Kilkenny 0-19
Limerick 0-18
A TIGHT AND tense All-Ireland hurling decider in Thurles eventually swung the way of the Kilkenny U20 side today as they packed a marginally strong scoring punch than Limerick in the finale.
The teams were level 14 times throughout and extra-time appeared inevitable for long stages, such was the evenly-matched nature of the contest.
But Kilkenny broke free to forge a lead of two points on a couple of occasions, inspired by man-of-the-match Billy Drennan as he landed 0-9, and then their defence was able to withstand Limerick’s late rally.
Timmy Clifford made a break along the right wing to rifle over a 61st minute point that left them two clear but then Kilkenny were required to dig in. Derek Lyng’s team saw their advantage cut to one when Aidan O’Connor pointed a free and they put the Limerick forwards under severe pressure in the last play of the game, a phase that saw Colin Coughlan line up a point attempt from a tough angle, his shot drifting just wide.
With that Limerick’s last hope of rescuing the match was gone and the Munster champions were left frustrated after a match where they could not quite replicate the free-scoring form of their provincial campaign. They never came close to rattling the net and while O’Connor impressed with a haul of 0-10, Limerick’s attack saw too many second-half attempts tail wide.
The tone for this game was set early on as the teams traded points relentlessly. Limerick forged ahead 0-5 to 0-3 after ten minutes, Patrick O’Donovan knocking over a nice pair of scores.
Kilkenny quickly dragged Limerick back with a couple of points and had edged ahead 0-10 to 0-9 by the interval. From there Kilkenny’s resilience at the back surfaced with captain Pádraic Moylan leading a strong rearguard. The teams were level 0-14 apiece after the third quarter, Kilkenny almost bagging a goal with two snap shots on the ground from Ian Byrne in quick succession, both producing fine stops from goalkeeper Conor Hanley-Clarke.
When the game needed an inspirational figure to settle it, Drennan stood up. The Galmoy sharpshooter had impressed throughout the season and his scoretaking from play shone here as he hit five points in those open exchanges. His trio of scores in the last quarter were invaluable and Kilkenny just about edged it to land the silverware.
Scorers for Kilkenny: Billy Drennan 0-9 (0-3f, 0-1 ’65), Timmy Clifford 0-3, Ian Byrne 0-2, Denis Walsh 0-2, Aidan Tallis 0-1 (0-1f), Paddy Langton 0-1, Andy Hickey 0-1.
Scorers for Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 0-10 (0-7f), Adam English 0-2, Patrick O’Donovan 0-2, Patrick Kirby 0-1, Eddie Stokes 0-1, Colin Coughlan 0-1, Shane O’Brien 0-1.
Kilkenny
1. Aidan Tallis (Lisdowney)
2. Niall Rowe (Dicksboro), 3. Seán Purcell (Windgap), 4. Padraig Lennon (Carrickshock)
5. Joe Fitzpatrick (Dunnamaggin), 6. Pádraic Moylan (Dicksboro), 7. Paddy Langton (Young Irelands)
8. Killian Doyle (Emeralds), 9. Andy Hickey (Dunnamaggin)
10. Timmy Clifford (Dicksboro), 11. Denis Walsh (Dunnamaggin), 12. Peter McDonald (Thomastown)
13. Billy Drennan (Galmoy), 14. Gearóid Dunne (Tullaroan), 15. Harry Shine (Dicksboro)
Subs
22. James Walsh (Kilmacow) for Hickey (43)
18. Eoghan O’Brien (Rower-Inistioge) for Fitzpatrick (49)
20. Jack Doyle (Windgap) for Dunne (57)
Limerick
1. Colin Hanley Clarke (Kilmallock)
2. Chris Thomas (Doon), 3. Fergal O’Connor (Effin), 4. Evan O’Leary (Ahane)
5. Cian Scully (Dromin-Athlacca Banogue), 6. Ethan Hurley (Newcastle West), 7. Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown)
8. Jimmy Quilty (Blackrock – captain), 9. John Kirby (Patrickswell)
10. Adam English (Doon), 11. Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown), 12. Eddie Stokes (Doon)
13. Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), 14. Patrick Kirby (Patrickswell), 15. Patrick O’Donovan (Effin)
Subs
24. Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen) for O’Donovan (50)
22. Patrick Reale (Knockainey) for O’Leary (56)
19. Joe Sweeney (Adare) for Scully (57)
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)
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Can’t really say I am surprised. Thought we might have a proper game 15 minutes in, but Leinster ooze talent, and just strangled our game. I would say Fitzgerald is a lovely footballer on front foot ball, but he takes the ball a bit too deep for my liking, and it ends up with all the players being smashed behind the gameline – against Leinster, that’s kamikaze. I feel if we had played Leinster two weeks ago we would have had a better chance, as they were clearly focused on a bigger prize, whereas this was a wounded Leinster restoring pride. Munster next, and I expect it will again be a bit of a mixed up squad for Connacht versus a first choice Munster squad at home full of Saffa bruisers playing like it’s the Heineken cup final. Not looking forward to it.
@Joe Vlogs: the year Connacht won the league they had a team of guys that were lucky to avoid injury for the most part of that season. That same core of players every game won them the league. They’ve a really small squad and when your missing as many players as they were last night it’s going to be hard for them to compete, but on they’re day they can beat anyone.
Does anybody know what the status is on Tom Farrell’s knee injury?
@Aidan Prior: just regarding our league winning season I think you’re totally off the mark. While we had a few key guys, nobody bar Bealham played every game, and he started the season at loosehead due to an injury to Buckley, and was behind White at tighthead until his injury. We managed rotation as any team does, I wouldn’t think we had a core of players any more or less than we’ve had any other season, we swapped in and out 4 different fly-halves all season, the difference was when we had a few of the non-first team lads out they performed. We had injuries to guys at key points of the season but just got on with it. I think we had some luck, but we had a far superior coaching set up, and attitude within the squad. That’s not to go hard on the current guys it’s just the reality.
@Joe Vlogs: it wasn’t full strength v Ulster and it won’t be against Connacht. You can also rest assured that they won’t be treating a match against Connacht like a Heineken Cup final. As for the South African comment, you sound like you’ve a chip on your shoulder.
@Joe Vlogs: Cloete was the only staffer that started against Ulster but you couldn’t really call him a bruzzer
@Joe Vlogs: Connacht started 8 from Leinster, 3 from Australia, 3 from Connacht and a Munster man. You really think you can have a go at Munster who started just 1 SA and started 11 from Munster?
@Joe Vlogs: cry more
@Aidan Prior: we had an injury crisis the year we won the Pro14, we couldn’t name a full bench in a Challenge Cup game away to Falcons week before Xmas. In New Year Carty got injured in Dubai, and MCGinty got his break.
Fundamental difference is calibre of squad overall, experience/physicality wise, likes of Muldowney, White, McCartney Naoupu. Friend has to cover lack of quality in squad filling with guys who’ve not completed full academy terms, saw it in immaturity of reverse penalty Murray conceded kicking the ball after bad lineout that lead to 2nd try and implosion. Then you’ve got guys like Oliver who didn’t make it at Munster most likely because of lack of game intelligence, all energy but does stupid stuff all the time, real momentum killers.
@Patrick Breen: of course I’m not saying that they played the same team every week but they had a close knit group of about 25 solid players that were there there abouts all season. The had a good attacking backline, a steady OH, and a capable pack. The loss of Muldowney, McGinty and Hendshaw was massive. Then this year the loss of Roux, Farrell, O’Brien and Bundee for the most part has been really felt. I don’t think they’ve been able to once field their best 15.
Connacht lineout used to be an issue and has been resolved but cant say the same for attacking or defending maul. Maul defense is shocking and thought we would have improved since the dragons schooled us in it. All credit to leinster but no excuse for try count of 8-2 and could have been worse.