Although Kilkenny Firsts secured a place in next seasons Leinster Division 2 by beating opponents Gorey (34 -13 ) in Foulkstown on Saturday, this week the spotlight must be shone brightly on Kilkenny Seconds who beat Gorey Seconds in the Leinster Seconds Provincial League Cup final.
Kilkenny, who were hot favourites to take this title, didn’t disappoint the big crowd who had gathered on this beautiful sunny afternoon in Foulkstown. However, Gorey were hell bent on upsetting any celebration plans the home side may have had as they put in a valiant effort.
Kilkenny opened the scoring five minutes into the game through the boot of outhalf, Keith Brennan when Gorey were caught entering a ruck from the side. Having set up camp in the Kilkenny 22, Gorey levelled the score ten minutes later. Kilkenny defended well however and were very unlucky not to cross the line on at least three occasions. In the meantime Brennan had increased the lead to 6 – 3 following a penalty again on the Gorey 22m line. Two minutes before the half-time whistle the formidable Rod Hogan broke the deadlock and crossed the line for the first of the wingers two tries. Kilkenny went into the break 13 – 3 in front.
Kilkenny found new vigour in the second half, possibly as a result of the stern team-talk from coach, Enda Cantwell. Rod Hogan again opened the scoring following a superb cross-field kick from captain Vinny O’Shea into the wingers waiting arms, who only had to step over the line and touch down for his second try just right of the post. Brennan made no mistake with the conversion and it looked as if Kilkenny were home and dry. Gorey however had other plans and fought back with everything they had. Their valiant efforts were rewarded 28 minutes into the half when they scored a converted try.
The final ten minutes belonged to the Noresiders as they showed their supremacy over their opponents. Centre, Jamie Quan and hooker, James Coady both crossed the line in the final minutes of the game to leave the final score at 32 – 10 and Kilkenny holding the Cup!
With the Leinster League now in the bag, the Seconds now turn their attention on the Towns Cup as they meet IT Carlow in the second round of this cup this Saturday in Carlow, kick off 3pm. If they manage to keep their composure, a League and Cup double could be on the cards, a feat which has not been completed in the club since 2003.
Kilkenny Seconds: Alan O’Donovan, Ger Flood, Jamie Quan, Vinny O’Shea (C ), Rod Hogan, Keith Brennan, Victor Harper, Conor Bass, Shane Brennan, Dave Matthews, James Blanchfield, Brendan McIntyre, Eddie Brennan, Jimmy Dunne, Brian Nolan. Subs: James Coady, John Madden, Cormac Lynch, Quentin Hearne, Dave McMahon.
