Kilkenny JHC- Late scoring run helps Windgap get past Graignamanagh

This intriguing junior hurling quarter-final between Graignamanagh and Windgap - sides who may not have met since their senior days - went right down to the wire before three late points sent Windgap on their way to the semi-finals.

Played in well-appointed Inistioge, a very strong and swirling breeze up the river towards Coppenagh Hill assisted the Barrowsiders in the opening half but it was Jack Doyle and Billy Power who opened the scoring for Windgap.

After Michael Bolger and Richard Foley levelled the scores the Graig side held sway in the game. It saw Jack Ryan and Ivan Bolger driving them forward without any reward, as their wides tally had grown to seven before Emmett Landy pointed Windgap ahead with a free in the 11th minute.

The next nine minutes saw Ted Dunne equalise and Michael Bolger put his side back ahead, before Emmett Landy and Michel Bolger traded frees to see Graig leading by 0-5 to 0-4 after 30 minutes.

The tempo of the game was opening up at this stage and when James Culleton won a puck-out he found James Power who fed Billy Power for the game’s first goal to put Windgap ahead by 1-4 to 0-5.

Within minutes Graig had added five points on the trot through Richie Foley, Pierce Blanchfield, and Michael Bolger - one of his shots had to be pushed over the crossbar - to see them lead by 0-10 to 1-4.

With just three minutes to go to the break, Windgap’s response was instant - and devastating. Pat Grace got a flick-on a high ball and sent it flashing to the net, before Michael Bolger replied. Within seconds, Pat Grace was the quickest to react, finishing after Sean Purcell’s initial shot had been saved. The final score of the half saw Michael Bolger pointing a free that saw Windgap go in 3-4 to 0-12 up at the break.

During the interval the fine crowd had lots to dwell on as Graig had struck 10 wides and 12 scores to just three wides and seven scores for Windgap. All wondered whether the breeze would help or hamper Windgap in the second half.

With Graig starting the new half with a sweeper, two half goal chances came their way, forcing good saves from Eoin O’Shea. However the scoring pattern saw Windgap lead the way with a brace of points from James Power and Jack Doyle in reply to a single score from Terry Dreeling. When the scoring sequence was repeated it saw Windgap lead by 3-8 to 0-14 after 42 minutes.

Windgap, led by Niall Walsh, hit a good patch with five unanswered points to lead by 3-13 to 0-14. However, any thoughts people may have had that the game was done and dusted were quickly erased as Sean Holden and James Meaney pointed and Seamus Kavanagh slipped the defence to goal, reducing the lead to three points (3-13 to 1-16) after 52 minutes.

After James Culleton and Sean Purcell extended Windgap’s lead Eoin O’Shea was called on to make a crucial save. Michael Bolger pointed the resultant 65, making a four point game once again. Another exchange of points by James Power and Ivan Bolger after a surging run for goal saw the score at 3-16 to 1-18 with a minute of normal time to go. The remaining minutes were both tense and exciting. Graig dropped in three frees around the goalmouth, but Windgap held firm, adding three points of their own to book a semi-final place.

Overall it was a very competitive game that saw the ever-improving Graig side led by Ivan Bolger at centre back, Jack Ryan and the game’s top scorer Michael Bolger, who gave everything for the cause. For Windgap, the play of Jack Doyle, James Power, Niall Walsh and Pat Grace laid the foundation for victory.

Teams and scorers

Windgap - Eoin O’Shea; Cian Ryan, Sean Foley, Padhraic Foley; Willie Phelan, Niall Walsh, Sean Purcell (0-1); Darragh O’Shea, Séan Power; Pat Grace (2-1), Emmett Landy (0-7, 0-5 frees), Jack Doyle (0-5); James Culleton (0-1), James Power (0-3), Billy Power (1-1).

Subs: Zak Kennedy for Séan Foley, Michael Power for Billy Power, Killian Enright for Séan Power, Pat Power for William Phelan. Adam O’Shea for Jack Doyle.

Graignamanagh - Séan Carroll; Séan Walsh, Jack Ryan, Joe Dowling; James Meaney, Ian Bolger (0-1), Thomas O’Donnell; Terry Dreelan, (0-1), Pierce Blanchfield (0-1); Séan Hamilton (0-1), Richard Foley (0-2), Michael Bolger (0-10, 0-5 frees, 0-1 65); Sean Holden (0-1), Ted Dunne (0-1), Stephen Kinsella:

Subs: Seamus Kavanagh (1-0) for Stephen Kinsella, Nicky Ryan for Terry Dreelan, Sean Dowling for Thomas O’Donnell, Niall Hayden for Sean Walsh.

Referee - Eoin Hayes (Thomastown).