Ballyskenach minor hurlers wrote their names in the record books when they brought the Williams Waller Offaly minor hurling title back to the parish for the very first time with an eight point victory over Ferbane/ Belmont in an entertaining curtain raiser at St Brendan's Park, Birr on Sunday last.
Their success is all the more remarkable for the fact that they only won the Minor 'B' title a year ago and virtually the same panel of players has now come through to win the top title in the county.
The
winners led by 0-8 to 1-3 at the interval having playing with the advantage
of what wind was in it in that opening period. In the second half they soaked
up sustained Ferbane/Belmont pressure in admirable fashion before grabbing the
vital scores in the final ten minutes which killed off the brave challenge of
their opponents.
It was a game brimful of good hurling with some excellent individual performances. Ballyskenach were that little stronger all round and that was what proved decisive in the end. They were strong in the important areas, particularly in the middle, and they worked extremely hard for each other.
Ferbane/ Belmont must still be wondering how they failed to score in the second half. For almost 20 minutes they laid siege on the Ballyskenach goal but somehow were unable to engineer a single score. That was due to some careless shooting, a brilliant Ballyskenach defensive performance and a fine goalkeeping display by Tomas O'Toole.
Ballyskenach started extremely well with five points in the first seven minutes. They set-out showing that they really meant business and were very impressive in those opening exchanges. They didn't maintain that and Ferbane/Belmont came into it in the middle of the half and actually scored all bar a point of their final total in that middle ten minutes of the first half.
When Ferbane/Belmont levelled ten minutes before half time, Ballyskenach's early flourish had been negatived and the odds began to favour Ferbane/Belmont. Amazingly, though, Ferbane/Belmont failed to score during those final 40 minutes.
Despite that they were still in contention going into the final 10 minutes of the game as only three points separated the sides. But a goal and a point for Ballyskenach in quick succession ended all hopes for Ferbane/ Belmont and although they kept pushing forward right up until the last minute, they were unable to breach the Ballyskenach rearguard.
That Ballyskenach defence can stand up proudly and acclaim the part it played in this success. The backs were simply magnificent in the second half, no one more so that full back Keith Russell. Time and time again he plucked the ball out of the air, kept the Ferbane/Belmont forwards out and made great clearances. He was rock solid and was an inspirational figure for those around him.
If Ferbane/Belmont did get past him they came up against a very cool and assured goalkeeper in Tomas O'Toole. He was extremely sound under pressure, showed great control on the stick under dangerous dropping balls and cleared his lines competently whenever called upon.
Team captain Denis Doughan at centre half back was another towering figure in the Ballyskenach defence. He led his troops by example and his long clearances helped relieve the pressure on the defence. The other backs also played their part in keeping Ferbane/ Belmont at bay but these players stood out.
Ferbane/ Belmont tried everything they knew in that second half to try and force the breakthrough. For a long period Ballyskenach didn't pass the Ferbane/Belmont half back line and anything that came upfield was quickly returned again. The losers missed a couple of opportunities from frees and were also wide with a couple of other good chances and the longer they went without a score the harder it was becoming for them to get a score. They lobbed balls into the goal mouth, tried passing movements and soloing through, but Ballyskenach repelled everything.
They probably were inclined to look for goals in that second half when points would have been enough. The best chance they got fell to Cathal O’Rourke but he was denied by a very brave save by Tomas O’Toole. Towards the end they threw full back Shane Ryan and their other top players upfield in an effort to try and pull the game out of the fire but it was all to no avail. On the day they had to give way to a better team and Ballyskenach were deserving winners.
Taking
account of the rain and miserable conditions the two sides served up a fine
game of hurling. It was a credit to both sides and their mentors that they were
so well prepared for the game and were capable of producing such good hurling
in conditions far from suitable for hurling.
It was also heartening to see two of the lesser known clubs contesting the final. The minor championship has been dominated for too long by the more traditional clubs, particularly the strongholds of Birr and St. Rynagh’s, and it was great to see two new clubs, who had beaten the 'big guns' along the way, producing a game worthy of the final. Neither had won the title before Sunday and this defeat was Ferbane/ Belmont's second in three years. Hopefully they will be back and as they have been prominent at under 14 and under 16 level in recent years, the talent is there to come again.
However, Sunday was Ballyskenach’s day and one that will long be remembered by everyone in the parish.
They began well with a point from a Liam O’Toole free after a minute, which was instantly cancelled out by Paddy Dolan at the other end. John Dooley restored the lead for Ballyskenach and Peter Murphy, Liam O'Toole and Padraig McLoughlin all added points from play to leave it 0- 5 to 0-1 after just seven minutes.
Three minutes later Peter Moore doubled overhead on a high ball to send it flashing over the bar for a Ferbane/Belmont point. The lead was back to four points after 13 minutes when Liam O'Toole was on target from another free.
Six minutes later Nicholas Claffey made a good solo run and finished with a point and a minute later they were level. Good work by Peter Moore led to Paddy Dolan getting in a low cross and Cathal O’Rourke was on hand to send a ground shot crashing to the Ballyskenach net.
The pendulum appeared to have swung in Ferbane/Belmont's favour and it remained level until late in the half. Liam O'Toole pointed another free and then Padraig McLoughlin pointed after a cross from Peter Murphy to give them a two point interval advantage, 0-8 to 1-3. Ferbane /Belmont did have a narrow escape just before the whistle when another Liam O'Toole free hit the left half post, rolled along the goal line and was eventually cleared.
Two minutes into the second half Liam O'Toole was on target from another free but 19 more minutes were to elapse before either side scored again. There was no lack on action in between. Liam Flynn had a great chance for Ballyskenach but drove the ball wide. At the other end Cathal O'Rourke had a chance of a second goal but Tomas O'Toole advanced quickly to throw himself down to block the shot and keep his net intact. Ferbane/Belmont kept piling on the pressure but could not score.
Ballyskenach lifted the siege briefly after 21 minutes and in a rare attack won a free out on the right, which Liam O'Toole duly pointed. A minute later they were back again. Peter Murphy cut in from the right and sent a low ball into the goalmouth. John Dooley's shot was half blocked and John Ormond latched on to the ball to drive it to the net. It was effectively the clinching score. Ballyskenach did add a further point when Bill Lalor, just on as a sub, pulled first time on the ball over the bar to leave them eight points clear at the finish.
Tomas O'Toole in goals, Keith Russell, Cathal Murphy and Denis Doughan were prominent in an excellent defence. Liam O'Toole was the better of the midfield partnership while in attack Padraig McLoughlin was a constant thorn in the side of Ferbane/ Belmont, and got good assistance from John Dooley and Peter Murphy.
For Ferbane/Belmont Cathal Phibbs, Shane Ryan, Kenneth Claffey and Nigel Doorley battled hard in defence. James Grennan enjoyed some good moments at midfield and Nicholas Claffey, Cathal O'Rourke and Paddy Dolan tried their best in attack.
Scorers: Ballyskenach; Liam 0 'Toole (0-6, five frees), John Ormond (1-0), Padraig McLoughlin (0-2), John Dooley, Peter Murphy and Bill Lalor (0-1 each).
Ferbane/Belmont; Cathal 0 'Rourke (1-0), Paddy Dolan, Peter Moore and Nicholas Claffey (0-1 each).
BALLYSKENACH: Tomas O'Toole; John Doughan, Keith Russell, Martin Maher; Cathal
Murphy, Denis Doughan, Ray Treacy; Liam O'Toole, Noel Murphy; John Dooley, Peter
Murphy, Liam Flynn; Edmund Treacy, John Ormond, Padraig McLoughlin.
Subs. Aidan Franks (for Edmund Treacy), Shane O'Rourke (for Liam Flynn), Bill
Lalor (for Aidan Franks).
FERBANE/BELMONT: Declan Nugent; Cathal Phibbs, Shane Ryan, Joe Duffy; Sean
Egan, Kenneth Claffey, Nigel Doorley; James Grennan, Declan Murphy; Shane Gavin
Nicholas Claffey, Cathal O'Rourke; John Ryan, Peter Moore, Paddy Dolan
Sub. Colm Kenny (for John Ryan).