Report by Bill Cuddihy
Neighbours and arch rivals Graigue Ballycallan and Tullaroan went head to head in the third round of the Intermediate Hurling League in Palmerstown and it was Tullaroan who shaded victory by a point. Brave Graigue Ballycallan never gave up and there was never much between the teams in a game full of excitement.
In a tight and tense first half, GBC trailed by 0-9 to 0-6 after twenty minutes, with Conor Murphy, Shane Butler and Niall Millea putting the Kilmanagh side on the score board. However, three more points from Willie O’Connor, Shane Butler and a gem of a point from Conor Murphy along the sideline, left the half time score reading 0-11 to 0-9 in favour of Tullaroan.
Like in the first half, the first four scores were equally shared, before the Graigue supporters were sent into delight with a goal from Willie O’Connor, who just managed to sneak his shot inside the near post. A point from Shane Butler, his fourth of the match, put GBC two clear with fifteen minutes remaining. Tullaroan stormed back into the game with a Mark Walsh goal edging his team back in front. GBC battled on until the end and points from Niall Millea and a massive 90 metre free from PJ Trant left the scoreline level. Padraig Walsh, who had been prominent throughout, scored the winning point in a hell for leather dash to the finish. Final score: Tullaroan 1-15, GBC 1-14.
The outcome was hard on Graigue who fought hard and had the scoring opportunities to win, had they been more clinical in their finishing. PJ Trant was sound in goal, while James Ryall, Ger Teehan and Eoin Corcoran performed strongly in defence. Niall Millea and Ciaran Hoyne worked tirelessly in midfield while up front, Shane Butler and Willie O’Connor were top performers causing serious damage to the Tullaroan defence. They must now regroup to play Tullogher Rosbercon in six weeks time.
The team was: PJ Trant(0-1), Eoin Corcoran, Pat Robinson, Darragh Egan, Dara Walton, James Ryall, Ger Teehan, Niall Millea, Ciaran Hoyne, Willie O’Connor(1-1), Shane Butler(0-4), Eddie Brennan, Billy Ryan, Michael Hoyne, Conor Murphy(0-5) with subs Padraic Dunphy, Bill Cuddihy, Thomas Ryan, Philip Cahill, Bob Murphy, Vinny Teehan, Padharic Tynan, Eamonn Egan, Peter Boland, Colum Prendiville, Philip Heafey, Eoin Robinson, Sean Tynan, Anthony Ryan, Shane Murphy, James Smith.