Graigue-Ballycallan minors recently travelled down south to face Mullinavat in an entertaining third round league match which ended in a draw.
The game was played with a fast pace from the throw-in, G.B.C starting the brighter, with wing-forward Billy Ryan scoring two goals in the opening half. The first of these followed an excellent solo run from mid-field, before hammering the ball past the stranded Mullinavat goalkeeper. However Mullinavat were always posing a threat down the other end, scoring some well taken points to leave the scoreline at half-time standing at G.B.C 2-8, Mullinavat 0-11.
The second half picked up where it left off and started at a ferocious pace, with Mullinavat scoring an early goal to level the scores at 1-12 t0 2-9. The half back line of G.B.C was put under intense pressure but Tommy Ronan, Philly Cahill and Evan Walsh played great hurling. Mullinavat continued to press, scoring some fine points and two more goals. However, the Kilmanagh lads were determined to come out on top, scoring some fine points with midfielder Shane Hennessy and full-forward Podge Dunphy getting the pick of the bunch.
In the final few minutes the game burst into life, with the match evenly balanced with just a point between them. Following some good work out the field Philly Cahill’s shot for a point came off the post and Sean Ryan reacted quickest to bury the slioter in the net, opening up a four point cushion. Mullinavat didn’t lie down and following a great save from goalkeeper Bill Cuddihy, the south Kilkenny team scored their fourth goal and quickly scored an equaliser from a free to finish this thrilling game on a scoreline of: G.B.C 3-17 Mullinavat 4-14
Overall, this was a very good performance from the G.B.C minor team with Richie Keoghan playing a solid game at full-back and Dylan Lanigan having a great game at centre-forward. They will need another good performance to overcome Ballyhale Shamrocks in their next league game.
The team was: Bill Cuddihy, Tom Dunphy, Richie Keoghan, Alan Harrison, Tommy Ronan, Eamonn Egan, Evan Walsh, Shane Hennessy, Philly Cahill, Billy Ryan, Dylan Lanigan, Jamie Lawlor, Niall Butler, Podge Dunphy, Sean Ryan, Geordan Davis, Ciaran Hogan, James Everard
