A truly unforgettable day at Park Avenue, where history was made in the opening round of the EY2 Hockey League. Railway Union, the hosts, welcomed the newcomers, Kilkenny, to the big stage – their first ever game in this competition after promotion from Leinster Division 1 and what a game it turned out to be!
From the first whistle, Railway Union came flying out of the blocks, dominating possession and launching wave after wave of attacks. But credit where it’s due, Kilkenny’s defence, led by the ever-composed Emmett Hughes and the tireless Kyle Hancock, stood tall. Early pressure from the home side was stifled, and as Railway sought to break through, it was their keeper, Ian O’Keefe, who kept them at bay, making a brilliant save from Fergal Keavney’s strike at the top of the D. No goals in the first quarter, but plenty of promise in the air.
The second quarter was where it all came to life. Railway’s Toby Slye-O’Connell broke into the Kilkenny circle, and although his initial shot was saved, the rebound fell kindly to Darragh Curley to pounce and give the hosts the lead – 1-0. But Kilkenny were not to be outdone. Just moments later, a brilliant run from Riain Delaney down the right set up Dave McClure. McClure’s pull-back found Andy Atkinson, who showed wonderful composure to fire a reverse sweep into the top corner. A sensational equaliser. 1-1. Game on!
And so, to the second half. Kilkenny came out with real purpose. Eddie Dore was running the show in midfield, dictating the pace. And when Kilkenny won a short corner, up stepped young Riain Delaney. The 16-year-old’s drag flick was blocked, but his follow-up was as calm as you like, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give Kilkenny the lead – 2-1! The away side had turned it around and the momentum was with them. But Railway, ever the threat, responded by winning a penalty stroke after Lorenzo Della Corte was fouled in the circle. Up stepped Mark English, and in his usual style, he calmly wrong-footed O’Keefe to level things up at 2-2. Railway were back in it!
The drama just kept on coming. With both sides visibly tiring in the final quarter, Railway came close to taking the lead but it was a penalty corner won off a Kilkenny shin pad the proved to be their undoing. Up stepped Mark English, and this time, the shot was unstoppable. A thunderous flick that found the bottom corner – 3-2 to Railway. It seemed like the game was slipping away from Kilkenny. But what a response from them! Eddie Dore picked out Howard McDonnell, who then fed Kieran Delaney. Delaney, with a touch of brilliance, ghosted past two defenders before delivering a perfect cross into the circle. A slight deflection off the railway stopper sent the ball airborne, and there was Javier Romero – the Argentine striker, with lightning-fast reflexes – volleying the ball into the net. 3-3! A dramatic equaliser, and the away side had earned the draw and what could be a very valuable 2 points.
The final whistle blew, and what a result it was. A magnificent advert for the league. Kilkenny, in their first-ever game at this level, showed incredible heart, character, and quality. Standout performances from Riain Delaney, Eddie Dore, and the defensive stalwarts like Kyle Hancock and Emmett Hughes were key.
Next up for the men from Kilkenny – Bandon at home. A result like this will do their confidence the world of good. And so, after an opening round full of drama, it’s all to play for in Pool A of Irish hockeys 2nd tier of the national league.
