Counsel tie abandoned following serious injury
(ABANDONED AFTER 34 MINS.) THE TOP Oil Leinster Schools Senior hurling ‘A’ semi-final involving Kilkenny C.B.S. and Good Counsel College (New Ross) was abandoned after 34 minutes as the result of an injury to a player, with the Noresiders leading by 2-5 to 0-3, in Thomastown on Saturday.
Four minutes into the second-half, Good Counsel wing-forward Jim Ryan went down injured following an accidental aerial clash when moving onto a high ball. Laois referee Brochan O’Reilly immediately called for assistance as the player lay motionless on the ground.
Within minutes the emergency services were alerted, with the player unconscious as mentors rushed to his aid.
After about 15 minutes a doctor attended the ground having being conveyed by gardai, while some 30 minutes after the incident the ambulance arrived, with the player being removed to Kilkenny Hospital more than 40 minutes following the injury.
Thankfully he had regained consciousness before he left the ground but was brought to hospital for medical examination, as the collision was around the upper neck and head.
There was confusion as to whether the game would continue. Both teams had long left the pitch, with the referee indicating that the match had been abandoned.
However, following a conversation with a Leinster Council representative the referee said it was being left to the players from both sides to decide if they wanted to continue. However, Good Counsel decided against resuming the game.
With mock exams next week, and Kilkenny C.B.S. transition year students leaving for Germany midweek, it was hoped to have the re-fixture this Monday or Tuesday.
At the time of the abandonment Kilkenny C.B.S. led by 2-5 to 0-3, having been 2-5 to 0-2 up at the interval after controlling the opening half.
The C.B.S. side got off to a lightning start with three points inside the opening three minutes through two Seán Bolger frees and Niall Brassil. Good Counsel were finding it difficult to settle, looking somewhat over-anxious and spilling hard-won possession which was capitalised upon by their opponents.
Kilkenny C.B.S. had their opening goal after five minutes when Seán Maher knifed his way through the defence to fire high into the net, leaving his side leading by 1-3 to nil, not the start the Good Counsel boys were looking for.
They had to wait until the eleventh minute for their opening score, a Sam Wall pointed ‘65 after his initial shot had been turned around the post by ‘keeper Ben Maher, but a second C.B.S. goal after 13 minutes through Seán Boyd gave his side a 2-4 to 0-1 lead.
Counsel only managed a further Luke Sinnott pointed free before the break.
In the shortlived second-half Sam Wall had pointed a 32nd minute before Ryan suffered his unfortunate injury.
Good Counsel: Jack ByrneDoyle (Mullinavat); Gavin Sheehan (Gusserane), Ricky McGrath (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Darragh Hartley (Glenmore); Darragh Lyons (St. James’), Eoin Porter (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Cathal O’Connor (Rathnure); Richard Hennessy (Glenmore), Emmett Coakley (Graiguenamanagh); Jim Ryan (The Rower-Inistioge), Sam Wall (Gusserane, 0-2 frees), Seán Nolan (Horeswood); Diarmuid Kehoe (Geraldine O’Hanrahans), Luke Sinnott (Taghmon-Camross, 0-1 free), Jamie Myler (St. James’).
Kilkenny C.B.S.: Ben Maher; Liam Stynes, Johnny Manogue, Conor Flynn; Mickey Butler, Jordan Molloy, Ronan Buckley; Des Dunne (0-1), Cillian Timmons; Niall Brassil (0-1), Treveine Wallace, Conor Heary; Seán Bolger (1-3, 0-3 frees), Seán Boyd (1-0), Shane Staunton. Sub. - Conor Drennan for Staunton, inj.
Referee: Brochan O’Reilly (Laois).