The 3-2 scoreline did no justice to the Kilkenny Hockey Club Men’s Seconds.
Travelling with a squad of 12 and having not played together since before Covid-19, the signs were ominous from the outset.
However the performance, from the debutants especially, gave great hope for the season to come.
Having fallen behind early on, captain Tristan Lynas rallied his troops before assisting debutant Diarmuid Langton for the equaliser.
Langton, from Gowran was a constant threat throughout and his goal can be a real positive for the new season.
Picking it up in midfield, Langton powered past two men before slipping a deft ball to Lynas.
Experience showed as a delicate touch from Lynas opened the defence for Langton to slot home.
The equaliser was well deserved and with confidence growing Kilkenny peppered the Navan goal.
Half time came too soon, but the Kilkenny men resumed where they had left off and deservedly took the lead through a real poacher’s goal from Ross Comerford.
Again, Lynas played the support role to a tee and Comerford finished with aplomb.
Against the run of play Navan stole an equaliser almost immediately, and the damage was completed five minutes from time.
With a series of short corners defended well, the Kilkenny defence finally capitulated as a messy, scrambled goal snuck past Paul O’Donnell in the Kilkenny goal.
The game was not yet done as Kilkenny threw caution to the wind and Gordon Peppard pushed up from sweeper.
Kilkenny laid siege to the Navan circle and won a series of short corners. However Navan held firm and took all three points.
Training is in the Loreto Convent Grounds on Tuesdays (7.30 – 9pm) and Thursday (8-9pm). New members are always welcome.
Next match for the 2s against Corinthians is on Saturday at 1.30pm.
Squad: Paul O’Donnell, Nigel Dagg, Gordon Peppard, David Wall, Conor Comerford, Emmett Hughes, Luke O’Donnell, Diarmuid Langton, Jack Bennett, Tristan Lynas (captain), Ross Comerford, Dara Chadwick.
Kilkenny Press plans to continue with regular coverage of Kilkenny Hockey Club games.
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