1993 U-21 Hurling Championship Final
Reports Alan Walsh
A
superb team display in which they mixed flair, spirit and battling qualities
in copious quantities enabled St. Brendan's to claim their third U-21 Hurling
Championship title in four years as they defeated a tremendously dogged and
brave Ballyskenach outfit following a most exciting and pulsating decider.
Pairc CuI Doire was the venue on Sunday afternoon last and those spectators who ventured to Coolderry were not in the least disappointed with the fare on offer. It was a thrilling final laced with passages of brilliant hurling and for this both sides can take a deserved bow.
Although a torrential shower early on dampened proceedings a little, the tenacity and competitiveness of the on-field exchanges were maintained. Play swayed from end to end with fierce velocity as two finely balanced teams battled it out for ultimate honours and in spite of the intensity sportsmanship was always of the essence.
What a difference three weeks makes. St. Brendan's at that time had just relinquished their U-21 crown following a lethargic performance against Ki1cormaclKilloughey. Many critics were content to write off Brendan's but the Birr Parish side have now defiantly silenced their begrudgers with this latest success.
For St. Brendan's team trainer Paddy Kirwan it was his sweetest victory yet and a fine way to mark his departure from guiding this particular squad by plotting the downfall of his native club. Needless to say someone is going to try to persuade him to do different.
The pendulum swung to and fro in frantic fashion throughout the hour with the lead changing hands on no less than six occasions. Supreme domination was hard to come by as neither side wished to settle for second best.
Ballyskenach were first to gain control but St Brendan's resolutely hauled them back and an inspiring Conor McGlone goal gave the Saints the minimum advantage at the interval. On the rusumption Ballvskenach bombarded relentlessly down on their opponents reaping just reward as a Donal Golden goal gave them the lead.
Entering
the final ten minutes, the game hung tantalisingly on a tightrope with the scoreboard
reading 1-7 apiece. The tempo uplifted as both outfits came in quest of the
title. St Brendan's were first to make a breakthrough and they held on for dear
life as Ballyskenach bravely failed to concede. With thirty-four minutes played
in the concluding period the final whistle eventually sounded hailing Brendan's
as champs once again.
For Ballyskenach it was bitterly disppointing to lose in this fashion. They fought tooth and nail matching their conquerors in every sector at the pitch and with a bit of luck they could well have earned a replay. They were by no means over awed and with a big compliment of their players still underage for next year they will undoubtedly be in the shake up to win what would be for them a first U-21 championship.
As a team through the under-age ranks this St Brendan's squad failed to win a championship and for them it was a fabulous success. In the face of adversity they kept plugging away and they have been ultimately rewarded.
Within two minutes of the throw-in Ballyskenach's John Dooley raised two white flags, one from a free and the other from a '65'. Four minutes later Brian Hogan opened St. Brendan's account Midway through the half the sides were on level terms as Kenneth Spillane pointed delightfully. John Dooley quickly responded for the Black and Reds with two pointed frees.
Twenty-two minutes into the half Conor McGlone finished his surging run with a clinically kicked goal to give St Brendan's the edge. Oisin O'Neill two minutes before the interval knocked over a point to give St.Brendan's a 1-3 to 0-4 lead at the break.
Shane Walsh, introduced as a sub, bisected the posts a minute into the second half for St. Brendan's. Three minutes later Donal Golden repeated this ritual at the opposite end. Golden now began to apply himself and he causedSt. Brendan's all sorts of problems. He hammered home a sweet ground shot to his opponents net giving Ballyskenach the lead. John Dooley enhanced this further with a point.
Oisin O’Neill, from a '65', and Shane Walsh found the range to tie the match. John Dooley in the 18th minute pointed a free to bring his side to the fore but Oisin O'Neill soon cancelled this out. Liam Power and Oisin O'Neill both pointed with Donal Golden replying with a lone similar effort. Seven minutes from time Conor McGlone put between the uprights.
Trailing by two points Ballyskenach charged down on the Birr parish rearguard. Golden again threatened bringing the best out of St. Brendan's cushdian Robert Shiels. Those last few minutes seemed to be an eternity for St. Brendans. Two minutes into overtime Padraig McLoughlin reduced the arrears to a minimum but Oisin O'Neill gave his side the insurance score with a great point from an acutely angled free. Final Score: St. Brendan's 1-1l;Ballyskenach 1-9.
For St. Brendan's Robert Shiels gave a commanding and confident display of net minding. The St. Brendan's full back line, which was previously subjected to scathing criticism, redeemed itself thoroughly with all three of them, Darren Hanniffy, John Kirwan and Simon Whelhan acquitting themselves well. Conor Hanniffy was solid at half back whilst Johnny Carroll didn't have things all his own way against Donal Golden. Conor McGlone was in the thick of the action at midfield. Oisin O'Neill led his side by example, scoring a handsome five points in addition to making some relieving clearances at the finish. Shane Walsh, who was introduced at half time as a substitute, also made a very favourable impression.
Ballyskenach’s
netminder Bill Lalor didn't put a foot wrong the whole hour. Cathal Murphy and
Tomas O'Toole played commendably in their rearguard. John Dooley and Noel Murphy
did some trojan work in the middle of the park ensuring their forwards had a
bountiful supply. Donal Golden proved to be quite a handful at centre-forward.
Afterwards the Vice-Chairman of the County Board Mr. Brendan Byrne presented the Cup to St. Brendan's Captain Oisin O'Neill. He complimented the Coolderry club for their staging of the final and also the two teams who served up a wonderful game. Oisin O'Neill in his victory speech thanked his teams mentors Paddy Kirwan and Joe Errity. He commented that Ballyskenach may well have arrived a year before their time and said that they will be back next year.
Scorers: St. Brendan's: Oisin O'Neill (0-5, 1 free, 1 '65), Conor McGlone (1-1), Shane Walsh (0-2), Brian Hogan, Kenneth Spillane and Liam Power (0-1 each).
Ballyskenach: John Dooley (0-6, 4 frees, 1 '65'), Donal Golden (1-2), Padraig McLoughlin (0-1).
St. Brendan's: Robert Shiels; Darren Hanniffy, John Kirwan, Simon Whelehan; Conor Hanniffy, John Carroll, Conor Hogan; Brian Hogan, Conor McGlone; OisinO'Neill (capt), Liam Power, Kenneth Spillane; Alan Hennessy, Shane Hogan, John Pardy.
Subs: Shane Walsh (for Alan Hennessy, half-time), Kevin Carey (for Conor Hogan, 47mins.).
Ballyskenach: Bill Lalor; Eugene Hannon, Keith Russell, Ger Mullaly; Ray Treacy, Cathal Murphy, Tomas O'Toole; John Dooley (capt), Noel Murphy; Aidan Franks, Donal Golden, Liam O'Toole; Liam Flynn, Denis Egan, Padraig McLoughlin.
Referee: James Dooley (Coolderry).