Kilkenny IHL- Subs play starring role in Gowran win

A late scoring burst gave Young Irelands breathing space as they wrapped up their second win of the intermediate league at the expense of Fenians.

In what was a ding-dong affair, Gowran scored the last eight points on the trot with super subs Jake Byrne, Diarmuid Langton and Cian Phelan providing five between them as they went clear on the scoreboard late on.

Gowran had opened up a five point first half advantage but Fenians battled back brilliantly to even lead after points from Mark Webster and Padraig O’Grady and it was only when Tommy Phelan netted Young Irelands second goal in the 45th minute that the tide began to turn.

Twelve different players getting on the scoresheet for Gowran was also a telling factor as the side in red and white pointed efforts from all angles.

Played in front of a decent attendance in Jenkinstown, it was Johnstown who started the better with Mark Webster converting a free on a day where he scored 0-12 in total.

Rory Garrett and Sean Tobin also pointed for the North Kilkenny side in the opening 10 minutes but Gowran gradually got on top and by the 11th minute they had opened up a double scores lead (0-6 to 0-3).

Padraig Naddy, Jimmy Lennon, Seamus Farrell, Ted Drea and Tommy Phelan all got on the mark for Gowran while they also had a big goal chance when Ted Drea fired into the side-netting after Sean Carey found him in space.

Mark Webster kept Fenians in touch with a number of converted frees but Gowran continued to make the running with scores from Paddy Langton, Sean Carey and Ted Drea before they then got the game’s opening goal via Seamus Farrell wen he caught a long puckout from Jason Brennan before powering into the danger zone and shooting to the net.

Webster and Farrell then exchanged the last two scores of the half as Gowran led 1-12 to 0-10 on the back of playing with a strong breeze.

When Fenians scored five of the first six points at the start of the second half, it was very much game on with Webster’s frees as well as efforts from play by Willie Brennan and Conor Tobin really putting the pressure on their opponents.

Gowran kept plugging away with scores from Seamus Farrell and Padraig O’Neill but the Johnstown rally was in full force at this stage and after Webster levelled with his tenth point of the day, himself and Padraig O’Grady then helped their side into a two point lead (0-19 to 1-14).

Johnstown would only score two more points however as Gowran really got going and the catalyst of the scoring spree was a Tommy Phelan goal that helped them retake the lead,

The goal seemed to increase the Gowran confidence levels and they finished the game in ruthless fashion with the impact subs as well as Sean Carey, Ted Drea and Sean Farrell all contributing for a big win on the scoreboard come the final whistle.

Teams and Scorers

Young Irelands - Sean Carey (0-7, 5fs); Seamus Farrell (1-2); Ted Drea (0-4); Tommy Phelan (1-0); Diarmuid Langton, Jake Byrne (0-2 each); Paddy Langton (0-1, 1f); Sean Farrell, Padraig Naddy, Jimmy Lennon, Padraig O’Neill, Cian Phelan (0-1 each).

Fenians - Mark Webster (0-12, 10fs); Willie Brennan (0-3); Rory Garrett (0-2); Sean Tobin, Conor Tobin, Mark Hughes, Padraig O’Grady (0-1 each)

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

Subs: Jack Brennan for B Brennan, 22 mins; Emmet Byrne for Lennon, h/t; Diarmuid Langton for Phelan, 50 mins; Jake Byrne for Naddy, 50 mins; Cian Phelan for G Brennan, 55 mins.

Fenians - Billy Garrett; Paddy McCormack, John Henderson, Eoin Phelan; Rory Phelan, Kieran Grehan, Rory Garrett; Willie Brennan, Niall Carroll; Mark Hughes, Darragh McCormack, Sean Tobin; Cathal Phelan, Conor Tobin, Mark Webster.

Subs: Jerry Henderson for P McCormack, 17 mins; Padraig O’Grady for C Tobin, 27 mins; Pa Duggan for D McCormack, 50 mins; Adam Duggan for S Tobin, 55 mins.

Referee - Paddy Bowden (Lisdowney).