Scoreline flattered us, Dicksboro manager admits as city side reach Kilkenny SHC final

O’Loughlin Gaels were level at the break in this city derby but Dicksboro ruled the roost from then on

Shane Stapleton of Dicksboro shoots to score his side's second goal during the Kilkenny SHC semi-final against O'Loughlin Gaels at UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Kilkenny SHC: Dicksboro 2-16 O'Loughlin Gaels 0-14

Dicksboro manager Mark Dowling admitted he didn’t expect his team to have it as easy against their city rivals in Saturday’s Kilkenny SHC semi-final.

The UPMC Nowlan Park scoreboard read eight points apiece at half-time, as it had in the league final meeting of the sides last month, which Dicksboro won after a penalty shoot-out.

But on this occasion, second-half goals by Aidan Nolan and Shane Stapleton, both on the back of excellent solo runs, ensured a relatively comfortable passage to their second final in three years.

“I think the scoreline might flatter us a bit,” said Dowling. “At half-time, it was very tight. In our four previous meetings, we either went to extra-time or there was just a point or two in it at the end so I thought it would go to the wire again. We got a couple of breaks in front of the goal and they probably missed a couple of chances and that’s the difference.

“I am not just saying it but I am genuinely surprised by the margin because the players know each other so well from school and county teams. I really expected it to be the same.

The goals were probably the sucker punches to O’Loughlin’s and we were able to get the scores easier after that.

The goals came within the space of 14 minutes. Nolan’s skilful pick-up before commencing his solo run from the right wing to the posts in the 37th minute was almost as good as his dummy before deftly finding the net.

Stapleton’s run was more defined by power after the lively Bill Sheehan fielded the ball and passed to the Dicksboro centre-forward.

“It opened up for Shane — I don’t even know how he got the strike in,” said Dowling. “Aidan has been doing well and he’s got a few goals for us during the years and Shane was due one. His free-taking has been exemplary the whole way through.”

O'Loughlin Gaels’ Mikey Butler fends off Chris Kavanagh of Dicksboro. Picture: INPHO

O’Loughlin Gaels’ Mark Bergin struggled to find his range in the first half when his team aided by a strong wind, hitting six wides and also the post, while Stapleton was unerring and added two sideline cuts to three frees.

There were goal threats at both ends although both were snuffed out quickly. Sheehan was denied a goal in the 11th minute while a hook stunted Luke Hogan’s opportunity 13 minutes later.

Dicksboro led by two points at the water break and extended it to three points on two occasions soon after but three on the bounce inside four minutes brought Dicksboro back on level terms and the sides exchanged points in additional time.

With six points from play, Eoin O’Shea stood out for O’Loughlin Gaels, who surprisingly chose to put Huw Lawlor into the half-back line when he and Paddy Deegan had been performing strongly in the defensive spine in previous matches.

Whereas this season has been a slow burner for Shamrocks from the opening league draw against Tullaroan, Dicksboro’s graph has been high from the outset and remained there.

“I think it’s good for players in that they’re going from week to week and they don’t have too much time to think about matches and then you don’t have much time to fill in between matches,” said Dowling. “It’s just rest and recovery and getting right for the next game.

“For management, it’s a little bit more tricky. Are you doing enough? Are you doing too much? It’s hard to find that balance and you just have to trust the matches are keeping guys ticking over and up to speed.”

Scorers for Dicksboro: S Stapleton (1-10, 0-8 frees, 0-2 sidelines); A Nolan (1-1); B Sheehan (0-2); T Kenny, L Moore, C Kelly (0-1 each).

Scorers for O’Loughlin Gaels: E O’Shea (0-6); M Bergin (0-4, frees) O Wall, P Butler, H Lawlor, S Bolger (0-1 each).

DICKSBORO: D Holohan; E Cody, E Carroll, C Fitzpatrick; O Walsh, C Buckley,T Kenny; C Kavanagh, R Fitzpatrick; L Moore, S Stapleton, A Nolan; B Sheehan, E Gough (c), M Nolan.

Subs: O Gough for A Nolan (inj 42); C Doheny for M Nolan (46); M Gaffney for C Kavanagh (57); C Kavanagh for R Fitzpatrick (60+2).

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS: S Murphy; E Kearns, T Forristal, M Butler; H Lawlor (c), P Deegan, J Molloy; J Nolan, M Bergin; C Heary, E O’Shea, P Butler; S Bolger, O Wall, L Hogan.

Subs: R Buckley for O Wall (48); C Kelly for S Bolger (51); O Murphy for M Butler (inj 57); D Burke for L Hogan (60).

Referee: P Cahill (Dunnamaggin).