Larkin the James Stephens ace

Eoin Larkin inspired James Stephens to victory over gritty Graigue-Ballycallan in an exciting Kilkenny SHC quarter-final in Freshford yesterday.

Former Kilkenny star Eddie Brennan was the star of the show in the early stages as Graigue raced 0-5 to 0-1 ahead. A double goal blast from late call-up, Niall Mullins turned the match on its head, and ’Stephens led 2-5 to 0-10 at the break. Three early second-half points from frees by Larkin helped the champions gain theupper hand before a superb individual goal in the 39th minute edged his side 3-8 to 0-12 ahead. Larkin finished the day with 1-8 as his side secured a 4-12 to 0-15 victory.

A late goal from sub Danny Loughnane secured a dramatic late win for O’Loughlin Gaels against Carrickshock in Ballyhale yesterday (1-15 to 1-11) and booked their place in the last four. Only four minutes earlier Carrickshock had taken the lead with the help of an own goal (1-11 to 0-13), but inspired by Brian Hogan and Martin Comerford, O’Loughlin’s roared back to take the honours.

Former champions, Ballyhale Shamrocks hit Erin’s Own (Castlecomer) for a quick hat-trick of goals to take control of their quarter-final in Nowlan Park.

Erin’s Own looked the more threatening early on after Martin Boran opened the scoring with a brace of fine points. They were still going strong when a point from HenryShefflin levelled matters at 0-5 each in the 15th minute.

However, in a three minute spell, goals from James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick, Conor Walsh and Michael Fennelly had Shamrocks 3-5 to 0-5 clear before retiring 3-7 to 0-8 ahead at the break on their way to a 3-16 to 1-16 win.

Rising Kilkenny star, Cillian Buckley was the main man when city side, Dicksboro caused a surprise by beating St Martin’s (Muckalee) 3-15 to 0-19.

A 15th minute goal from Shane Maher was the main score of the half as Dicksboro led by 1-8 to 0-9 at the break. Martin’s took the lead for the first time in the 37th minute when Robert Short pointed. However, the ’Boro snatched back the initiative through a Shane Maher goal to put his side 2-9 to 0-12 in front. They put the game beyond all doubt when Kevin Kenny rifled home the third goal.