Thomastown run riot to claim intermediate title victory

Thomastown 2-23 Castlelyons 0-12

Bridesmaids for so many years within Kilkenny, Thomastown finally enjoyed a big day out at Croke Park, capping a landmark campaign by capturing the AIB All-Ireland club IHC title.

Noel Doherty's young side lost three county finals between 2019 and 2022 and must have wondered if an occasion like this was even possible but have smashed through their glass ceiling in remarkable fashion.

Led superbly by captain Stephen Donnelly, who scored 2-3, as well as Kilkenny seniors John Donnelly and Peter McDonald, the Leinster champions streaked to a 16-point win in front of 4,537.

Free-taker Robbie Donnnelly oozed quality throughout the hour or so too and finished with nine points.

They started strongly and while there was a speed wobble for 10 or so minutes midway through the first-half, Thomastown never really looked in any trouble.

It was a tough defeat for Castlelyons to take as they experienced their own final setbacks within Cork in recent seasons before finally claiming the Premier Intermediate title but this was a level they simply couldn’t reach.

Thomastown are the eighth Kilkenny team to claim the All-Ireland intermediate crown and look set to make a big impact now on the senior scene locally.

Setting up with Niall O’Leary as their sweeper, Castlelyons sought to stifle Thomastown’s attack and to exploit the wide open spaces at the other end where David Morrison and Anthony Spillane operated in a two-man inside forward line.

The Cork and Munster champions found it tough going at the start and didn’t get a score on the board until the 14th minute when placed ball expert Alan Fenton, their top scorer with 0-07, split the posts.

In the meantime, Thomastown hit five points – three from Robbie Donnelly