Kilkenny SHL- Dicksboro bounce back to assure senior safety

Dicksboro guaranteed themselves safety, as they finished strongly to defeat Thomastown in Gowran on Saturday afternoon in the final round of group games. Inspired by the dominance of Cillian Buckley at centre-back throughout that opening-half, the Boro led 0-14 to 0-7 at the interval having led 0-8 to 0-3 at the midway point of the first half. Shane Stapleton was on top form throughout the opening half as he scored 0-6 (0-4 frees), while the tireless working Liam Moore who was excellent throughout scored two points during the first half.

The rest of their first half total came from play via Timmy Clifford who opened the scoring after two minutes, Harry Shine and Cillian Buckley at roughly the midway point of the point, while they finished the half strongly with consecutive points from Kevin Moore and two mighty efforts by Matthew Kelleher. Thomastown’s first half total came courtesy of Robbie Donnelly 0-4(0-3 frees), Thomas O’Hanrahan, John Donnelly and Luke Connellan. Dicksboro’s dominance continued into the early stages of the second half as points from Cillian Hackett, a long distance free by Harry Shine and Timmy Clifford extended their advantage further.



0-17 to 0-8. It appeared that Michael Walsh’s charges were cruising to victory, but Thomastown began to take over and dominate with team captain Peter McDonald leading the way in reducing the arrears. Points from John Donnelly (2) in quick succession led the comeback, before a superb effort by Peter McDonald in the 42nd minute narrowed the gap to six points.

0-17 to 0-11. Dicksboro replied with points from Kevin Moore and a Harry Shine free sandwiched in between a Robbie Donnelly free to steady the ship(0-19 to 0-12), but a well taken goal by Luke Connellan in the 48th minute brought a new lease of life into the contest as just four points seperated the teams. 0-19 to 1-12.

Inspired by that goal, Thomastown added a hat-trick of consecutive points between the 50th and 53rd minute from a Robbie Donnelly 65, Peter McDonald and substitute Colm Treacy who impressed when introduced. Suddenly, just the minimum seperated the teams (0-19 to 1-15) and seconds prior to Colm Treacy’s point, Thomastown goalkeeper Diarmuid Galway pulled off a wonder save to deny Liam Moore a certain goal. Credit to Dicksboro who dug deep to finish strongly, with five unanswered points from substitute Timmy Clifford, Kevin Moore, Liam Moore and two Harry Shine frees as they secured victory.

The work rate of Kevin Moore and Liam Moore was central to their victory with both players providing a tremendous amount of grafting, and Dicksboro now look forward to a first roun knockout Championship game against Graigue-Ballycallan next weekend. Thomastown still qualified for a Championship Quarter-Final despite losing their final two group games as they finished second ahead of neighbours Bennettsbridge in the head to head, and despite those two losses they can look back on a very satisfactory campaign in their first year back in the senior ranks. Teams and Scorers Dicksboro - Shane Stapleton 0-6(0-4 frees), Harry Shine 0-5(0-4 frees), Kevin Moore and Liam Moore 0-3 each, Matthew Kelleher and Timmy Clifford 0-2 each, Cillian Buckley, Cillian Hackett and Mark Nolan 0-1 each.

Thomastown - Robbie Donnelly 0-7 (0-5 frees 0-1 65), Luke Connellan 1-1, John Donnelly 0-3, Peter McDonald 0-2, Thomas O’Hanrahan and Colm Treacy 0-1 each. Dicksboro: Darragh Holohan, Niall Rowe, Padraic Moylan, Evan Cody, Eoin Fennelly, Cillian Buckley, Ollie Walsh, Kevin Moore, Joe Sheehan, Timmy Clifford, Shane Stapleton, Liam Moore, Harry Shine, Matthew Kelleher, Cillian Hackett. Subs: Mark Nolan, Aran Murphy.

Thomastown: Diarmuid Galway, Peter Connellan, Ned Kirwan; Jay Burke, Brian Staunton, Eddie Donnelly, Zach Bay Hammond; Peter McDonald, Jonjo Farrell; Robbie Donnelly, Luke Connellan, John Donnelly; Thomas O’Hanrahan, Jack Holden, Alex Cass. Subs: Colm Treacy, Naoise Dempsey. Referee: Sean Cleere (O’Loughlin Gaels).