It's a return to Kilkenny senior hurling for James Stephens

James Stephens completed the league and championship double when they beat the Rower-Inistioge in the county final | Willie Dempsey

placeholder image — James Stephens completed the league and championship double when they beat the Rower-Inistioge in the county final | Willie Dempsey

See this week’s Kilkenny People for more from the big game - out Wednesday

James Stephens 1-16, Rower-Inistioge 0-16

TWO years after they fell through the relegation trapdoor, James Stephens are back in the big time!

The city side booked a return to Kilkenny’s senior hurling championship for 2027, but had to fight for the spoils when pushed all the way by a determined Rower-Inistioge.

The Village, who lost last year’s intermediate final, made sure there wouldn’t be a repeat dose of heartbreak when they ground out strong spells in either half of Sunday’s final in UPMC Nowlan Park.

The silverware was within touching distance when sub Willie Spencer fired home from close range with 57 minutes on the clock, but the groundwork of their victory came long before that. Key to their winning return was a first half purple patch in which they hit seven unanswered points, a run which took them from two points down to five in front (0-10 to 0-6).

Trailing by two points (0-5 to 0-3) with 14 minutes on the clock, the Village raised their game and clicked into gear. Ed Lauhoff got the ball rolling with a point from distance, before captain Cian Kenny split the City End posts from an acute angle. They kicked on, taking the lead for the first time when Tadhg O’Dwyer converted an 18th minute free.

That score gave the Village real belief. With the likes of McDermott, Kenny and Luke Scanlon leading the way they tacked on more scores, McDermott, O’Dwyer (free) and Sean Deely leading the way.

James Stephens captain Cian Kenny and Niall Delaney lift the cup after Sunday's win | Kilkenny People

The Rower, who had dominated the early stages of the game, did end their barren spell before half-time courtesy of a Kevin Murphy point, but it was the Village who held the upper hand at the break (0-10 to 0-6).

Keen to maintain their momentum the Village were quickest out of the traps on the restart, pulling further in front thanks to two points from Tadhg O’Dwyer (free). The gap could have been greater - Stephen Manogue sparked panic when he found room to squeeze a close range shot past netminder Patrick Lyng, but full-back Shane Ryan was there to sweep the sliotar clear.

Gradually the Rower began to raise their game. Inspired by the hard-working trio of George Murphy, Jim Ryan and Eoin O’Brien they began to get the upper hand in the middle third. Combined with points from Ned Spellman, a Patrick Lyng free from his own half and one from Jack Roche, their confidence grew at the deficit fell (0-12 to 0-9).

They got closer when Eoghan Lyng converted another free, but only after Sean Manogue had to move smartly to prevent Spellman from pouncing on a loose ball close to the line. That fright sparked the Village back into action, McDermott working hard to mine two points, but they started to believe victory was theirs when Willie Spencer pulled to the net from close range after Eoin Guilfoyle’s shot was parried into his path.

Even then the Rower didn’t give in. Lyng (two frees) and Tom O’Callaghan narrowed the gap to a goal, but there was no way the Village were letting this one go.

Scorers

James Stephens: Tadhg O’Dwyer (0-6, 0-5 frees); Willie Spencer (1-0); Ed McDermott (0-3); Cian Kenny, Eoin Guilfoyle (0-2 each); Ed Lauhoff, Sean Deely, Luke Scanlon (0-1 each).

The Rower-Inistioge: Eoghan Lyng (0-6, 0-5 frees); Jack Roche (0-3); Jim Ryan, Kevin Murphy (0-2 each); Ned Spellman, Tom O’Callaghan (0-1 each); Patrick Lyng (0-1, free).