Ryan strike halts Dublin comeback as Kilkenny prevail
In an absolute roller coaster of a game that produced a stunning 48 scores, it all came down to one stunning strike from star man Billy Ryan to secure victory and passage through to the Leinster senior hurling final for defending champions, Kilkenny at UPMC Nowlan Park.
On a day when the temperatures soared to the mid-twenties, the hurling absolutely sizzled as fortunes swayed one way and then the other, on several occasions actually.
Then with 69 minutes showing on the clock, weary midfielder Jordan Molloy waltzed through the losers defence and off-loaded the sliotar to Ryan. The Graigue-Ballycallan man lashed the ball into the net from a tight angle and 12 metres on the right to more or less give Kilkenny the victory that shot them through to the final and rendered next weekend's outing away to Wexford a meaningless affair.
On the other hand, Dublin entertain Galway in their last game, and it is all to play for with the winners going through to the final.
The first half was a contrasting affair. Playing against the fresh breeze and all, the strong running Dubs dominated early on. However, once Kilkenny scored their opening goal in the 15th minute they bossed affairs.
The star man early on was Dublin's Cian O'Sullivan, who flashed over three points during the opening five minutes. He wore the No. 11 jersey, but where exactly he played no one really knew. He was effective, very effective with his frightening pace and deadly accuracy hurting the Cats as he helped himself to five scores from play in this half.
The scores were level four times during the opening 15 minutes, with Dublin making all the running. Then suddenly they were stopped in their tracks. A huge Kilkenny free from their own 40 by Cian Kenny rained down on the edge of the losers square, and when the defence failed to deal with it, Adrian Mullen flicked the breaking ball home from close range.
A second goal, Kilkenny's fourth, also came from a high delivery that the visitors defence failed to deal with. Martin Keoghan put his name on this one following a clearance from full-back, Huw Lawlor.
In between the Cats had goals from Billy Ryan after a quickly taken lineball and 1-2 involving Cian Kenny (18th minute) and T.J. Ryan (28th minute) after a defence splitting run by Ryan. This scoring rush carried the winners into a strong interval lead of 4-12 to 0-10, which was something after their early uncertainty.
When the Cats opened the second half with back-to-back points from Jordan Molloy and T.J. Reid, the script appeared to be set. The Dubs didn't think so. A lovely goal from Sean Currie threw the Dubs a lifeline, although they were slow to grasp it. Passing the 45 minute mark they still trailed by 1-12 to 4-16 and things weren't looking too bright.
During a crazy 10 minutes scoring spree Dublin nabbed 2-4, the big scores falling to the hugely effective Sean Currie (free) and the wonderful Cian O'Sullivan as they clawed the divide back to a single score, 4-16 to 3-16.
The Cats were made sweat all the way home after that, until Ryan's golden late strike. They had a narrow escape in the 63rd minute when Dublin sub Ronan Hayes had a bullet-like drive turned out for a 65, which Currie turned into a point to cut the gap to 4-18 to 3-18.
Later back-to-back points from Dublin sub Andrew Jamieson Murphy left a mere two points between the sides. Then up popped Billy Ryan to deliver the decisive score.
Kilkenny: E Murphy; M Butler, H Lawlor, P Deegan; D Blanchfield, R Reid, M Carey; C Kenny, J Molloy (0-01); J Donnelly, B Ryan (2-03), S Donnelly (0-01); A Mullen (1-01), TJ Reid (1-09, 0-09f), M Keoghan (1-02).
Subs: L Hogan (0-01) for Mullen (44); K Doyle (0-01) for C Kenny (inj, 47); F Mackessy for L Hogan (inj, 59); L Connellan for S Donnelly (70); T Walsh for Blanchfield (71).
Dublin: E Gibbons; J Bellew, P Smyth, C McHugh; P Doyle, C Crummey (0-01), P Dunleavy; C Burke, C Donohoe (0-04); B Hayes, C O'Sullivan (1-05), D Power (0-01); S Currie (2-6, 1-04f), J Hetherton, C Currie.
Subs: F Whitely (0-01) for P Dunleavy ht; R Hayes for C Currie ht; R McBride (0-01) for C Burke (48); A Jamieson Murphy (0-02) for D Power (64).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
GAA previews: Cork will have goal chances against Roscommon, it's a case of taking them
SATURDAY. All-Ireland SFC, Round 3. Group 2. Kerry v Meath, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 4.15pm (J. McQuillan, Cavan). Picking All-Stars today, Matthew Costello would be a leading contender in the forward sextet so his absence in Tullamore can't be understated. Kerry are vulnerable but if Costello isn't there then Meath's chances of a surprise diminish considerably. That's not to say they don't have danger men in the forward line or can't cause issues for Kerry in midfield. They look an altogether better group than the one that metaphorically bent the knee in front of Kerry in Navan last year. But only few teams outlast Kerry in a scorefest and Meath aren't close to being one of them at the moment. Verdict: Kerry. Roscommon v Cork, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 4.15pm (M. McNally, Monaghan) Live GAA+. We'll get this out of the way from the get-go: Cork are going to have goal chances here. It's just their conversion rate has been abysmal and if that continues then they are facing their earliest exit in this championship format. Roscommon have a series of goal-getters but there is a worrying lack of cohesion in their ranks for some reason. In fairness, they saved their best until last in this stage last year but Cork are really beefed up around the middle and they should create the platform to create those counter opportunities. A nod for Cork if they can put them away but it's a big if. Verdict: Cork. Group 4. Dublin v Derry, Páirc Esler, 6.30pm (B. Cawley, Kildare) Live GAA+. The inclusion of Con O'Callaghan in the Dublin panel named late on Thursday night will have given many of their supporters a restful sleep. That's not to say the Dublin squad won't change and O'Callaghan has been withdrawn from crucial games before but the captain is crucial to Dublin in subduing a Derry side that despite their awful run of results have upped their performance levels greatly since their lengthy post-provincial break. The Newry venue should be heaving for this one and Dublin can summon another Salthill-like display to make the last 12. Verdict: Dublin. Galway v Armagh, Kingspan Breffni, 6.30pm (N. Mooney, Cavan) Live GAA+. Armagh have a luxury here but Kieran McGeeney won't like it one bit. He's like Ricky Bobby's father Reese in Talladega Nights who much prefers something to be wrong than right: 'I gotta say things are pretty much perfect right now. And it's makin' me kinda of itchy.' McGeeney has to appreciate the fine job he and Armagh have done to qualify first for the last-eight. Galway have to throw everything at them to survive and that could give them invaluable insight down the line. Of course, Armagh's fringe players have something to fight for but Galway's need is so great. Verdict: Galway. Tailteann Cup quarter-finals. Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, 5pm (L. Devenney, Mayo). Another chance for Fermanagh to show why Enniskillen is a tough place to go. Carlow undermined that widely-held belief last month but Fermanagh bounced back well with that win over Wexford in Croke Park. Sligo were finetuned by Carlow last weekend and might have the superior attacking flourishes to land a semi-final spot. Verdict: Sligo. Kildare v Offaly, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 6.30pm (T. Murphy, Galway). A large crowd is anticipated in Newbridge for the second part of this double-header where the home side will be fancied but they will appreciate Offaly can pack a punch and Mickey Harte will have them set up well. Averaging over 30 points a game in their group, if Kildare are to continue demonstrating they belong at a higher grade, they should be able to deliver a professional performance to advance. Verdict: Kildare. All-Ireland JFC quarter-final. New York v USGAA, Gaelic Park, New York 10pm Irish time (S. Hurson, Tyrone). Verdict: New York. All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-finals. Laois v Tipperary, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 1.45pm (C. Mooney, Dublin) Live GAA+. With the greatest of respect to Laois and Kildare, it's difficult to give these games much positive coverage when the results are all but inevitable. Laois only want the season to end whereas Tipperary will want to mark their liberation from the Munster SHC with a smooth, injury-free afternoon in Portlaoise. Tipperary can't win by enough but winning is enough to set up a date with Galway. Verdict: Tipperary Kildare v Dublin, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 4pm (J. Owens, Wexford). Widely expected to be the closer of the two preliminary quarter-finals, the feelgood factor in Kildare and momentum generated from beating Laois should help them be competitive in the first half. Asking them to refocus for Dublin after the high of last Sunday is unfair and Dublin will look to pop their balloons early on. Kildare can hold their own for some of this but not enough to table a genuine challenge. Verdict: Dublin. Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC semi-final. Kilkenny v Waterford, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 7.30pm (E. Furlong, Wexford) Live TG4. A throw-in time that does little for the promotion of the All-Ireland minor championship. Kilkenny were convincing Leinster champions but they should face a real examination from a Waterford side that are strong around the middle and came up just short in the Munster final against Cork. Verdict: Kilkenny. TG4 All-Ireland senior ladies football championship, Round 2. Group 1. Donegal v Galway, Naomh Padraig Leifear, Lifford, 2pm (B. Rice, Down). Donegal will want to give a good account of themselves at home but may have one eye on the Tipperary game knowing that winning that will get them into the knock-out stages. Galway are in fine fettle. Verdict: Galway. Group 2. Cork v Kerry, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.30pm (S. Curley, Galway) Live TG4. Kerry showed the mark of champions when the sides met in the Munster championship even if their recent win over Mayo was on the laborious side. Cork can make life difficult for patches but Kerry look certs to top the group. Verdict: Kerry. Group 3. Kildare v Meath, Hawkfield CoE, 12.45pm (S. Mulvihill, Kerry) Live TG4. Courtesy of the Armagh-Meath draw, Kildare know a win in either of their games will see them through but their form doesn't indicate that a surprise is on the cards. Meath to jump to the No1 spot for the time being. Verdict: Meath. Group 4. Dublin v Leitrim, Parnell Park, 2pm (G. Canny, Mayo). Not that it was humbling – Waterford's credentials have been there for everyone to see – but being held by The Déise serves as a reminder to Dublin that they are not going to have it all their own way. They can comfortably seal their passage to the quarter-finals here all the same. Verdict: Dublin. SUNDAY. All-Ireland SFC, Round 3. Group 1. Donegal v Mayo, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 4pm (P. Faloon, Down) Live RTÉ. The venue may have given Donegal a cause for siege mentality but there will be plenty of locals paying in to see a good contest and hoping Mayo might be sent packing from the competition. The two-week gap from beating Tyrone will be beneficial to Mayo when they have struggled badly to back up championship performances one weekend after the next. Donegal have shown that their underbelly isn't completely protected and despite being so well drilled they can be porous at the back. Mayo just don't seem to be the type of team that can have a real cut at exposing that. Show some dash and they have a chance but this game is more likely to follow a formulaic theme, which will suit Donegal. Verdict: Donegal. Tyrone v Cavan, Brewster Park, 4pm (P. Neilan, Roscommon). Among the victorious Tyrone support that left Ballybofey last month, there were those who felt the absence of Shaun Patton and Donegal's high wide count masked the significance of the win. Mayo shattered any grand designs Tyrone had about themselves and here they will have to be gritty and relentless to stop Cavan. It appears a couple of key Tyrone players are playing with injuries but there can be no mitigating factors when a quarter-final place is on the line. Verdict: Tyrone. Group 3. Louth v Clare, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 2pm (B. Tiernan, Dublin). As discussions about the Munster SFC format being rejigged to take away Clare's semi-final seeding, it would be an opportune time to remind people in the province why they have been a fixture in the Sam Maguire Cup group stages these past three years. Louth have found it difficult to hit terra firma since the Leinster final heroics but this game, while not a failsafe, was probably always in the back of their minds. Win here and they would have a shot at a preliminary quarter-final. Clare will deliver a display far better than their last three outings but Louth should have a small cushion at the final whistle. Verdict: Louth. Monaghan v Down, Box-It Athletic Grounds, 2pm (D. Coldrick, Meath) Live RTÉ. A de factor preliminary quarter-final a week before the preliminary quarter-final where the winners in Armagh city will enjoy a two-week gap before their last eight assignment. Down need only a draw to top the group and in Pat Havern and Odhrán Murdock they have real ballers but Monaghan's list of match-winners is lengthier and they are playing some beautiful football. Verdict: Monaghan. Tailteann Cup quarter-finals. Wicklow v Westmeath, Echelon Park, 1.15pm (J. Molloy, Galway) Live GAA+. It mightn't match the buzz there was around Aughrim when Dublin visited in the Leinster championship but there should be a sense of occasion around this clash. Westmeath have had to qualify with an extra outing but should be too good for the hosts even if their captain Dean Healy is playing out of his skin. Verdict: Westmeath. Limerick v Wexford, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.45pm (B. Griffin, Kerry) Live GAA+. Limerick's revolution under Jimmy Lee has been a compelling story. There were some rough times at the outset of his management as he negotiated a braindrain but the fruits of his labours are being seen now. Wexford amassed five goals against Antrim last weekend but they will find their opponents here miserly. Limerick to back up their win over Westmeath with another fine victory. Verdict: Limerick. Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC semi-final. Cork v Clare, FBD Semple Stadium, 1pm (C. Doyle, Tipperary) Live TG4. Seven points separated the sides in Tulla back in the middle of April but such are the vagaries at minor level that not much can be ruled out here. Yes, Cork are Munster champions and should seal an All-Ireland final date but Clare will want to set the tone early on as a means of creating doubt. They are on the back of two good wins too since Cork's provincial final but Cork were flawless in Munster and can carry on that form. Verdict: Cork.
Dublin Live
5 hours ago
- Dublin Live
Kildare v Dublin: Time, tickets, TV, odds, and everything you need to know ahead of crunch hurling clash
Dublin are set to make the brief journey to Newbridge this Saturday to face Kildare in the preliminary quarter-final of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. The Dublin team will be keen to regain their momentum this summer, having missed out on a second consecutive provincial final. Sean Currie has been performing well this championship, boasting 4-44 from his Leinster campaign, with Brian Hayes and Cian O'Sullivan also making their mark. This weekend's hosts and opponents are entering the game on a high note. They clinched the Joe McDonagh Cup last weekend with an impressive 10-point victory over Laois. Second-half goals from Jack Travers and Jack Sheridan enabled the Lillies to distance themselves from their Leinster rivals and secure their first-ever Joe McDonagh Cup. They also achieved promotion from the Allianz Hurling League Division 2 this year, but fell short in the league final earlier this year against Down. They're set to face Dublin in the league and Leinster championship next year, and will be looking to set an early precedent by ending their summer this weekend. Kildare's stellar performance at the weekend underscores the threat they pose, with David Qualter being one player to keep an eye on. He racked up 1-65 throughout the league and demonstrated his form once again last Sunday when he scored 0-13, with 11 of those points coming from frees. Sheridan and Gerry Keegan will also be among several attackers hoping to give Dublin a run for their money this Saturday as Dublin make a short trip. The victors will face a formidable challenge against Limerick in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals, set for the weekend of June 21/22. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game: Where is the game taking place, and what time is throw-in? The game is happening at Cedral St Conleth's Park in Newbridge. Throw-in is at 4pm. Are tickets still available? Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster here. Will the game be on TV? No, the game will not be on TV. Odds Dublin 1/18 Kildare 11/1 Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Dublin Live
5 hours ago
- Dublin Live
Derry v Dublin: Time, tickets, TV, odds, and everything you need to know ahead of key football clash
Dublin have to win to keep their All-Ireland Championship fate in their own hands when they take on Derry in their final Group 4 clash. All-Ireland champions Armagh are the first side in the three years of the round robin to qualify as table toppers with one game to spare. This is the third year in a row they've topped their group to claim the one automatic quarter-final spot on offer. This may help Galway, who they face this weekend. Galway have one point, the same as Derry, after the sides drew last time out. If Derry beat Dublin they survive - and on top of this, if Galway beat Armagh then it would be Dublin who finish bottom of the group and bow out. A draw is enough for Dublin to go through, and would see Derry exit the competition if Galway were to get a draw or better against Armagh. A Galway draw and a Derry win over Dublin would mean the two sides finish on two point but Galway would be out (based on their head to head loss to Dublin). Galway (-1) can still lose to Armagh and survive provided Derry (-4) lose to Dublin and the current three point gap in scoring averages between Galway and Derry isn't bridged. If Armagh draw or win against Galway, Dublin are safe regardless of their result against Derry. Here is everything you need to know about the game: Where is the game taking place, and what time is throw-in? The game is happening at Pairc Esler in Newry. Throw-in is at 6:30pm. Are tickets still available? Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster here. Will the game be on TV? The game will be live on GAA+. Odds Dublin 4/7 Derry 2/1 Draw 7/1 Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
