Classy Larkin on fire for Stephens

There was good news for Kilkenny fans as JJ Delaney and Michael Fennelly returned to action, but it was Eoin Larkin who grabbed the headlines in the latest round of the Kilkenny senior hurling league.

The county captain shot a devastating 2-10 as James Stephens staged an impressive comeback to rock local rivals Dicksboro 3-14 to 1-15.

Larkin bagged his two goals in a matter of second-half minutes at Nowlan Park on Saturday evening. His first came after he ghosted in behind the Dicksboro defence and blasted a low shot to the net. He added a second in the 39th minute, firing home a penalty after a foul on Richie Hayes.

The goals halted the charge of Dicksboro, who played without Kilkenny senior and U21 midfielder Cillian Buckley. Although they conceded an early goal to Matthew Ruth they led at half-time (0-10 to 1-6), but couldn’t halt the Village attack on the restart

Elsewhere the return of Delaney helped Fenians (Johnstown) stage an incredible comeback against Danesfort.

Trailing by 11 points with 25 minutes to play, the North Kilkenny side charged back into the game to snatch the spoils on 1-16 to 2-12 scoreline. Delaney grabbed the last two points, the latter from long range in injury-time.

There was no such problem for the Ballyhale Shamrocks, who handed Tullaroan their third defeat of the league, with a 3-15 to 0-20 win.

The Shamrocks were also boosted by the return to action of Michael Fennelly, who played the second half for the winners.

The other games over the weekend saw city side O’Loughlin Gaels share the points in a draw with Castlecomer’s Erin’s Own (0-17 to 1-14), while Richie Power’s Carrickshock beat Graigue-Ballycallan 2-17 to 0-9. The final senior game of the weekend saw St Martin’s beat Dunnamaggin by 3-16 to 1-12.