Stephen Donnelly’s incredible goal turned the All-Ireland intermediate final in Thomastown’s favour before they stretched clear of Castlelyons in the wide open expanses of Croke Park.
The Kilkenny side were hot favourites coming into the game and they lived up to their billing, producing a clinical display that their Cork opponents were unable to match.
As it was in the county final, when he scored a remarkable 1-8 from play, Stephen Donnelly was again the man-of-the-match, the Thomastown captain this time racking up 2-3 from play in his side’s 2-23 to 0-13 win.
He showed some impressive reactions to score the second, but his first goal will live long in the memory of anybody who witnessed it.
Inspired by their marauding defender, county man Niall O’Leary, Castlelyons were creeping back into the game when, three minutes after half-time, the two Donnellys combined to rock the Cork club back on their heels.
County man John won a break on the Cusack stand side before driving towards the Castlelyons goals.
He had plenty of options, with three support runners on his right hand side, but he by-passed two of his closest allies, lofting a hand-pass cross-field and into the path of his cousin Stephen.
From just outside the 21-yard-line, the team captain unleashed a rasper to the Castlelyons net, much to the delight of the Kilkenny faithful.
“Peter McDonald was running with me and I didn’t even know it was Stephen (on the far side.) Peter might have been the better pass,” said John Donnelly afterwards on TG4, “but Stephen buried it in fairness to him, and it was a huge score.”
#GAABEO 33 nóim @ThomastownGAA 1-13@castlelyonsgaa 0-07
Cúl draíochtúil ag an gcaptaen Stephen Donnelly do Bhaile Mhic Andáin! 🤩
Contender for goal of the year?? 🤔#GAA @GAA_BEO @KilkennyCLG
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/bpSxvH2zYP
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 13, 2024
From there, Noel Doherty’s side kicked onto win the game comfortably.
Having lost three Kilkenny intermediate finals, one semi-final and a quarter final in the five years prior to their victory in the grade this year, this Thomastown team have endured their fair share of hurling heartache.
They are now All-Ireland champions, ready to dine at Kilkenny’s top table as a senior club next year. And having won their matches in the Leinster and All-Ireland intermediate championship by 15 points, 19 points, 16, 33 and 16 points respectively, they certainly look like they’ll be able to hold their own there.
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