Emeralds are the form team in the intermediate grade as they were always in control against a Conahy Shamrocks’ outfit that suffered their first defeat in nearly 15 months.
Inspired by Ian Grant, inter-county stars Derek Lyng and Aidan Fogarty, Alan Guilfoyle and full-back Ger Joyce, the Urlingford outfit were always oozing confidence. With their current form they will take the world of stopping in an attempt to land intermediate honours.
It’s a wake-up call for the Jenkinstown outfit, as their splendid unbeaten run ended and they’ll face a major challenge to restore confidence ahead of their eighth intermediate quarter-final clash.
The shield final saw Rower-Inistioge relinquish a ten-point lead against Erin's Own of Castlecomer.
After leading 2-4 to 0-0 after just 12 minutes thanks to the excellent Michael Grace who bagged a brace of goals, the 'Comer men responded and inspired by the excellent long-range free-taking of Damian Fogarty, they trailed by only 4 points 2-6 to 0-8 at the interval.
A low scoring second-half saw the southern men lead 2-9 to 0-12 with time running out, but Erin's Own were awarded a 20 metre free in the 58th minute.
David Buggy’s well struck attempt was brilliantly blocked by Kieran Joyce, before Michael Moran managed to squeeze the rebound attempt sufficiently past Liam Tierney to draw the 'Comer men level- 2-9 to 1-12.
Late points from substitute Peadar Boran and a long range free from Damian Fogarty who scored 0-5 in total sealed a valuable win in a dramatic finish, as the southern men only had themselves to blame for throwing away a commanding lead.
Danesfort recorded a major victory as they defeated Mullinavat 2-14 to 3-9, having trailed by 8 points early in the second-half.
Two goals from Jamie Fennelly had built up a 2-7 to 0-5 lead for the 2006 intermediate hurling champions, before Adrian Ronan’s charges outscored their opponents 2-9 to 0-1 during a 20 minute spell in the second-half.
Inspired by the Hogan brothers Richie and Paddy, Gavin O’Keeffe, Tony Woodcock, John Ireland and the magnificent Paul Murphy, Danesfort had amazingly opened up a six-point lead 2-14 to 2-8.
Mullinavat replied late as Willie O’Dwyer’s attempted brace resulted in 1-1, but Danesfort held on for a memorable 2-14 to 3-9 victory.
2004 and 2005 intermediate finalists Mooncoin dug deep to record a hard-earned 3-11 to 2-10 victory over Thomastown in Mullinavat on Saturday evening.
An early goal from Derek Brennan got Thomastown off to a perfect start, before inter-county intermediate forward Eoin Henebry replied with 1-1.
Three points from minor Stuart Waugh and a goal from Mickey Mahony left the blues 2-4 to 1-3 ahead, as they led 2-6 to 1-5 at the interval.
Dessie Walsh pointed early in the second-half to extend Thomastown’s lead, before the Suir-siders scored an unanswerable 1-4 as they led 2-9 to 2-7 entering the final 10 minutes.
Thomastown were awarded a penalty as Richie O’Hara’s attempt was weakly struck, as the initiative swung Mooncoin’s way.
They took full advantage as Keith Kirwan bagged a third goal, to secure a quarter-final berth, but concern for them as full-forward Diarmuid Mackey was carried off with a suspected hamstring injury.
The two relegation semi-finals saw Glenmore and Graiguenamanagh and John Lockes (Callan ) and St Lachtain’s (Freshford ) battle it out to see who was guaranteed hurling at intermediate grade for 2009.
Graiguenamanagh defeated Glenmore 1-12 to 0-12 in Thomastown, while two injury-time goals from Robbie Dowling secured a 3-12 to 2-12 victory for a fortuitous St Lachtain’s over an unfortunate Callan outfit.
Five times hurling champions between 1987 and 1999, Glenmore are now just an hour’s hurling away from dropping down to junior level as they’ll face their Callan opponents to see who avoids the drop.
Glenmore playing in the junior grade was a scenario unthinkable less than 5 years ago, but their lack of scoring power has shown up all season and it has proved to have a telling effect.
