Kilkenny Crowned Neville Cup Champions After Thrilling Shootout
December 29, 2025
Date: December 26th, 2025, 14:00
Venue: Loreto Kilkenny
Umpires: Sunni Charles & Cameron Slade
Teams: Portrane HC v Kilkenny HC
Full-Time Score: 2–2
Final Score: Kilkenny HC won 3–2 on shuttles
Man of the Match: Kyle Handcock
Photography Credit: Caroline Scofield
Kilkenny HC were crowned Neville Cup champions following a dramatic and hard-fought final against Portrane HC on St Stephen’s Day, with the match decided by shuttles after a thrilling contest finished level at full time. Played in front of a large and vocal crowd at Loreto Kilkenny, the final delivered a fitting spectacle, with Kilkenny edging the shootout 3–2 to secure a memorable and historic victory.
The annual Neville Cup Final was contested between Portrane HC and hosts Kilkenny HC, with the trophy first played for in 1979 and named in honour of three stalwarts of north county Dublin hockey. Portrane travelled with a strong and well-organised support, and combined with local backing, an estimated 200–300 spectators were present in the cold but bright winter sunshine.
Portrane entered the match as favourites, having finished top of the Leinster EY Qualifier League and holding recent bragging rights over Kilkenny, including a 4–1 league win earlier in October. However, Kilkenny started brightly, using the width of the pitch effectively, with Howard McDonnell distributing accurately from midfield.
Sustained early pressure from the hosts was rewarded when a penalty stroke was awarded following a short corner, which Dave McClure calmly dispatched low to the left of Cameron Goodwin. Portrane responded quickly, when Angelo Walstroom intercepted a pass and fired powerfully into the top corner, underlining his international quality. As the quarter progressed, Portrane increased their circle entries and began to exert pressure of their own.
Kilkenny responded strongly in the second quarter, with excellent defensive work from Kyle Handcock, Andy Atkinson and Tim Cope. Handcock, playing on the left side despite traditionally lining out on the right, showed maturity beyond his 17 years. A brilliant run down the left endline, allowed Howard McDonnell to sweep the ball home and restore Kilkenny’s lead at 2–1.
Portrane again showed their quality by equalising before the break. With Kilkenny temporarily reduced to ten following a yellow card, sustained pressure earned Portrane a short corner, which Noa Mulvey deflected into the roof of the net. Mulvey continued his impressive form, having recently scored a standout goal for Ireland U21s earlier in the month. The sides went in level at 2–2 at half time.
The third quarter saw Kilkenny apply a strong press as the game remained finely balanced. A series of cards saw Kilkenny reduced to nine players for a short period, placing significant pressure on their defence. Goalkeeper Ian O’Keeffe made several important saves to keep Kilkenny in the contest, while the hosts continued to create chances of their own at the other end.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the final quarter, with Kilkenny opting to stay on the front foot rather than defend deep, earning a late short corner. Despite chances at both ends, the match finished level at full time, sending the contest to shuttles.
In the shootout, Ian O’Keeffe proved decisive, producing key saves to give Kilkenny the advantage. After the sides remained tied following four rounds, Eddie Dore stepped up for the decisive fifth shuttle, using his experience to move the goalkeeper before finding the net and sealing a famous victory.
This success marks Kilkenny’s first Neville Cup triumph and is a significant milestone, becoming the first club outside Dublin to lift the trophy. It was a performance built on collective effort, resilience, and composure, and a victory that will be fondly remembered by the club and the wider provincial hockey community.
Kilkenny HC
Ian O’Keeffe (GK)
Howard McDonnell
Andy Atkinson
John McNamara
Kyle Handcock
Riain Delaney
Emmet Hughes
Eddie Dore
Tim Cope
Billy McEnery (Captain)
Dave McClure]
Evin McClure
Sean Corbett
Eddie Healy
Kieran Delaney
Harry Earl
Manager: Gary Doyle
Portrane HC
Cameron Goodwin (GK)
Tristan Boyall
Dylan Eustace
Dylan Ferreira
Rory Govan
David Graham
Sean Graham
Noa Mulvey
Tom Mulvey
Chris Neville
Cameron Shoebridge
John Skehan (Captain)
Max Stead
Adrian Sweeny
Liam Wash
Angelo Walstroom
