Kilkenny SHL- Graigue Ballycallan see off ’Comer in competitive affair

Graigue-Ballycallan led all the way in this competitive senior hurling clash at sunny Urlingford on Saturday last and, despite a late rally by Erin’s Own (Castlecomer), were the slightly better team throughout.

Two early points from Jesse Roberts and an Aaron McEvoy free preceded the first goal of the game in the fifth minute.

McEvoy began a good move on the right wing, which ended with Aaron Brennan offloading to Ryan Corcoran, who shot low past Sean Buggy.

Tommy Ronan added a point before a minute later ,the ’Comer side had their first point from Michael Brennan after good work by Jack Buggy who immediately added a free after a foul on Shane Coogan.

Graigue then added four in succession before Buggy put over two more frees.

It was Graigue who finished the half the stronger with a point by Sean Ryan and two frees by Aaron McEvoy, both won by county man Billy Ryan, they had done enough to lead by nine at the interval (1-10 to 0-4).

Ryan Corcoran popped over two points in quick succession, along with another McEvoy free before Jack Buggy replied from a placed ball after a foul on Michael Murphy.

Conor Fogarty went on to have a most influential second half, his play being added to by scoring four good points from play.

Graigue, however, were still bossing this game and a succession of points from Sean Ryan, Tommy Ronan(2) and one from corner back Stephen Keoghan left them 15 points to the good (1-20 to 0-8) at the three -quarter stage.

They may have looked down, but Erin’s Own never gave up. In the 46th minute, Michael Brennan took a pass from Conor Fogarty and pointed from the left.

A minute later, it was Brennan again, this time after a Jack Buggy pass, who shot low and strong past Jack Walton in the Graigue goal.

Two minutes on and James Brennan sent a long free into the goalmouth.

When the ball broke it was John Dowd who one handed the sliotar over the line. Suddenly a 15 point lead had been whittled down to eight, (1-10 to 2-9).

Graigue settled themselves however, with two fine frees from Aaron McEvoy from the left wing.

Back came Erin’s Own again though, and they hit six points in the last eight minutes. While defeat was their lot, their finish sent out a stern warning that they will not be an easy opponent for any team over the coming weeks.

Teams and Scorers

Graigue Ballycallan - Jack Walton; Jeff Neary, Conor Flynn, Stephen Keoghan (0-1); Killian Egan, Tom

Dunphy, Billy O’Neill; Sean Ryan (0-2), Billy Ryan (0-3); Aaron McEvoy (0-9 frees), Tommy Ronan (0-4), Aaron Brennan; Ben Young, Jesse Roberts (0-2), Ryan Corcoran (1-3).

Subs: Sean O’Dwyer for Jesse Roberts, 55 mins; Oisín Egan for Sean Ryan, 59 mins.

Erin’s Own - Sean Buggy; Cathal Holland, Conor Delaney, John Dowd (1-0); Ciarán Wallace(0-1), James Brennan, Aidan Moran; Declan Buggy, Shane Feehan; Declan Dunne, Conor Fogarty (0-4), Michael Brennan (1-2); Shane Coogan (0-1), Michael Murphy, Jack Buggy (0-5 frees).

Subs: Eoghan Moore for Conor Delaney (inj), nine mins; Dan Coogan (0-1) for Declan Dunne, 41 mins; Joey Ryan for Michael Murphy, 41 mins; Robert Moran for James Brennan (inj), 54 mins; James Coogan (0-1) for Shane Coogan, 59 mins.

Referee - Peter Burke (Emeralds).