Golden avenge West Final defeat to Eire Og

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 4

Golden Kilfeacle 3-25

Eire Og Annacarty-D 1-25

Report: Michael Dundon

at St Michael’s Park, Holycross

Andy Byrnes turned in a man of the match performance for Golden Kilfeacle with a hat-trick of goals as they got the better of West rivals Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill in round three of the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship on Sunday.

All Byrnes’ goals came in the second half as Golden made amends for a defeat at the hands of Eire Og in the West final some weeks back.

Despite the loss, the divisional winners have the consolation of a preliminary county quarter final, and avoided being caught up in the relegation play-offs due to a better scoring difference than Ballina with whom they drew with.

This was a lively contest between two well matched sides but a strong last quarter, and Byrnes’ goals, tipped the scales in favour of Golden Kilfeacle who are being quietly fancied in some quarters to go all the way to a return to senior ranks.

Golden’s winning margin might have been greater but for the excellence of former county goalkeeper Darragh Mooney for Eire Og. On three occasions he denied likely goals and though beaten three times could do nothing to prevent those green flags.

Golden hit the ground running with three points in as many minutes but Aidan Griffin’s goal in the fourth minute got Eire Og off the ground and they enjoyed the better of things in a lively first half.

Jack Leamy and Ben Currivan were very influential for Golden in the early stages but Eire Og were making the running, four points on the trot in as many minutes coming to half time from Dinny Crosse, Paudie Bradshaw, Aidan Griffin and Kevin Fox helped them to a half-time lead of 1-11 to 0-11. A smart save by Jack Currivan in the Golden goal denied Darragh Kelly just before half-time.

Byrnes had the first of his three goals a minute after resuming but Eire Og still enjoyed the better of things and with points from Bradshaw (2), Griffin (2) and Kelly they were 1-18 to 1-13 ahead approaching the three-quarter mark.

Then Golden got rightly into stride. Points from Niall Heffernan, Charlie Hall and Byrnes got the ball rolling reducing the deficit to two points.

The sides then shared six points before, in the 49th minute, Andy Byrnes bagged his second goal off a Sam Hall pass to nudge his side 2-19 to 1-21 ahead.

Currivan, Sam Hall and three points from Jack Leamy, to which Kevin Fox replied for Eire Og, had Golden 2-24 to 1-22 ahead and looking likely winners with four minutes to go.

Points from Griffin and Kelly for Eire Og made it a one-score game but Andy Byrnes struck again for Golden with his third goal a minute off the hour.

Two goals clear, they were never going to be caught, an exchange of points between Currivan and Donal O’Dwyer bringing the curtain down on a most entertaining game.

So 2025 intermediate champions Golden Kilfeacle advance to the quarter finals unbeaten and brimming with confidence.

They have a lot of quality in their side and while Andy Byrnes have made the headlines on this occasion, Jack Leamy, Ben Currivan, Sam Hall, Padraig Dalton, Niall Heffernan, Shane O’Connell, and goalie Jack Currivan are all leaders.

There was much about Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill’s display to give them heart with goalkeeper Darragh Mooney showing he has lost none of his prowess between the posts. Dan Kelly and David Fox did well in defence with Darragh Kelly and Aidan Griffin best in attack. Paudie Bradshaw also had a fine game.

Player of the Match: Andy Byrnes (Golden Kilfeacle)

Golden Kilfeacle: Jack Currivan (6); Jack Lonergan (6), Shane O’Connell (7), Ciaran Byrne (6); Eoin Marnane (0-1, 6), Niall Heffernan (0-1, 7), Aaron Colohan (0-1, 6); Gavin Dalton (6), Jack Leamy (0-5, 7); Jack Dalton (6), Ben Currivan (0-9, 6f, 7), Padraig Dalton (0-2, 7); Jack Bergin (6), Andy Byrnes (3-2, 9), Sam Hall (0-3, 7).

Subs: Charlie Hall (0-1, 6) for Bergin (37); Cian O’Connell (6) for G Dalton (46); Jack Bergin for Byrne (56).

Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill: Darragh Mooney (7); Darragh O’Brien (6), Conor O’Brien (6), Michael Bradshaw (6); Tom Fox (0-1, 6), Dan Kelly (7), David Fox (7); Connie Bradshaw (0-1, 6), Brian Fox (6); Dinny Crosse (0-2, 6), Donal O’Dwyer (0-2, 6), Paudie Bradshaw (0-4, 7); Aidan Griffin (1-7, 0-4f, 7), Kevin Fox (0-3, 6), Darragh Kelly (0-5, 7).

Subs: Liam Og O’Dwyer (6) for K Fox (52); Jack Kingston (6) for B Fox (55).

Referee: John Butler (Upperchurch/Drombane).