ALL-STAR NOMINATION: Congratulations to Cian Kenny on being nominated at midfield for the 2024 GAA All-Star awards. Cian earned the nomination on the back of an outstanding year for Kilkenny plying his skills at midfield throughout the 2024 National League, Leinster and All-Ireland championship campaigns. We wish him the best and hope that the nomination will turn into an award when the All-Star team is announced which would bring the club's total of All-Star award winners to eleven.
MINOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL: Defending minor County champions James Stephens took on Erin's Own in the championship semi-final played at Dunmore Park on Sunday. The Village lads ran into a four points to one lead after nine minutes with Conor Mc Evoy, a late replacement for the injured Ed McDermott, getting the scoreboard moving with an early free and had added two more before Bill Mc Dermott added the fourth. With strong performances from the Village half back line of Larry Phelan, Sean Deely and Conor Heffernan the supply of ball going into the Village forward line was constant. The ball winning ability of Bill McDermott, Rory Harrison and Jacob Breslin caused the Erin's Own defence endless problems, with strong support from a dominant midfield pair of Sean Bergin and Ed Lauhoff. By half time the lead had stretched to 7 points on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-4. The second half continued in the same vein with the Village lads taking most of their chances to extend their advantage to 0-17 to 0-6 by the midway mark. 'Comer kept trying but the Village defence stood strong from goalkeeper Billy O' Sullvan and his full back line of Tuan Hyland, Noah Manogue and Darragh Behan in no mood to give up any scoring opportunities. With that, a late penalty for Erin's Own resulted in a goal. With the final points of the match coming from the stick of Daniel Ring and Ed Lauhoff the final score stood at James Stephens 0-25 to Erin's Own 1-7. The final, versus Dicksboro, is fixed for Sat. 12th. Oct. at a time and venue to be decided.
JUNIOR HURLING: In Section B of the JJ Kavanagh Junior Hurling championship James Stephens took on Thomastown on Sunday evening in Bennettsbridge. In the first 15 minutes both sides traded points with the Village scores all coming from play thanks mainly to a pair of points from Mikey Drennan, Oisin Bateman and Sean Deely, in for the injured Shane Guilfoyle, to leave the score at James Stephens 0-6 Thomastown 0-4. Thomastown then scored a goal following a very incisive run through the Village defence leaving just the minimum between us, 0-8 to 1:4. The Village response was positive with Mickey Drennan adding another 3 points from play and a long range free and helped greatly by Sean Casey , Jamie Byrne and James Tyrrell to leave the Village leading at the break on a scoreline of 0:15 to 1:7. On the resumption Thomastown took the game to the Village and had six unanswered points on the board after 12 minutes before Sean Casey settled matters with a great point from play. By the 24th minute James Stephens had opened up a two point gap when Thomastown struck for their second goal from a high dropping ball that was finished to the net that gave them a one point advantage with six minutes to play. Mikey Drennan drew the game level from a free. With defenders Dinny Stapleton, Eoin Deely, Adam O' Connor and goalkeeper Daniel Power standing firm heading to the final minutes and the teams level on 0:21 to 2:15, substitute Ruairi Harrison, who had played in the minor victory earlier in the day, gathered the sliothar on the 21 meter line and beat two defenders before unleashing a shot to the back of the Thomastown net. This was quickly followed by another long rang point from midfielder James Tyrrell, his second of the day, to leave the final score of Jame Stephens 1:22 Thomastown 2:15. The result brings us into a Section B Junior Final against neighbours O Loughlin Gaels to be played on Sat. 28th. Sep at 6:15 in Danesfort.
The winners of section B will join the three qualifying Junior club teams in the semi-finals of the Junior Championship.
SENIOR CAMOGIE: Our senior ladies contested the league shield final on Saturday evening in Gowran against Young Irelands. Both teams work rate was evident from the off with the Village girls adding the first couple of scores with Hannah Scott, Niamh Deely and Aoife Cantwell providing the launch pad from the half back line. A well worked goal by the Gowran girls drew them level but the Village girls finished the first half strongly with 2pts each from Sophie O'Dwyer and Roisin Leahy. Half Time 0-7 to 1-1. The second half saw the Gowran girls up the ante and after some pressure on the Village defence brought the game level. The Village girls weren't going down without a fight and with Emily Smith and Anna Doheny excelling in midfield the Village girls added scores from Sophie O'Dwyer with 2 frees and a great score by Niamh Deely to give a Village a hard-earned victory on a scoreline of 0-12 to 1-5. Apart from those mentioned the fullback line of Niamh Leahy, Michelle Teehan, Emma Gaffney along with goalie Lucy McGrath were solid throughout and Rachel Leahy at centre forward getting through a mountain of work it was a well-deserved win for the clubs first piece of silverware at Senior level.
U-16 CAMOGIE: Our U16 team made the short trip to St John's park for the championship quarter final reply against city rivals O' Louglins. Unlike the first game the Village girls set their stall out from the start and well worked points from Maura Barton (1), Laura Leahy (2) set them on their way. A long-range goal from Emily Lauhoff and a brace of frees from Mia Dunne left the half time score at 1-5 to 0-3 in favour of the Village. The O'Loughlin girls came back strong but found strong opposition in the Village half back line of Caoimhe Egan, Aoibh Lawlor and Daisy Coomey. Lucy Coomey worked tirelessly in midfield and when Lucy Lennon found the back of the net which ultimately closed out the match. Final score 2-10 to 1-06.
U12 CAMOGIE: Final day of U12 championship was held on the Kells Rd on Saturday morning. Both teams had a great year and have shown massive improvement. The Green team had a great win over city rivals Dicksboro and the red team were beaten by Ballyhale Shamrocks.
CLUB SHOP: Shop supervisor Breda Manogue advises that the Red & Green shop reopens for business on Tuesday evening. The shop has an extensive stock of James Stephens Sports and Leisurewear including the new "Away Jersey". The shop also has a full stock of "Star" hurleys across the sizes.
BONUS BALL: Congratulations to the winners of the September Bonus Ball, Margo Grace and Breda Ryan, with number 32. Next Draw October 19th
OUTDOOR RECREATION: Rosemary Bergin, Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership, will be conducting a survey to formulate a strategy "to ensure the future of our outdoor spaces are accessible to enjoy and meet the needs of everyone in the county". Rosemary suggests that it is a great opportunity to share thoughts and help shape how all might experience Kilkenny's outdoor facilities. For Kilkenny city folk interested in making recommendations the meeting will take place in the Zuni Hotel, Patrick Street on Friday 27th September at 2.30pm. All are welcome. Contact Rosemary at 085 8048137 or in the office at 056 7794383 for further details.
LOTTO: Last week's numbers were 1, 3, 20, 27. There was no winner. This week's jackpot will be €18,600. The €40 consolation winners were Denis Lanigan, Mary Tierney, James & larla, Malcolm Good and Dinny Lanigan.
