Kilkenny JHL- Galmoy impress in big junior win over Piltown

Four quickfire points in as many minutes, set Galmoy up to lead all the way to defeat Piltown in Round 3 of the Premier Junior Hurling League in windy St John’s Park on Saturday evening last.

Galmoy were quickly out of the blocks and, backed by the strong breeze, struck early through Billy Drennan (2), Callum Lonergan and Ryan Murphy.

Two converted frees by Daryl Maye, got Piltown off the ground in the sixth minute.

Niall Drennan and Billy Drennan added points from play, before Piltown hit their first from play in the 14th minute from Cian Kinsella after a Martin Power pass.

Oisín Phelan played well at midfield and struck over in the 15th minute, with Conor Drennan adding a monster from distance almost immediately.

Martin Power pulled one back for Piltown, when he soloed in from the left and split the posts to leave it 0-8 to 0-4 at the end of the first quarter.

Three points in quick succession from Billy Drennan stretched the Galmoy lead.

The third of those came from a 65 after Piltown ‘keeper Pauric Wall turned away a Jason Stanley shot on goal in the 20 th minute.

The only goal of the game came in the 29th minute.

Conor Drennan won a ball in defence before passing to Ryan Murphy, who in turn, flicked the ball on to Callum Lonergan.

Lonergan ran at the Piltown defence before batting to the net from close range.

Immediately after this, Galmoy’s Brendan Phelan received a blow which eventually saw him have to leave the field of play.

As a result, Piltown were reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game, as Galmoy lead 1-15 to 0-6 at half time after playing with the aid of a strong breeze.

Piltown did have one goal chance of their own in that half when a 27 th minute Cian Kinsella shot from the right hand side ballooned back in to play off Brian Kelly’s crossbar only for Niall O Brien to put the rebound wide.

Despite being against the elements, Galmoy took up where they left off after the interval and after a couple of wide balls, their lead was extended by centre back Conor Drennan.

Points from Billy and Niall Drennan and Callum Lonergan kept the North Kilkenny contingent in control with Daryl Maye tagging on three frees for Piltown.

In fact, they only hit one point from play, that coming from Cian Kinsella in the 51 st minute, and it was their final score.

Pauric Wall brought off a great save from a Billy Drennan shot while at the other end, Conor Grace saved an attempt on goal by Daryl Maye from a late 20 metre free.

Galmoy: Brian Kelly, Kieran Phelan, Nigel Stanley, Dylan Grace , Conor Grace, Conor Drennan (0-2), Gearóid Phelan, Sean Phelan (Capt.)(0-1), Niall Drennan (0-2), Billy Drennan (0-11, 0-7 frees), Ryan Murphy (0-2), Brendan Phelan, Callum Lonergan (1-2), Jason Stanley, Oisín Phelan (0-2).

Subs Used: Odhrán Moloney, Tom Corcoran, Colm Smith, Tom Phelan and John Dermody.

Piltown: Pauric Wall, Eoin Reid, Darragh Walsh, Michael O Dwyer, Robert Tobin, Niall Kinsella, Aaron Kinsella, Aidan Walsh, Daryl Maye (0-7,0-6 frees), Cian Kinsella (Capt.)(0-2), Kevin Brophy, Martin Power (0-1), Niall O Brien, Tom Reid ,Gavin Flynn.

Subs Used: Andrew Phelan, John Kenny and Conor McGowan.

Referee: Colin Tobin (Young Irelands)