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

DISAPPOINTMENT AS LATE KILKENNY RALLY COMES UP SHORT
There was disappointment for Steffi & Tiffanie Fitzgerald along with Ciara O’Keeffe & Pat O@Neill as Kilkenny’s late rally saw them come up a point short against Cork on Sunday in the All-
Ireland Quarter-Final. Kilkenny were 5 points behind with only a few minutes remaining, but a late Denise Gaule goal gave them hope. However it wasn’t to be and their All-Ireland hopes ended earlier
than usual.

INTERMEDIATES OVERPOWER BENNETTSBRIDGE WITH DOMINANT SECOND-HALF PERFORMANCE
Young Irelands Gowran 1-20
Bennettsbridge 2-12

The Young Irelands Intermediates produce a storming second-half performance to overturn a 6 point deficit late in the first-half and run out 5 point winners against their neighbours Bennettsbridge in
Gowran on Friday night. In a tough uncompromising and at times scrappy first-half, Bennettsbridge led 2-6 to 0-8 at half-time having led 2-6 to 0-6, before the Young Irelands men finished the half with points late on by Killian Carey & Jimmy Lennon. Killian added a point to narrow the gap at the start of the second- half (2-6 to 0-9), but the Bridge men replied with three unanswered points to restore their 6 point lead. 2-9 to 0-9. However, Young Irelands began to turn the screw & a well taken goal by Ted Drea following an inch perfect delivery by the excellent Seamus Farrell narrowed the gap to just three points. 2-9
to 1-9.

Bennettsbridge added a point to stretch out the lead(2-10 to 1-9), before the Gowran men responded emphatically with five unanswered points and five different scorers to take the lead (1-14 to 2-10) as the match had entered the final quarter. Tommy Phelan(Free), Jimmy Lennon, Geoff Brennan, Killian Carey & Jack Brennan all found the target as Young Irelands began to dominate. Young Irelands continued to accelerate & they outscored Bennettsbridge 0-5 to 0-1 in the final 10 minutes as they closed in on victory. 1-19 to 2-11

Tommy Phelan added three further points including a free and a & 65 as Young Irelands kept adding to their account as the outstanding Ted Drea added another point from play, while Patrick Brennan operating at wing-back scored a superb inspirational long range from play which was thoroughly deserved for his efforts. Ted Drea added another point to conclude the scoring as he led the way in a magnificent second-half team display.

Ted was the focal point of the attack at full-forward, and he caused constant havoc as he scored 1-3 from play and also playing a part in other scores. His corner-forward compatriots Jimmy Lennon & Killian Carey showed up well as both contributed handsomely with three points from play, while the half-forward line of Geoff Brennan, Jack Brennan Tommy Phelan worked hard also supplying accurate and intelligent ball to their inside forwards. Defensively, they were very strong also with Sean Middleton in particular magnificent throughout at corner-back, while Seamus Farrell in midfield worked relentlessly and was consistent all through as he grafted tenaciously in his defense work, while providing the launch for a number of attacks including the goal that Ted Drea scored.

Meanwhile, the Young Irelands U-19s made an emphatic start to the defense of their U-19 League campaign as they easily dismantled Lisdowney 4-23 to a 1-8 in Gowran on Thursday night on a rotten night for Hurling. Young Irelands will now play Ballyhale Shamrocks in Ballyhale on Thursday Night.

YOUNG IRELANDS: Jason Brennan, Philip O’Donnell, Emmet Byrne, Sean Middleton, Patrick Brennan(0-1), Sean Farrell, Paddy Langton, Seamus Farrell, Luke Farrell, Geoff Brennan(0-1), Jack Brennan(0-2), Tommy Phelan(0-7 0-4 Frees 0-1’65), Jimmy Lennon(0-3) , Ted Drea(1-3) , Killian Carey(0-3) Subs: Gavin Manning, Conor Fitzpatrick

JUNIOR HURLING
Both Young Irelands Junior Teams are scheduled to be in Championship action next weekend in Gowran The Junior A Team are at home to St. Patricks Ballyragget on Saturday Night at 7pm, while at the same time on Sunday Night, the Junior F team are at home to Mullinavat.

UNDERAGE HURLING
Young Irelands Minors made it 7 from 7 in their first game back since the exam break as they easily defeated O’Loughlin Gaels on Monday night. They were in action again on Monday night at home to James
Stephens. There was defeat for both the Young Irelands U-15 & U-13 teams this week.

The U-15 Team gave a much improved display before losing out to Dicksboro 2-23 to 3-15, while the U-13 Team lost out 2-16 to 0- 11 away to Danesfort on Friday night.

INTERMEDIATE HURLING
Young Irelands Gowran host Bennettsbridge in their penultimate League match in Gowran on Friday night from 7.30pm.
Both teams need a win to keep their League prospects alive.

U-19 HURLING
Young Irelands Gowran host Lisdowney in their first game of the U-19 League in Gowran on Thursday night 7.30pm.
Young Irelands won the League competition last year.

U-15 HURLING
Young Irelands U-15s lost 11-9 to 5-12 to James Stephens last week in their first game since the exam break.
The Gowran boys are due in action again on Wednesday night away to Dicksboro 7pm.

U-13 HURLING
Young Irelands U-13s received a walkover off Piltown last Friday night, while the Young Irelands U-13 13-a-side team played out a 0-12 to 3-3 draw against Rower-Inistioge on Saturday morning.

YOUNG IRELANDS CAMOGIE
The Young Irelands U-14 A Camogie team won their opening game of the championship as they defeated Carrickshock in Hugginstown 2-12 to 2-10 in a thriller.
However, the Young Irelands U-14 B team lost 5-4 to 2-3 against Mooncoin.
The Young Irelands minor camogie team host Danesfort on Wednesday night at 7.30pm.

DUNNAMAGGIN’S LATE GOALS FLATTEN AND FLOOR GOWRAN
Junior A League Semi-Final
Dunnamaggin 2-14
Young Irelands Gowran 0-14
A brace of late goals by Dunnamaggin ended Young Irelands hopes in the Junior A League semi-final in Gowran on Friday night.
With the sides level entering injury-time, the prospect of extra-time appeared increasingly likely, but a Dunnamaggin goal from a penalty followed by their second goal moments later finished the contest to put a most flattering look on the full-time score. With both teams very wasteful throughout shooting several wides – particularly in the opening-half – Dunnamaggin led 0-9 to 0-6 at
half-time. Young Irelands first-half total was made up of Dylan Carey 0-3 (0- 2 frees), Paddy Langton (0-1 free), Patrick Brennan & Gavin Manning 0-1 each Dunnamaggin stretched their to lead 4 points early in the Second- Half(0-11 to 0-7), but the Gowran men had a dominant spell with four unanswered points between The 40th and 47th minutes. Paddy Langton was giving a towering display at centre-back, and he was playing his 4th match in 7 days for Young Irelands along with about a half a dozen of his teammates. Last years U-20 All-Ireland winner scored a brace of points in quick succession from a free & a & 65 to halve the deficit(0-11 to 0- 9), before further points from a Dylan Carey free & Jimmy Lennon brought them on level terms as Young Irelands had begun to dominate. 0-11 each. Both sides exchanged three points each with Paddy Langton, Patrick Brennan & Sean Kehoe – all from play – adding to their account. However, Dunnamaggin had the final say as their late late show on a day of drama finished off proceedings.
YOUNG IRELANDS SCORERS – Dylan Carey 0-5(0-4 frees), Paddy Langton 0-4(0-2 frees 0-1 65), Patrick Brennan 0-2, Jimmy Lennon, Sean Kehoe & Gavin Manning 0-1 each

SENIOR GIRLS EASE TO VICTORY IN CAPITAL
Steffi & Tiffanie Fitzgerald were part of the starting 15, as All- Ireland Champions Kilkenny produced their best performance of the year so far as they eased to a 3-14 to 0-11 win away to Dublin in Parnell Park on Saturday. Ciara O Keeffe was among the Kilkenny subs, while Pat O’Neill is part of the management team. Kilkenny should endure a much a stiffer test of their credentials as they host Tipperary in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday evening at 6pm.

YOUNG IRELANDS U-14 CAMOGIE
Following the success of both Young Irelands U-14 camogie teams in League Finals recently, attention now turns to the Championship where they will be attempting to pursuit further glory.
The Young Irelands firsts are in action away to Carrickshock in the Roinn A Championship in Hugginstown on Wednesday night at 7.45pm, while on Thursday night the Young Irelands Whites are at home to Mooncoin in Gowran at 6.30pm.

MINOR HURLING
Young Irelands Minor hurlers will resume their League campaign following the exam break, as they will attempt to continue and consolidate their 100% winning record away to O’Loughlin Gaels in Johns Park on Monday Night at 7pm.

U-15 HURLING
Young Irelands U-15 Hurlers also resume their League campaign following the exam break, and on Wednesday night they will host Graigue-Ballycallan in the Roinn A League in Gowran at 7pm.
The two clubs will be familar with one another having played in the U-13 County Final in 2021, as the Gowran boys won on that occasion with a most impressive performance to complete the League/Championship double.

U-13 HURLING
The Young Irelands U-13 endured contrasting fortunes over the weekend.
The Young Irelands U-13 A team were very impressive in winning 6-13 to 4-9 away to Ballyhale Shamrocks, while the Young Irelands U-13 13-a-side Team lost 2-9 to 2-3 against James Stephens.
Both teams are back in action this weekend. the Young Irelands U-13 A team are at home to Piltown on Friday night, while the Young Irelands U-13 13-a-side team host Rower-Inistioge on Saturday morning at 10.30am.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS HURLING FINAL
Gowran Primary School lost 3-7 to 2-5 against Scoil McCauley Ris of Callan in the Primary Schools Roinn A Final in Nowlan Park last Wednesday Night.
The Gowran boys gave a very good account of themselves on the night, and it was a closer game than when the two schools played one another in The Country Cup Final – Scoil McCauley Ris won
5-7 to 2-7 – That completes the Schools Competitions for the year, and it was a superb year for the Gowran boys who won the Country Cup /Championship Football Double while also getting to two Hurling Final.
Congratulations to the boys on a magnificent year, and very best wishes to those who are beginning secondary education in September.

JUNIORS BATTLE HARD TO FINISH GROUP CAMPAIGN ON A HIGH
The Young Irelands Junior A Hurling team finished their League campaign on a high as they won 0-18 to 0-14 against Graigue-Ballycallan.
It wasn’t pretty & certainly not the most prettiest of performances, but Young Irelands showed an appetite for hard work as they ended up as group winners following the conclusion of League matches.
The Gowran men led 0-8 to 0-6 at half-time with Paddy Langton leading the way as he gave an exhibition at centre-back.
Paddy scored a superb long range point from play in the 17th minute, while Dylan Carey (frees), Patrick Brennan & Jimmy Lennon were among those also on target during the first-half.
Young Irelands started the second-half with three unanswered points – that included a great effort from Kevin Quinlan – as they led 0-11 to 0-6 in the 35th minute.
The Gowran men continued to lead by 5 points at the midway point of the second-half (0-14 to 0-9) as Dylan Carey added a brace of frees, while Paddy Langton fired over a long distance free.
Graigue-Ballycallan enjoyed a purple patch, and by the 53rd minute they had narrowed the deficit(0-15 to 0-13), but the Gowran men dug deep to finish strongly, and points from the hard-working Patrick Brennan, another long distance free by Paddy Langton, and a close range free by Dylan Carey saw victory secured.
Elsewhere, the Young Irelands Intermediates lost 2-15 to 1-11 against Rower-Inistioge on Friday night played in deplorable weather conditions following a band of heavy rain, while the Junior F team concluded their League campaign last week with a loss away to Windgap.

YOUNG IRELANDS GOLF CLASSIC
A final reminder of the annual Young Irelands GAA Golf Classic that will take place in Gowran Park this coming Friday 23rd & Saturday June 24th with €3000 in Prize Money on offer.
Tee times available on Friday and from 2pm on Saturday, while a Team of 4 costs €200.
Players without a GUI Handicap will be given one on the day, and their prizes for Longest Prize, Nearest The Pin and Money Hole.
For further information on Tee Times, contact Liam Walsh on 087 2647248.

BRENNAN BOYS DELIVER SHOWJUMPING NATIONS CUP GLORY
Their was major success for the Brennans from Gowran, Eoin, Timmy & James as they won the Gold Medal representing Ireland at the FEI Youth Nations Cup in Hagen, Germany.
Both Timmy & James who are cousins play hurling with Young Irelands, while Eoin is a brother of Timmy.
They will now go forward to the European Championship from 10th-16th July in Italy.
Huge Congratulations to them on a wonderful win and very best wishes to them in The Europeans in July.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS FINALS
Best Wishes to Gowran Primary School Boys who play Scoil McCauley Ris Callan in the Roinn A Final on Wednesday Night in Nowlan Park.
The two Schools met in the Country Cup Final last week as the Callan School won 5-7 to 2-7.

U-13 HURLING
The U-13s won 4-7 to 1-4 against St. Martins last Friday night

GOWRAN GIRLS START AS WEXFORD FIGHTBACK TO DRAW
Both Steffi & Tiffanie Fitzgerald started for the All-Ireland Senior Champions Kilkenny in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday as Wexford fought back to gain a surprise draw, 1-17 to 3-11 with Ciara O’Connor superbly striking over a last gasp sideline effort (worth 2 points) to deny Kilkenny victory.

U-13 HURLING
Their were mixed fortunes for the Young Irelands U-13 Teams in action over the weekend.
The U-13 A team won 6-9 to 4-12 against Naas in a compelling contest, but the Young Irelands 13-a-side Team lost 3-3 to 1-5 against Barrow Rangers.

JUNIOR & INTERMEDIATE HURLING
The Young Irelands Intermediates & Junior A Teams are scheduled to be in action this week.
Check out www.kilkennygaa.ie for up to date details and any changes that might happen.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS HURLING
The Gowran Primary School boys played The Country Cup Final in Nowlan Park on Monday Night against McCauley Rice National School. Despite a battling performance they were defeated on a scoreline of 5 – 7 to 2 – 7.
The Gowran Boys will meet the same opponents again in the Roinn A Schools Final on Wed next June 21st. We wish them the best of luck.

JUNIOR Fs PLAY THRILLING DRAW WITH MOONOIN
The Young Irelands Junior F team played a thrilling draw(6-6 to 2-18) against Mooncoin in an absorbing contest in Gowran on Sunday evening, that was beyond the dreary & dull weather that occured.
Mooncoin dominated the early exchanges & they led 0-3 to 0-0 after 8 minutes, before Ciaran Kavanagh set-up Paddy Quinlan for a well taken goal. 0-3 to 1-0.
Points were exchanged as Davy Holland pointed with a superb individual effort from an acute angle(0-4 to 1-0), before the Gowran men took the lead with two goals from Tommy Carroll & Davy Holland in the 15th & 19th minutes respectively. 3-1 to 0-6.
The Suirsiders fought back & coming towards half-time they led 1-19 to 3-2, but Young Irelands replied right on the stroke of half-time as a Davy Holland free that appeared to be dropping short ended up in the net to regain the lead. 4-2 to 1-10.
Paddy Quinlan grabbed his second goal early in the second-half to put Young Irelands 5-2 to 1-10 ahead, but again Mooncoin responded & by the 48th minute they had narrowed the gap to a point. 5-3 to 1-14.
Thomas Carroll with a superb long distance point from play to steady the ship (5-4 to 1-14), but Mooncoin fought back with three points in quick succession to go back in front. 1-17 to 5-4.
Davy Holland pointed a free to level matters (1-17 to 5-5), before Paddy Quinlan scored a brilliant goal to complete his hat-trick of goals. 6-5 to 1-17.
Paddy added a point shortly afterwards to extend the advantage to 4 points as Young Irelands appeared to be closing in on victory, but Mooncoin grabbed a late goal from a free to narrow the deficit. 6-6 to 2-17.
The Gowran men had chances on three occassions that would have been the winning point, but failed to convert any of them & Mooncoin had the final say as they drew the game with a pointed free.

INTER-COUNTY HURLING
Very best wishes to the Young Irelands contingent involved with Inter-County teams this week.
To Paddy Langton & Tommy Phelan(U-20s) who are in action against Wexford in the Leinster Semi-Final at 6.45pm in UPMC Nowlan Park on Wednesday, while Cian Phelan is part of the Kilkenny panel that will go in search of Leinster glory on Friday night against Galway in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise with a 7.30pm.
Coverage of the Leinster Minor Final on Friday Night is live on TG4.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL
Disappointment for Young Irelands who lost 3-7 to 1-6 against Galmoy in the Junior Championship Quarter-Final last Friday night.

The Young Irelands Junior A hurlers got their season off to a superb start following a 25-point annihilation of Carrickshock on Sunday, as the Carey brothers Dylan & Killian led the way with a combined total of 4-12.
Dylan scored 3-7(0-4 frees), while Killian’s 1-5 included three long distance frees.
The opening quarter was even with Carrickshock leading 1-4 to 1-3 as Dylan scored the first of his goals early on, but once Killian pounced for Young Irelands second goal in the 20th minute they took control afterwards, and they led 2-10 to 1-7 at half-time with Gavin Manning, Jimmy Lennon & Diarmuid Langton also on target.
The trio in particular were central to Young Irelands resounding victory.
Diarmuid – a minor last year – was exceptionally dominant in midfield as his driving runs caused Carrickshock endless amount of problems, with Jimmy Lennon’s grafting providing the perfect back-up.
Gavin Manning operating at centre-forward scored 0-3 from play, while his general play all round was superb as he often dropped back to play the quarter-back role to perfection. He was the perfect playmaker.
Daniel Manning grabbed himself a brace of goals early in the second-half as Young Irelands put the match beyond Carrickshock’s reach. 4-10 to 1-8.
Another of last years minors Ben Phelan came to the fore during the second-half as he scored 1-3, with the goal coming in the 41st minute.
Young Irelands 6th goal in the 50th minute was a spectacular effort from distance by Dylan Carey, before Dylan completed his hat-trick of goals & Young Irelands 7th overall in injury-time.
Davy Holland also got his name on the scoresheet after coming on as a substitute.
The most perfect start for The Young Irelands Junior A team & the perfect second-half performance which was the equivalent of a high snooker break at the ongoing World Snooker Championships in The Crucible.
Young Irelands didn’t shoot a single wide – 8 wides in 1st half – in the second-half & they scored 5-12 with almost every shot on goal ending in a score.
Meanwhile, the Young Irelands Junior F team bounced back from the disappointment of losing to Mullinavat with a convincing 4-15 to 0-9 win in Carrigeen last Friday night.

YOUNG IRELANDS SCORERS V CARRICKSHOCK: Dylan Carey 3-7 (0-4 frees), Killian Carey 1-5 (0-3 frees), Ben Phelan 1-3, Daniel Manning 2-0, Gavin Manning 0-3, Jimmy Lennon 0-2, Diarmuid Langton & Davy Holland 0-1 each

YOUNG IRELANDS JUNIOR A TEAM: Peter Hutchinson, Michael Lennon, Emmet Byrne(Captain), Eoin O Neill, Charlie Fitzgerald, Sean Middleton, Martin Carter, Jimmy Lennon, Diarmuid Langton, Patrick Brennan, Gavin Manning, Ben Phelan , Daniel Manning, Dylan Carey, Killian Carey,

PADDY PLAYS PART AS U-20S WIN AGAIN
Paddy Langton played a solid match & scored an important point during the third quarter as Kilkenny held off a late revival from Dublin to win 1-21 to 2-16 in a thriller in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Cian Phelan was introduced as a late sub as Kilkenny minor team won 2-15 to 0-14 against Offaly to qualify for a Leinster Semi-Final next weekend.

DISAPPOINTMENT AS CAMOGIE MINORS LOSE ALL-IRELAND SEMI-FINAL
Disappointment for Julie Lennon & Aisling Fitzpatrick who were part of the Kilkenny Minor Camogie panel as they lost 2-8 to 1-7 against Waterford in the All-Ireland Semi-Final in Nenagh on Sunday.
Julie was part of the starting 15 and she was one of Kilkenny’s better performers scoring 0-2 from play.

U-15 HURLING
The Young Irelands U-15 Roinn Hurling Team had their first defeat of the League as they lost out in a high scoring thriller(4-18 to 2-18) to Erins Own of Castlecomer in Gowran last week.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS HURLING
The Gowran Primary School Hurling team had a 3-5 to 1-3 win away to Gaelscoil Osrai in the latest round of matches in the Roinn A League.