KILKENNY COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Gowran Park enjoyed a most wonderful day on Sunday as the Kilkenny Country Music Festival took place on a most glorious Summers day. It was anything but Summer weather to start off the day on
Sunday morning, as the most horrendous thunder & lightning occurred that threatened to put a dampener on the day. However, that was all quickly forgotten as the crowds started to gather from late morning/early afternoon. The afternoon’s entertainment began with local musicians Paul Brett & Young Irelands goalkeeper Peter Hutchinson taking to centre stage. Colin Kenny was up next before the main acts began to take centre stage with The Conquerors once returning as backing band for this annual Young Irelands fundraiser. Claudia Buckley – the daughter of Jimmy Buckley – performed before the ever popular Trudi Lalor once returned again this year. Brendan Shine made his debut appearance at the Kilkenny Country Music Festival, before Jimmy Buckley took to stage again this year. The Limerick native was followed by Olivia Douglas who made her maiden debut in Gowran Park, with Mike Denver once again the main headline act Mike had the crowd rocking on the dance floor for two hours as another superb Festival drew to a close after a most wonderful day. Roll on 2024
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.
