeney (0-3); Liam Dunphy, Eibhann McEvoy (0-2 each); Cathal Jordan (0-1)

Dunnamaggin: Denis Walsh (0-15, 7fs and 2 65’s); John Fitzpatrick (0-3, 1f); Andy Hickey (0-2); Eoghan Kearney (0-1, 1f); Sean Carroll, Joe Fitzpatrick, Ray Cody, Ruaidhri Holden (0-1 each)

Lisdowney: Aidan Tallis; Alan Dunphy, Ben Tallis, Laurence Campion; Dylan Jordan, Niall Brennan, Michael Kenny; Kevin Sweeney, David O’Carroll; Richard McEvoy, Cathal Jordan, Andrew McEvoy; Brian Kavanagh, Liam Dunphy, Luke Holohan.

Subs: Eibhann McEvoy for Holohan, 41 mins; Vinny Fitzpatrick for R.McEvoy, 50 mins.

Dunnamaggin: James Logue; Shaun O’Keeffe, Harry Walsh, Ian Walsh; Darragh O’Keeffe, Eoghan Kearney, Joe Fitzpatrick; Andy Hickey, Paul Kirwan; Sean Carroll, Ray Cody, Peter Kenneally; Denis Walsh, John Fitzpatrick, Adam Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Ruaidhri Holden for Carroll, 40 mins; JJ Dunphy for A.Fitzpatrick, 56 mins.

Referee; Gay Rafter (Threecastles)