Ballyskenach
made history in St. Brendan's Park, Birr on Sunday last, when they claimed their
first ever minor. A' hurling title.
by COLM KINSELLA
Ballyskenach
made history in St. Brendan's Park, Birr on Sunday last, when they claimed their
first ever minor. A' hurling title.
On a day more condusive to water polo than hurling a well drilled Ballyskenach side proved too strong for a brave Ferbane/ Belmont combination.
The incessant rain made the under foot conditions very difficult, but despite this the game was always interesting. Ballyskenach had many heroes, but goalkeeper Thomas O'Toole was in fine form between the posts while captain Denis Doughan was in inspirational from at his pivotal centre back position. Ballyskenach's victory is all the more notable when one considers that last year they were playing in the 'B' division and also for the fact that they overcame more illustrious opponents like Birr and Kinnitty on the road to success.
THE PLAY
Ace free taker Liam O'Toole opened Ballyskenach's account in the first minute from a placed ball for it only to be cancelled out by a Paddy Dolan score from play. Ballyskenach hit a purple patch in the next five minutes when they notched four points from John Dooley, Peter Murphy, Liam O'Toole (free) and from the stylish corner forward Padraic McLoughlin from a difficult angle. Ballyskenach now led by O5 to 0-1 and were on top at mid thanks to the hard working partnership of Liam O'Toole and Noel Murphy. Peter Moore for Ferbane and Liam O'Toole (free) exchanged points in the eleventh and fourteenth minutes to leave Ballvskenach 0-6 to 0-2 ahead.
Ferbane/Belmont were now beginning to settle and were rewarded when centre forward Nicholas Claffey pointed following a good run. Ferbane/Belmont surged upfield again from the puck out and when the ball reached the full forward line Cathal O'Rourke was on hand to send a smashing ground shot to the net.
Ballyskenach held their heads well and a Liam O'Toole pointed free followed by a Padraic McLoughlin point had Ballyskenach ahead by 0-3 to 1-3 at the interval.
On the resumption it was Ballyskenach who were quickest into their stride and mid fielder Lima O’Toole pointed yet another free to leave some daylight between the the teams. Ferbane did everything in their power to rally from behind but they were always fighting a rearguard action.
DOMINANT FIGURE
Ballyskenach's captain Denis Doughan was the best player on view and he was the launch pad for many of his sides attacks. He was also responsible in no small way for the fact that Ferbane/Bemont failed to raise a flag in the second half. Following a barren spell in which no score was registered between the second and twentieth minutes, Ballyskenach finally killed this game as a contest in the closing eight minutes, thanks to points from Liam O'Toole (free), one from inspriational substitute Bill Lawlor and a beautifully worked goal that was finished by John Ormond. This left Ballyskenach comprehensive winners on a score line of 1-11 to 1-3.
17 HEROES
For Ballyskenach all 17 players played their part, but Thomas O'Toole, Keith Russell, Denis Doughan, Liam O'Toole, Peter Murphy, John Dooley and Padraic McLoughlin gave especially outstanding displays.
Ferbane/Belmont battled bravely throughout and only ran out of steam in the final quarter. For them Shane Ryan, Kenneth and Nicholas Claffey and Nigel Doorley were especially prominent.
Scorers: Ballyskenach; L. O'Toole 0-6 (frees), J. Ormond (1-0), P. McLoughlin
0-2, J. Dooley 0-1, P. Murphy 0-1, B., Lawlor 0-1.
Ferbane/Belmont; C. .O'Rourke -1-0, P. Dolan 0-1, P. Moore 0-1, N. Claffey 0-1.
Ballyskenach: T. O'Toole, J. .Doughan, K. Russell, M. Maher, C. Murphy, D.
Doughan (capt), R. Treacy, L. O'Toole, N. Murphy, J. Dooley, P. Murphy, L. Flynn,
E. Treacy, J. Ormond, P. McLoughlin.
Subs: A. Franks for S. Gavin; S. O'Rourke for L. Flynn
Ferbane/Belmont: D. Nugent, C. Phibbs, S. Ryan, J. Duffy, S. Egan, K. Claffey,
N. Doorly, J. Grannor, D. Murphy, S. Gavin, N. Claffy, C. O’Rouke, J. Ryan,
P. Moore, P. Dolan.
Subs: C. Kenny for J. Ryan