Dicksboro U13s overcome Ballyhale Shamrocks’ game showing

U13HC A Quarter Final

Kilkenny: St James’ Park

August 30, 2020 6.00pm

Dicksboro 3-11 Ballyhale Shamrocks 3-6

Dicksboro’s U13 A panel advanced to the County semi finals after an enterprising and deserved win over Ballyhale Shamrocks on a cool and breezy evening at St James’ Park.

This meeting, never less than competitive, produced a commendable standard for the grade. Both sides lined out plenty of promising hurlers. Mapping these clubs’ encounters over the next four years should become a nice subplot.

Although the hour began with highly committed exchanges, its first score did not arrive until the 9th minute, when the Shamrocks’ Michael Barron slotted a free won by Conor Holohan. Three minutes later, the lively Oisín Henderson equalized with his own conversion.

Momentum suffered from wides at both ends. Into the bargain, the country club saw two good goal chances snuffed out by alert custodian Rian Dowling.

Following the water break, Joe Dowling shot a lovely point, establishing a ’Boro lead. Barron then turned equalizer, via a fine effort from play. Efforts by Dan Carroll and Samuel John O’Shea (free) were the prelude to an excellent Henderson goal, as the city club took control. Their lead on 22 minutes stretched to five points, 1-4 to 0-2.

Next minute, Cathal Coogan found a marvellous reply, arrowing over a long range free. Henderson and O’Shea augmented from play, before Jake Mullen countered with another terrific free from distance, closing the half’s scoring.

Halftime: 1-6 to 0-4.

Ballyhale Shamrocks opted for a rejig, with the same Mullen now at full forward. Himself and doughty full back Seán Kavanagh proceeded to a tremendous battle.

Samuel John O’Shea reopened scoring with a free, before Mullen goaled in the 33rd minute. Game right back on, at 1-7 to 1-4.

The new full forward narrowed the gap with a free conjured by Con O’Neill. Two further expert conversions by O’Shea established breathing space, before Mullen pointed from an acute angle for 1-9 to 1-6.

On 45 minutes, as the second water break loomed, Dicksboro put together a sparkling attack. Tiernan O’Brien made the initial incision down the right, crossing to where Eoin Moore lurked. He ensured the flag’s colour was green.

Ballyhale Shamrocks, down six points at 2-9 to 1-6, did not panic. Mullen seized and converted a penalty in the 48th minute. Game back on, again.

But the ’Boro boys, in their turn, waved away panic. This time, two O’Shea frees were the prelude to a second Eoin Moore goal on 58 minutes. At 3-11 to 2-6, the outcome flew clear.

Game to the last, Mullen got fouled for a 20 metre free in added time, netting a low drive. This admirable effort shaved the margin but left the outcome untouched.

Fulltime: 3-11 to 3-6.

BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS Theo Drennan, Brían Ryan, Killian Ryan, Seán O’Mahony, Cathal Coogan 0-1 (f), Jake Mullen 3-3 (1-2f, 1-0 pen), David Kolodziez captain, Luke Cummins, Tommy Walsh, Michael Barron 0-2 (1f), Rory McMahon, Con O’Neill, Donnchadh Grant, James Ryan, Conor Holohan.

Subs: Jim Connolly for Conor Holohan (ht), Max Corbett, Eric Murphy, Jamie Murphy, Henry Shefflin; Reece Drennan (away), Jayden Fitzpatrick (away), Tiernan Shefflin (inj).

DICKSBORO Rian Dowling, Jack Treacy, Seán Kavanagh, Conor Tynan, Noah Gibbons, Josh Dowling, Jack Delaney, Dan Carroll captain 0-1, Samuel John O’Shea 0-7 (6f), Luke Brown, Oisín Henderson 1-2 (0-1f), Joe Dowling 0-1, James Kavanagh, Eoin Moore 2-0, Tiernan O’Brien.

Subs: Robert Lacey for Tiernan O’Brien (52m).

Referee: Éamonn Larkin (James Stephens).