Report by Tomás McCluskey
Graigue-Ballycallan had their first League hurling match outing this year against Lisdowney in Tom Ryall Park, Kilmanagh on Friday 17th April. This year Graigue-Ballycallan compete in Roinn A in Kilkenny.
The team lined out as follows: Goal Jason O’Brien. Full backs Kevin Ging, Eoin Delahunty and Simon O’Dwyer, half backs Alex McCluskey, Eamonn Corcoran and Brendan Dunne. Mid-Fielders were Oisín Egan and Daniel Lawlor. Half forwards John Muldowney, Finn Lanigan and Scott Lawlor. Full Forward Line Jack Walton, Stephen Keoghan and Paddy Brennan. JJ Ryan came in for Kevin Ging. Subs were Dan Cahill, Mark Brennan, Craig Lawlor and Liam Cleere.
The entire match was nip and tuck with good passages of play from both sides. At half time there was one point in the score in favour of the locals with Paddy Brennan scoring 1-1. Oisín Egan had a dominant effect well supported by Finn Lanigan and Eamonn Corcoran. In the second half Kevin Ging, who had a solid performance, suffered a broken collar bone and was replaced by JJ Ryan who performed very well. Jason O’Brien had an excellent game in goal with intelligent, long puck outs. Once Simon O’Dwyer came to half back and Stephen Keoghan moved to Midfield the locals won more position and managed to score two late points for a tie the game.
Overall, an excellent display of determination and hurling skill throughout the game.
Final score was 1-10 to Graigue-Ballycallan and 13 points to Lisdowney.