Sunday the 20th of October 1996 saw one of the greatest days in Young Irelands history, as they won their first Senior County Final after a replay against James Stephens.
Fast forward 28 years to the exact day, and Young Irelands will be hoping to replicate that great triumph with another day to remember in the Club’s history.
There has been such a wonderful build up in Gowran & Dungarvan ahead of Sunday’s County Final, with so much colour and excitement, particularly in Gowran National School as the children prepare to cheer on their heroes.

Next Sunday’s County Final is a repeat of the League Final that Lisdowney won by a solitary point (3-17 to 2-19) a month ago, as they struck late with an injury-time goal and a point to deny Young Irelands.
Barry Power and the management team have done a magnificent job in transforming Young Irelands fortunes since coming on board last year.

A strong 2023 campaign saw them just denied by a late Dunnamaggin goal in the quarter final on one of the worst days ever weather wise to play a match.

However, shortly afterwards Young Irelands won the U-19B Final in Gowran – this weekend last year – and that victory began a whirlwind 12 months for the Club as they won the U-21B in late 2023, while both the Junior A and Junior F titles followed in 2024.

Young Irelands first game in this year’s Intermediate campaign was against Mooncoin, who were down a number of their marquee players from last year. The Gowran men duly delivered a 10 point victory. 4-14 to 1-13. They were up and running!

Further victories followed against Fenians and Blacks & Whites and following a one point defeat against Tullogher-Rosbercon, Young Irelands bounced to winning ways with a last gasp point from Paddy Brennan to secure a hard fought victory against St. Martins.

That victory was massive as Young Irelands topped the group on scoring difference, booking that all important quarter final spot, having finished with 8 points along with Mooncoin and Tullogher-Rosbercon.
The quarter final was a local derby against near neighbours Blacks & Whites. After a closely contested first half, Young Irelands asserted themselves after half time highlighted by goals from Killian (penalty) and Sean Carey.

The Semi Final paired Young Irelands against the 2023 senior relegated Danesfort. A tight tense affair throughout, but Young Irelands displayed a will to win attitude to ensure they would get over the finishing line.

Those two wins against St. Martins and Danesfort proved they have strength of character and resilience in abundance, and they certainly won’t be lacking in that regard on Sunday.

Sean Carey and Ted Drea have been two of the outstanding forwards to date, forming such a telegraphic understanding similar to the Club past greats, DJ and Charlie in their prime.

No doubt Lisdowney will keep a close eye on the duo, and that emphasises the importance of the rest of the attack and midfielders to contribute on the scoreboard.

Lisdowney will go into Sunday’s Final as marginal favourites, having the greater recent experience as Intermediate champions following a penalty shootout over Thomastown in 2020.

The central spine of their team is very strong with Inter-County Senior goalkeeper Aidan Tallis, Niall Brennan, David and Pat O’Carroll along with Brian Kavanagh expected to be to the fore.

Brian Kavanagh scored 1-7(0-2 frees 0-1’65) in their nail-biting Semi-Final win against Mooncoin, while Eibhean McEvoy who came on as a first-half substitute scored the all important goal late on and has surely put himself in the frame to start on Sunday.

6 of the Young Irelands starting 15 from their Semi-Final win against Danesfort are U-21 this year, with many more of the players involved in both the U-19 and U-21 wins in 2023 having played their part throughout out this years campaign.

The future is very bright for Young Irelands regardless of what happens next Sunday, but as Barry Power said post-match to Adrian Ronan on KCLR recently, the future is now and it’s important to make the most of this opportunity particularly with how competitive Intermediate is.

They have an opportunity next Sunday to grasp the moment as they go in search of Intermediate glory 32 years on from the Clubs maiden triumph at this level.

PS: If the match ends in a draw next Sunday after extra-time, a replay will be required on the October Bank Holiday weekend.

Young Irelands Gowran 0-20
Danesfort 0-18

It was a day when Young Irelands Gowran came of age against a highly experienced Danesfort in a titanic battle in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday.
Key components to Young Irelands victory was the strength of character, guts, heart and determination particularly throughout those final 10 minutes when the game was in the melting pot, along with a strong defensive effort in the second-half where they only conceded 0-4 in total was massive as Danesfort’s dominance in midfield was curtailed.

In a free flowing wide open first-half, Danesfort led 0-14 to 0-11 at half-time and they should have been much further ahead as they shot 12 wides in contrast to just three for Young Irelands.
They were totally dominant in midfield during that opening-half with Anthony Ireland Wall and Cathal Kearney scoring 0-3 from play, while Richie Hogan once again operating as a third midfielder was a much more influentiual figure in general play.

The game was played at a fast and furious pace with almost a score a minute, as the teams were level at 0-6 each after just 13 minutes.

The outstanding Ted Drea was on fire with 0-5 from play, and he had already notched 0-3 from play during that opening quarter as Seamus Farrell, Sean Carey and Killian Carey were also on target.

Danesfort’s tally during that opening spell came from Anthony Ireland Wall (2), Richie and Paddy Hogan(both frees), Paddy Hickey and Cathal Kearney.

Further points from Anthony Ireland Wall and Cathal Kearney put Danesfort two points up (0-8 to 0-6) at the midway point of the first-half, and by the 22nd minute pointed frees from Paddy and Richie Hogan(2) stretched their lead. 0-11 to 0-8.

Danesfort maintained their three point lead at the interval (0-14 to 0-11) as the outstanding Des Dunne landed a magnificent long range point, while further points came from Richie Hogan (free) and Cathal Kearney to complete their opening-half tally.

Sean Carey was on target three times (twice from placed balls) throughout that opening-half, as further points came from Seamus Farrell, Ted Drea and Jake Byrne to trail by three points at the interval.
Young Irelands began to dominate possession after half-time, and another point by Ted Drea just 42 seconds into the restart narrowed the deficit, before a brace of frees in quick succession by Sean Carey in the 35th and 36th minutes brought them level. 0-14 each.

As mentioned, central to Young Irelands second-half performance was their strong defensive effort led by the excellent Michael Carey as they only conceded 0-4 in total.

They shot 11 wides in the second-half which was a clear indication of their dominance and possession after half-time, with 6 of those wides coming in the opening 10 minutes of the second-half.

However, they took the lead in the 41st minute with a point from play by Sean Carey, and that was followed 30 seconds later by Padraig Naddy with a superb effort. 0-16 to 0-14.

Danesfort got off the mark for the second-half with a point from play by Paddy Hickey in the 42nd minute, and a brace of points by Richie Hogan put them back in front entering the final quarter. 0-17 to 0-16.

Jim Conlon replied with a magnificent point from play in the 46th minute to level proceedings (0-17 each), before Danesfort replied with a pointed free from Richie Hogan in the 49th minute to regain their lead (0-18 to 0-17). It was their final score of the game.

The outstanding Sean Carey levelled proceedings once again with a point from play in the 52nd minute, before he put the Gowran men in front with another effort from play a minute later. 0-19 to 0-18.

It was a frantic stuff throughout those closing minutes, and Young Irelands still led by a point entering the final minute of injury-time(0-19 to 0-18).

Paddy Hogan stepped up to a long distance free in an attempt to bring Danesfort level, but his effort just went fractionally wide of goal.

It was nail biting and nerve racking, and Young Irelands were just so determined to hang on.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Young Irelands created one final attack as a long delivery upfield by Michael Carey found his brother Sean who was fouled, and Sean duly obliged as he dispatched the sliothar between the uprights to put the Gowran men two points up.

Moments later, the final whistle sounded much to the delight of the Young Irelands contingent as they had qualified for a County Final following a heroic effort.

They displayed a spirit and determination during the second-half that they weren’t going to be denied, and their workrate in ensuring that Danesfort weren’t going to get the space and freedom afforded to them in the first-half was decisive.

Young Irelands started to gain supremacy around the middle third area with Padraig Naddy hugely influential during that second-half, while the introduction of Diarmuid Langton in the final quarter provided a fresh impetus in helping get them over the finishing line.

Kudos also to the two Minors Jim Conlon and Jake Byrne who played their part in scoring a point each, as both players were starting their first knockout game with the Intermediates and in such a pressurised environment.

Young Irelands will now play Lisdowney in a repeat of the League Final on Sunday 20th October, after Lisdowney held out to win by a solitary point against Mooncoin. 2-16 to 1-18.

Young Irelands sole Intermediate County Final triumph was in 1992 against Conahy Shamrocks, and it’s 20 years since the adult first team qualified for a County Final when the seniors reached the decider against James Stephens.

Congratulations to the Young Irelands players and management on a superb victory, and very best wishes to them in their preparations ahead of the County Final in two weeks time.

SCORERS
Young Irelands: Sean Carey 0-9(0-5 frees), Ted Drea 0-5, Seamus Farrell 0-2, Killian Carey, Jake Byrne, Jim Conlon & Padraig Naddy 0-1 each
Danesfort: Richie Hogan 0-7(0-6 frees), Cathal Kearney & Anthony Ireland Wall 0-3 each, Paddy Hogan (frees) & Paddy Hogan 0-2 each, Des Dunne 0-1

Young Irelands – Jason Brennan, Geoff Brennan, Bobbie Brennan, Sean Farrell, Michael Walsh, Michael Carey (Captain), Paddy Langton, Jim Conlon, Padraig Naddy, Jake Byrne, Seamus Farrell , Padraig O’Neill, Sean Carey, Ted Drea, Killian Carey,
Subs: Jack Brennan, Diarmuid Langton, Pat Farrell, Tommy Phelan

Danesfort: Paddy Hogan, Darren Booth, Diarmuid Phelan (Captain), Daire O’Neill, Des Dunne, Paul Murphy, Darragh Coverdale, Cathal Kearney, Anthony Ireland Wall, Brian McDonald, Paddy Hickey, Cathal O’Neill, Richie Hogan, Robbie Walsh, Colm Phelan,
Subs: Eanna Ni Cassaide, Jake Cullen, Padraig Mullan

Referee: Michael O’Sullivan

Young Irelands 2-15(21); Dunnamaggin 0-18

Young Irelands (Gowran) took the JJ Kavanagh County Junior A hurling championship for only the second time in their history, with victory over a gallant Dunnamaggin team at UPMC Nowlan Park on Friday evening last.

Their previous win was also against Dunnamaggin, in 1997, nine points between the sides back then, this time just three.

This was a highly competitive contest, on an evening that gave us sunshine, wind, and a shower of almost biblical proportions midway through the second half. The 2024 Irish summer on display in 60 minutes of hurling!

This final was always going down to the wire, level at the interval, still all square after 47 minutes, but down the home straight, Young Irelands outscored Dunnamaggin by five points to two.

Ultimately the two-opening half Gowran goals were the decisive scores.

The first one was on nine minutes by Killian Carey, scored after a fine teamwork passing movement along the new stand side of the ground (1-1 to 0-3).

The second, just six minutes later, again by Carey, after a first goal bound effort was blocked clear by the Dunnamaggin defence (2-3 to 0-5).

Diarmuid Langton followed this with a further point, but in fairness to the Dunnamaggin outfit, they finished the first half the stronger.

Half time – Young Irelands 2-5(11); Dunnamaggin 0-11.

Dunnamaggin introduced Adam Fitzpatrick for the second half, and he rowed in with three points from play, but his side were generally chasing the game in the second period.

The later points in the game, by Killian Carey (2), Jake Byrne, Diarmuid Langton and Jimmy Lennon, were vital scores, that resulted in victory for Gowran. In the same closing dozen minutes, only Adam Fitzpatrick and JJ Dunphy pointed for Dunnamaggin.

In the closing couple of added time minutes, Dunnamaggin sought an equalising goal, but the Young Irelands defence held firm, to earn a place in the junior championship proper in 2025.

Young Irelands had fine performances from the likes of Emmett Byrne, scorer in chief Killian Carey and Diarmuid Langton.

For the losers Aaron Doherty,  JJ Dunphy, Anthony Kearney, ex All Ireland Senior winner Seaghan O’Neill and Adam Fitzpatrick gave their all.

Young Irelands team & scores :-

Peter Hutchinson, Charlie Fitzgerald, Emmett Byrne, Sean Middleton (Captain), David Langton, Sean Farrell, Jim Conlon, Killian Carey (2-7, 0-6 frees), Jimmy Lennon (0-1),  Paddy Brennan (0-1), Jack Brennan, Gavin Manning, Dylan Carey (0-2), Conor Fitzpatrick, Diarmuid Langton (0-3).

Subs:-

Ben Phelan for Conor Fitzpatrick, Jake Byrne (0-1) for Dylan Carey, Tim Brennan, Cian Phelan, Charlie Brennan, Eoin O’Neill, Luke Phelan, Mikey Keating, David Drennan, Jack Blagriff, Ciaran Kavanagh, David Holland, Kieran Phelan, Michael Lennon.

Dunnamaggin team & scores :-

James Logue, Paddy Delaney, Jack Brett (Captain), Cathal Walsh, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Aaron Doherty, Jimmy O’Neill, Paul Kirwan (0-1), Alex Moore, JJ Dunphy (0-2), Peter Kenneally, Ruaidhri Holden (0-1), Colin Fitzpatrick (0-1), Anthony Kearney (0-3), Seaghan O’Neill (0-7, 0-6 frees).

Subs:-

Adam Fitzpatrick (0-3) for Jack Brett, Ross O’Neill for Seaghan O’Neill, Sean Carroll, Mark Dowling, Colin Herity, Aaron Moore, Sean Lawton, Eoin Sheil, Jason Doherty, Killian Tallon, Cathal Buckley, Michael Costello.

Referee: Gay Rafter (Threecastles)

A highly determined performance from Young Irelands of Gowran saw them rewarded for their progression at underage over the past few years, as they won the U-19 Roinn B County Final in Gowran on Saturday afternoon.

A brace of goals in the first-half in quick succession by Mikey Keating sent them on their way, as they always held a clear advantage on the scoreboard afterwards.
With the horrendous amount of rainfall that preceeded throughout the week, the pitch was just about playable and the match went ahead having been switched from Nowlan Park where it had been scheduled as curtain raiser to The Junior Final.

Young Irelands were quick out of the blocks and they led 0-3 to 0-0 after just three minutes, with Jake Byrne opening the scoring with a long range effort within seconds of the throw-in, while Killian Carey(free) and the tireless working Jim Conlon were also on target during those opening few minutes.

Micheal Keane kept the scoreboard ticking over for St. Martins throughout, and he opened the scoring with a point from a ’65 in the 8th minute. 0-3 to 0-1.

Killian Carey pointed a free from 65 metres in the 10th minute, before a well taken goal by Jamie Morrissey in the 12th minute for St. Martins brought them level. 0-4 to 1-1.

Micheal Keane added another free in the 14th minute to give St. Martins the lead for the only time, as Young Irelands responded quickly and emphatically with Mikey Keating’s golden brace.

First, a long puck out by Tim Brennan found Jim Conlon racing forward with a clear path through on goal.

Jim’s shot was saved by Niall Shore, before Mikey Keating followed up displaying great predatory instincts to dispatch the sliothar to the net (1-4 to 1-2), before applying the finishing touch with a superb strike moments later following an inch perfect diagonal ball into open space. 2-4 to 1-2.

Young Irelands maintained their dominance throughout the second quarter as they outscored St. Martins 0-5 to 0-4 to lead 2-9 to 1-6 at half-time.

The Gowran men added further points from play courtesy of Killian Carey with a superb effort from an acute angle, Mikey Keating, Jim Conlon and Ben Phelan, while Killian concluded the half with a pointed free.

Micheal Keane was on target with 0-5 all from placed balls in the opening-half as St. Martins stayed in touch.

It was two different halves of hurling with 18 scores accruing in an open first-half, while only 9 scores in total were registered in a second-half were scores were difficult to come.

Points from a Micheal Keane free and Sean Hunt from play in the 33rd and 37th minutes respectively narrowed the deficit to just four points (2-9 to 1-8), before Young Irelands steadied themselves with pointed frees in quick succession from placed balls by both Killian Carey and Paddy Langton – a long distance free from 90 yards – in the 44th & 45th minutes respectively as they restored their 6 point half-time lead. 2-11 to 1-8.

Micheal Keane added points from play in the 46th and 53rd minutes, and they were sandwiched in between by another long distance free by Paddy Langton in the 49th minute. 2-12 to 1-10.

Further points down the home stretch were added by Ben Phelan in the 54th minute, before Killian Carey concluded the scoring with a point from play in the 63rd minute.

A feature to Young Irelands throughout the second-half was the resolute determination of their defence.

Paddy Langton was a colossal and dominant figure at centre-back with Jake Byrne exceptional alongside him, while Thomas Langton who is minor again next year in 2024 gave a sterling performance when introduced as a half-time substitute in an unfamiliar position for him at corner-back.

Bobbie Brennan and the hard grafting Diarmuid Langton were key components of the Young Irelands defensive effort throughout that second-half, while Jim Conlon tracked back a lot around midfield doing an awful lot of good work to great effect.

SCORERS
Young Irelands – Mikey Keating 2-1, Killian Carey 0-6(0-4 frees), Jim Conlon, Ben Phelan & Paddy Langton (frees) 0-2 each, Jake Byrne 0-1
St. Martins – Micheal Keane 0-8(0-5 frees 0-1’65), Jamie Morrissey 1-0, Conor Dooley & Sean Hunt 0-1each

TEAMS
Young Irelands: Tim Brennan, Charlie Brennan, Bobbie Brennan, Charlie Fitzgerald (Captain), Jake Byrne, Paddy Langton, David Langton, Luke Phelan, Diarmuid Langton, Ben Phelan, Padraig Naddy, Jim Conlon, Cian Phelan, Killian Carey, Mikey Keating
Subs: Thomas Langton for Charlie Brennan half-time, Kieran Timmins for Luke Phelan 58 minutes

St. Martins: Niall Shore, Ewan Buggy, Ciaran Nolan, Cormac Quirke, Colin Hayes, Cathal Keegan, Matthew Bolger, Aaron Farrell, Micheal Keane, Ross Dowling (Captain), Jamie Morrissey, Conor Dooley, Sean Hunt, Jack Coogan, James O’Neill
Referee: Paul Hunston

Young Irelands produced a very strong & dominant second-Half performance as they emphatically overpowered James Stephens to run out comprehensive winners.
However, at half-time James Stephens appeared to be in control as they led 0-15 to 0-10 following a dominant second quarter.

The teams were level at 0-5 each after about 10 minutes, before the Village men started to dominate as their experience was proving too much for the Young Irelands men to deal with.
The scorers for Young Irelands during the first-half were Killian Carey (0-3 0-2 frees), Paddy Langton (0-2 0-1 free 0-1’65), along with Jimmy Lennon, Jack Brennan, Diarmuid Langton, Ted Drea & Dylan Carey(free).

Both sides exchanged points early in the second-half, before Dylan Carey pointed three frees in succession to narrow the gap to just two points. 0-16 to 0-14.
James Stephens pointed a free to stretch the advantage(0-17 to 0-14), but by the midway point of the second-half Young Irelands had drawn level thanks to points by Diarmuid Langton, Geoff Brennan, Seamus Farrell & Ted Drea. 0-18 each.

The Gowran men turned the screw afterwards as they outscored the Village 1-10 to 0-1 for the remainder of the contest.
Seamus Farrell put the Young Irelands men with a superb long distance point, and they put their foot on the accelarator as they took complete control afterwards.
Further points came from Jimmy Lennon with a superb effort, Dylan Carey (0-4 0-2 frees), Padraig Naddy(0-2), Paddy Langton with a long distance free and Ted Drea.
The final act came courtesy of a goal from a Dylan Carey penalty.
Overall, it was a magnificent team performance by Young Irelands.
Sean Farrell & Paddy Langton played starring roles in the half-back line, the industrious Seamus Farrell gave another towering display in midfield ably assisted by the hard grafting Pat Farrell , while Ted Drea, Diarmuid Langton, Padraig Naddy & Dylan Carey excelled in giving leading performances.
Young Irelands will play either Thomastown or Dicksboro in the Final.

YOUNG IRELANDS TEAM: Jason Brennan, Philip O’Donnell, Emmet Byrne, Sean Middleton, Patrick Brennan, Sean Farrell, Paddy Langton 0-4(0-3 frees 0-1’65), Seamus Farrell (0-2), Geoff Brennan(0-1), Jack Brennan(0-1), Ben Phelan, Jimmy Lennon(0-2) , Ted Drea(0-3) , Killian Carey(0-3 0-2 frees)
SUBS: Diarmuid Langton (0-2), Gavin Manning, Dylan Carey 1-8(1-0 penalty 0-5 frees), Padraig Naddy (0-2), Charlie Fitzgerald

MINORS UNBEATEN RUN ENDS WITH HEAVY DEFEAT
Following a run of 7 straight victories, Young Irelands Minors unbeaten run ended emphatically with a heavy defeat against James Stephens.
The writing was on the wall after only 5 minutes as James Stephens had already scored two goals.
The Village boys extended their dominance afterwards and at half-time they led 3-13 to 0-3.
They maintained that control throughout that second-half as they added a fourth goal to run out 4-19 to 0-7 winners.
Young Irelands will be looking to bounce back away to St. Martins in Coon on Monday Night.

Disappointment for both Young Irelands U-15 Teams who suffered heavy defeats.
The U-15 A Team lost 5-26 to 1-7 against John Lockes, while The U-15 13-a-side Team lost 3-14 to 2-4 against St. Martins.

EUROPEAN GOLD FOR YOUNG IRELANDS JUVENILES
Huge Congratulations to Young Irelands Juvenile Hurlers James, Eoin and Timmy Brennan who were part of the Ireland Junior Team that won Gold at the European Showjumping Championships in Gorla Minore in Italy over the weekend.
The Ireland Team were managed by showjumping great James Kernan and they became European Champions out of 23 teams competing.
Congratulations on such a wonderful achievement.

JUNIORS LOSE OUT TO ST. PATRICKS
JJ KAVANAGH & SONS JUNIOR A HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1
Young Irelands Gowran 1-14
St. Patricks Ballyragget 3-11
In wet and blustery conditions that felt most like Winter rather than mid-July, the Young Irelands Juniors lost out to St. Patricks Ballyragget in the opening round of the Junior A Championship on a disappointing night in Gowran on Saturday night.
Playing against a very strong wind during the opening half, Young Irelands got off to an excellent start with a Ben Phelan goal in the third minute.
The Ballyragget men replied with a point, before points from a long distance free by Paddy Langton and a closer range free by Ben Phelan put them four points ahead. 1-2 to 0-1.
St. Patricks replied again with a goal to bring them level by the midway point of the first-half(1-2 each), and it was score for score for the remainder as Young Irelands led 1-6 to 1-5 at half-time as Ben Phelan added four further points(0-3 frees) to give them the advantage by the minimum at the interval.
The highlight of that first-half was an amazing save by Jason Brennan who dived full stretch to deny St. Patricks a certain goal.
It was one of the saves of the year.
With the strong wind behind them for the second-half, Young Irelands were in a very strong position but unfortunately it didn’t work out that away.
They were struggling to make an impact as the game got very scrappy. Instead, it was the Ballyragget men who were starting to dominate and they scored 1-2 without reply to put them four points ahead by the 40th minute. 2-7 to 1-6.
However, Young Irelands replied with two points from their half-back line courtesy of a Paddy Langton free and Bobbie Brennan from play from long distance to halve the deficit(2-7 to 1-8), before Daniel Manning with a point from play left just the mimimum between the teams (2-7 to 1-9) as the final quarter beckoned.
St. Patricks replied with a brace of points to stretch the lead to three points(2-9 to 1-9), before Young Irelands came back again with points from a Ben Phelan free and Gavin Manning with a superb effort. 2-9 to 1-11.
With about 10 minutes remaining St. Patricks got their third goal that proved significant(3-9 to 1-11), and despite Young Irelands battling to the end with points from two Ben Phelan frees and long distance effort by Paddy Langton, the Ballyragget men held on for a deserved triumph.
In truth, they were far greater value for their victory than the final margin suggested.
They shot 10 wides and would have won by a greater margin only for the brilliance of Jason Brennan who denied the opposition three certain goals.
Paddy Langton gave another top class performance at Centre-Back, while Bobbie Brennan and Ben Phelan stood out.
However, too many of Young Irelands players didn’t perform to their capability considering the good form they showed during the league.
YOUNG IRELANDS:
Jason Brennan, Michael Lennon, Sean Middleton, Martin Carter, Bobby Brennan (0-1), Paddy Langton (0-3 frees), Charlie Fitzgerald, Diarmuid Langton, Jimmy Lennon, Patrick Brennan, Gavin Manning(0-1), Ben Phelan (1-8 0-7 frees), Daniel Manning(0-1), Conor Fitzpatrick, Peter Hutchinson,
Referee: Paul Hunston

JUNIORS F TEAM LOSE OUT IN EXTRA-TIME FOLLOWING BRAVE EFFORT
JJ KAVANAGH & SONS JUNIOR F HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1
Young Irelands Gowran 1-20
Mullinavat 2-20
After Extra-Time
An absorbing contest in Gowran on Sunday evening saw the Young Irelands Junior F Team endure heartbreak after extra-time as they lost to Mullinavat in the first round of the Junior F Championship.
Having trailed by 6 points after about 40 minutes, Young Irelands fought back and a wonder goal from goalkeeper turned forward Davy Carter in stoppage time appeared to have given them victory, but a last gasp long distance Mullinavat free forced extra-time in which they emerged victorious.
The Gowran men made a bright start, and they led 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes with points from Jack Blagriff, Paul Kinsella & Davy Holland.
Mullinavat replied with a goal(1-1 to 0-3) and after Blagriff pointed a ’65 to level matters, Mullinavat replied again with a brace of points to lead by two points at midway point of first-half. 1-3 to 0-4.
Both teams exchanged points twice to remain level as superb efforts from a Jack Blagriff free and Ciaran Byrne near the sideline added to Young Irelands account, before Mullinavat finished the half with three consecutive points to lead 1-7 to 0-7 at half-time.
The South Kilkenny men added three further points to stretch their lead further (1-10 to 0-7), before Young Irelands responded with three consecutive points from Rob Dunne, Blagriff (0-2 free and ’65) to halve the deficit (1-10 to 0-10).
Mullinavat appeared to have taken control as they responded with a second goal to go 6 points clear (2-10 to 0-10), but huge credit to Young Irelands who fought gallantly in an attempt to retrieve the situation.
Five consecutive points narrowed the advantage to just a solitary point with a few minutes remaining as Jack Blagriff (0-3 0-2 frees), Thomas Drennan & Thomas Carroll all found the range to put Mullinavat on the ropes. 2-11 to 0-16.
Mullinavat steadied the ship with a brace of points sandwiched in between another point from Thomas Drennan to lead by two points(2-13 to 0-17) as the match had entered stoppage.
However, Davy Carter came up with a moment of magic that appeared to have given them victory, but almost immediately Mullinavat levelled from a long distance free and the match went into extra-time. 2-14 to 1-17
Both sides scored two 0-2 each in the first period of extra-time as the match remained deadlocked(2-16 to 1-19), with Jack Blagriff pointing another free while Thomas Carroll also found the range.
Davy Holland – who was reintroduced as a substitute in extra-time – struck over a brilliant individual point following a scintillating solo run to level matters after Mullinavat had gone ahead again, but the South Kilkenny men had the final say with three unanswered points as they closed out the game.
It was a trojan effort by Young Irelands who fought manfully particularly when 6 points behind midway through the second-half.
They played with ferocious spirit & determination that was epitomized particularly by Bailey Byrne who was superb at corner-back.
Jack Glendon gave another solid outing at full-back, Jack Kennedy Byrne worked trojanly in midfield, while Player-Manager Thomas Drennan and Jack Blagriff with his prolific accuracy from frees led the way in attack.
YOUNG IRELANDS: Davy Carter(1-0), CJ Delaney Tobin, Jack Glendon, Bailey Byrne, Dylan Doyle, Jonathan Dunphy. Kevin Quinlan, Jack Kennedy Byrne, Paul Kinsella (0-1), Thomas Drennan (0-3), Thomas Carroll(0-2), Jack Blagriff (0-10 0-7 frees 0-1’65), Rob Dunne, Kieran Byrne(0-1), Davy Holland (0-2)
Referee: Brandon Power

SIX OF THE BEST FOR JUVENILES
Both the Young Irelands U-13 & Minor B teams recorded emphatic victories as they scored 6 goals in their respective matches over the weekend.
The U-13s had a 6-10 to 1-6 win away to James Stephens, while the Minor B Team had a 6-15 to 2-5 win away to Mullinavat.

GOLF CLASSIC AT GOWRAN PARK
On Tues 18th July a Golf Classic will be held at Gowran Park to help raise funds for The Kilkenny competing in next Sunday’s All-Ireland Final.
Team of 3 will cost €150. There will be a number of prizes on the day. Tee times from Carmel Kenny on 087-6680084 or the Supporters Club or any officer of the County Board.