Mooncoin 1-7
Piltown 1-6

The recent U21 championship match between Mooncoin and Piltown was played in horrific conditions in Mullinavat last Saturday. Torrential rain and howling winds made it almost impossible for a high standard of hurling to prevail. Nevertheless both sets of players gave it their all in an entertaining encounter.
Piltown were quickest out of the blocks when Nicky Kenny lobbed in a high ball towards the square and Paul Kirby was first to the pull ahead of defender Tom Hennebry and goalkeeper Michael Jones to finish to the net. Ray Wall replied with a 65 in the 8th minute but Richie McCarthy responded in the 12th minute. Wall again hit back with a free before Thomas Kearns reduced the lead to the minimum.
The elements being in the favour, Mooncoin were looking to establish a lead before the break. Paddy Kinsella’s goal ensured that the Suirsiders would have the lead while a point from Michael Grace increased the gap between the sides. Kenny replied for Piltown from a free but Tom O’Hanlon landed a point from 80 metres to give Mooncoin the lead
Half Time: Mooncoin 1-5 Piltown 1-2
The second period was a true test of endurance, with weather conditions worsening throughout the half. The wind was a much of a hindrance as a help with Piltown finding this out to their cost. However mid way through the half an incident between Tom O’Hanlon and Nicky Kenny resulted in a pair of red cards. This scenario left Piltown without their main scoring threat and was a major factor in them surrendering this game. The Piltown tally of four points in the second half was not enough to surpass Mooncoin who managed a pair of white flags to ensure victory.
The contributions of the Mooncoin defence could not be underestimated particularly as conditions deteriorated. Alan Walsh, Pauric Doody and Noel Delahunty emerged with the sliotar from challenges time and again during the second half. Derek Phelan held the centre back position well, despite Mark Culleton causing him some problems. Ray Wall and Michael Grace looked threatening up front while Patrick Kinsella managed to score the all important goal.
For the losers Kevin Brophy was sound at full back with Shane Kinsella and Joe Blackmore making telling contributions in defence. The attack lacked a cutting edge in the second half but it wasn’t short of effort on the part of Niall Kelly, Mark Culleton and Richie McCarthy.

Scorers:
Mooncoin: P Kinsella (1-0); R Wall (0-3 65+1f); T. Kearns (0-2); M. Grace & T O’Hanlon (0-1 each)
Piltown: P. Kirby (1-0); N. Kenny (0-2 1f); N. Kelly (0-2); R. McCarthy & S. Norris
(0-1 each)

Teams:
Mooncoin: M. Jones; P. Doody; A Walsh; T Hennebry; T O'Hanlon; D. Phelan; S. Wall; N. Delahunty; K. Kirwin; K. Law; C. Hearne; M. Grace; T. Kearns; R. Wall; P. Kinsella. Sub: C. Daly
Piltown: J. Norris; J. Blackmore; K. Brophy; P. Maher; N. Brennan; S. Kinsella; P. Kelly; N. Kenny; J. Brophy; T O’Gorman; M. Culleton; N. Kelly; S. Norris; P. Kirby;
R. McCarthy. Sub: B. McCarthy
Referee: A. Irish (Slieverue)