DEFEATED by champions, Coolderry in the first round, Ballyskenach came back into the running for county honours on Sunday, when, at St. Brendan's Park, Birr, they had a good win over Shinrone (4-7 to 2-5) in the Offaly senior hurling Championship (Losers Group).
The winners certainly deserved their victory in a game which, although not producive of brilliant hurling, nonetheless was exciting and close. Exchanges were tough, too tough at times, and several incidents called for reprimands from referee Mr. O'Connor (Athlone). Some terse pulling and entirely unnecessary hard tackling marred the game to a great extent. These aspects aside, both teanis entered the fray with all the enthusiasm and eagerness of two neighbouring combinations in opposition.
A Fitter Team
Ballyskenach's basis for victory lay in their better fitness and more concentration on the ball than on their opponents. In the opening minutes Sinrone seemed quicker to settle down, and a great goal by Sean McGee after seven minutes looked like putting them on the road to victory. However, once the Ballyskenach men found their feet, they began to wear down -their opponents, and with first time pulling showed their superiority.
Yet, had they lost, the old story of faulty shooting would have been the only excuse to offer. In the first half their forwards had ample opportunity to raise both green and white flags, and they must have amazed themselves as well as the small attendance with unbelievable inaccurate shooting.
Had Shinrone received similar opportunities one wonders if they would have put them to better use.
Ballyskenach's Best
In arrears by a point at the interval (2-3 -to 2-2), Shinrone started the second
half in a great style and Noel McMahon had them on level terms after half a
minute. They failed to keep up the pressure, however, and it was the winners
who took up the running and got on top, remaining there until the final whistle.
Man of the match was Ballyskenach's inter- county player, Gerry Kirwan. This
strong, well-built, centre half back had a stormer, repulsing attack after attack
and clearing his lines in great fashion.
Directly behind him Paddy Dooley was also in good forrn and kept many Shinrone atrtracks at bay. Jack Dooley, although beaten twice, again produced the great form shown against Coolderry when the winning sextet failed to register a goal. Paddy McLoughlin in the number eight position had almost complete control of the area, getting excellent assistance from Ned Delaney. Andrew Hoctor, in the opposite camp, was often much to the fore in this area also.
The winners forward line improved immensely after the resumption and all six played a major role in the team's victory.
The Franks trio, Dick, Eddie and Paddy were all Prominent in attack, Dick in Partipular having a fine hour. Jim Bulger advanced from his right full back berth to the attack early in the game and was more effective there (as indeed was Sonny Hogan who moved back into defence). Tadhg Kirby, until a hand injury forced his retirement before ihe interval was also shaping well. Billy McLoughlin took his scores well and was a real menace to ithe opposing defence.
Shinrone's keeper, Joe Landy, gave his usual sound perfomnance and got good protection from a tough, if not spectacular, full back line. Tom Fitzgerald, moved back to the right full position on the departure of Tobin Hoctor. Tobin had been doing quite well and came back into the fray towards the end of the game, this time in attack, when Joe Landy retired injured. Alan Grant and Tom Maher were also sound in defense. As previously mentioned, Andrew Hoctor starred at midfield. His display was brilliant right through, and had even two more of his team played with the same enthusiasm it might have spelt big danger for the winners.
Sean McGee started well and goaled twice in the opening quarter, but he failed to keep up the pace after the interval. Noel McMahon and Brendan Feehan in the full forward line tried hard to take scores but found the rock-like oppositn defence a tough barrier.
A Wise Fixture
Ballyskenach now face Birr on Sunday at the same venue, a fixture which the county Board can hardly hope to capitalise on, due to the Tipperary v. Waterford Munster final being played in Limerick.
Shinrone Start Well
Seven minutes elapsed before a score came and with Sbinrone putting on the pressure it was almost inevitable that they would open the scoring. After some heavy pulling around the Ballyskenach goal mouth, Sean McGee rammed home a great goal. The winners quickly swung balk into attack after a similar onslaught on the Shinrone goal, and a major from Tadhg Kirby. Paddy Fraciks added a point immediately after it. Shinrone took up the running again. but excellent saves and clearancs by Gerry Kirwan add Paddy Dooley saw their efforts thwarted. However, in the 12th minute, Sean McGee got through for another goal to put Shinrone ahead. Ballyskenach had many opportunities to add to their account, but the forwards failed to make proper use of their chances.
Shinrone were next to score again, this time Joe Landy pointing on the 19th minute. Eddie Franks replied with a similar minor for Sllinrone before Ballyskenach took the lead after 20 minutes. The man responsible was Paddy McLoughlin, whose low hard drive from a Placed ball on the 21 Yard line found its way to the net. Billy McLoughlin further increasd the lead with a well taken point before Noel McMahon closed the first half scoring with a point three minutes from the interval.
Second Half.
Attacking immediatey after resumng, Shinrone lost no time about getting down to their task, and when Noel MoMahon equalled, all looked well for them. The winners were not to be denied, however, and after a scramble around the Shinrone goalmouth managed to earn a point, John Landy having left his post to make an unsuccessful clearance. Eddie Franks broke through the defence but was brought down and Paddy McLoughlin pointed the resultant free. Noel McMahon replied with a Shinrone point in the tenth minute, but two minutes later Billy McLoughlin put his team further, ahead with a goal which keeper Landy seemed to have covered. Another point from a close in free by Paddy McLouglin followed and Shinrone's only reply was a Noel McMahon point in the 18th minute. Jim Bulger (0-1) and a goal by Billy McLoughlin almost at the call of time saw Ballyskenach good and worthy winners.
Teams
BALLYSKENACH: J. Dooley, J. Bulger, P. Dooley, D. Walsh, S. Keeshan, G. Kirwan, J. Keeshan, P. McLoughlin, N. Delaney, R. Franks, B. McLoughlin, E. Franks, T. Kirby, P. Franks, S. Hogan. Sub., J. Ormonde for T. Kirby.
SHINRONE: John Lacidy, T. Hoctor, D. Burke, A. Grant, D. Mullally, T. Maher, T. Fitzgerald, A. Hoctor, F. Maher, A. Enright, , Joe Landy, S. McGee, N. McMahon, B. Feehan, G. Carroll. Subs.: E. Hoare for T. Hoctor, T. Hoctor for Joe Landy.
Referee: Mr. M. O'Connor (Athlone)
Footnote
it is surely only proper that a team competing in senior championship should
be numbered properly. Ballyskenach played on Sunday without numbers on their
jersies and while Shinrone had numbers they might as well have not had them
at all, as very few pIayers wore the correct positonal Jersey.