Counsel never looked back after strong start
GOOD COUNSEL College proved too hot for Kilkenny C.B.S. to handle as they advanced to the Top Oil Leinster Post Primary Schools Junior hurling ‘A’ championship final in Thomastown on Wednesday.
The New Ross boys made their intentions known in a powerful first quarter. They built a 2-6 to 0-2 lead after 15 minutes and were able to control the game throughout the remaining 45 to take the victory.
This looks like a well-balanced, dangerous Counsel team. They defended with vigour against a Kilkenny school that went looking for goals early in the second-half. Kyle Martin between the sticks was rock solid too, making several critical stops in the final quarter.
It would have been unjust had C.B.S. found their way past the Rathnure clubman and turned this game around.
Counsel attacked with a speed and directness that saw five of their starting forwards on the scoresheet.
It was 0-2 each when Cian Byrne picked A.J. Redmond out in the right corner. The dangerous forward had plenty to do when he took possession but, after cutting inside, he unleashed a rocket that Philly Drennan just couldn’t stop.
Conor Kehoe pulled home from a long, searching ball forward shortly after the opener and, with Donal Porter picking off points, Counsel were soon in a healthy position. Yet they managed just one second quarter point as Kilkenny chipped away at their lead (2-7 to 0-7 at half-time).
The momentum from the end of the first period didn’t continue after the break. A string of Redmond frees ensured Good Counsel entered the last twelve minutes with a nine-point advantage (2-12 to 0-9).
Tomás Dunne gave his side a little hope when he swatted a loose ball to the net from fully 20 metres out in the 50th minute but Kilkenny couldn’t build on that major fillip. Instead, Good Counsel knuckled down and sped away.
Jack Kehoe scored a fine point before Cian Byrne hauled in a long ball forward and smashed a shot high past Drennan. The ten-point victory sees Good Counsel into the final opposite either St. Kieran’s or Borris.
Good Counsel College: Kyle Martin (Rathnure); Owen Lennon (Rathnure), Simon Kennedy (Tullogher-Rosbercon), Dylan Whelan (Fethard); Pádraig Dempsey (Mullinavat), Emmet Cullen (Gusserane), Jamie Sheehan (Gusserane); Jack Kehoe (Horeswood, 0-1), Jason Byrne (Graiguenamanagh); A.J. Redmond (Rathnure, 1-7, 0-7 frees), Luke ByrneDoyle (Mullinavat, 0-1), Coleman O’Sullivan (Tullogher-Rosbercon); Cian Byrne (Fethard, 1-1), Donal Porter (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown, 0-3), Conor Kehoe (St. Mullins, 1-1). Subs. - Jack Elliott (Glenmore) for Byrne (50), Robin Davis (Mullinavat) for O’Sullivan (56), Joe O’Sullivan for C. Byrne (57), Darragh Roche (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown) for Redmond (58), Brian Walsh (Tullogher-Rosbercon) for Porter (60).
Kilkenny C.B.S.: Philly Drennan; Cian Rowe, Evan Whearty, Tristan Roche; Colm O’Hara, Dan Dowling (0-2), Ben Tyrrell; James O’Keeffe (01), Seán Middleton (0-1); Leon Hayes, Tomás Dunne (1-2, 0-1 free, 0-1 ‘65), Gearóid Dunne; Aaron Murphy (0-2), Kieran O’Neill, Mikey Clifford (0-2). Subs. - Jack O’Connell for Hayes (38), Thomas Lawlor for Middleton (47), Justin Manning for O’Hara (50), Liam Moore for Clifford (58).
Referee: Pat Kehoe (Carlow).