Ballyskenach 2-6 ....... Drumcullen 1-8
Dan Danaher Reports
Giant-killers Ballyskenach have continued their recent fairy tale rise all the way to the 1993 Offaly U-21 Hurling decider. In a nail-biting finish to a fiercely contested Offaly U-21 semi-final in Clareen on Sunday last Ballyskenach snatched victory from right under Drumcullen's noses thanks to a late flourish.
With just nine minutes remaining Drumcullen, who were five points in front, looked home and dry. But this year's surprise packets Ballyskenach had other ideas and came storming back with a fight back which simply stunned their opponents into submission.
When John Dooley reduced the deficit from a free Drumcullen still looked to have booked a place in the County final. Then Liam O'Toole sparked off a revival when he blasted the ball through a packed goalmouth for a superb goal. Padraig Mcloughlin gave Ballyskenach further hope when he grabbed the ball from the puck-out to send it straight between the posts.
And it was perhaps appropriate that Liam O'Toole should fire over a splendid long rage point for the all important winner. Drumcullen were given a golden opportunity to salvage a draw when they were awarded a close in free.
However, it was not to be their day as Tony Ryan shook his head in despair as he mis-hit the resulting free just before the final whistle. Losing two U-21 semi-finals (1992 and '93) in two consecutive Sundays was a bitter pill to swallow for the Drumcullen contingent.
As Ballvskenach greeted their slender win with a huge roar of approval Drumcullen were left to pick up the pieces after what could only be escribed as a shattering defeat. The disappointment of the players was palpable and who could blame them when the least they deserved was a draw.
Although Ballyskenach had a large share of good fortune even Drumcullen will not begrudge them this exciting success. Most teams would cave in if they found themselves trailing by 1-4 to 0-1 after the first quarter but this Ballyskenach XV is made of sterner stuff.
The commitmnent and spirit of every player was a joy to watch as they gradually whittled down the lead. And even when Ballyskenach found themselves five points in arrears with only nine minutes remaining they refused to panic and kept plugging away.
This year Ballyskenach were considering entering the U-21 'B' championship because of their difficulty in fielding a team. Last Sunday for example they were forced to do without two of their first choice players Donal Golden, who is now playing with Athlone Town, and Peter Murphy. On the basis of this display the County final will hold no fears for Ballyskenach. With the bulk of the side that won the Offaly Minor Hurling 'B' title three years ago and the Minor 'A' title a year later at their disposal, they could yet surprise patrons by going all the way. This tie was the perfect answer for those who advocated abolishing the U-21 championship. It was a contest laced with good, hard, tough hurling, tremendous commitment on both sides and an exciting finish.
John Dooley opened the winner's account with a fine point from play. Drumcullen, who had the benefit of a stiff breeze hit back by registering 1-4 without reply. Tony Ryan started the mini-scoring spree when he converted a placed ball with Raymond Quegan and Eoin Lyons also finding the target.
And Drumcullen were simply coasting when Raymond Quegan followed up on a well taken goal with a superb point from an acute angle near the sideline. In the twentieth minutes Ballyskenach bounced back into the reckoning after Padraig Mcloughlin steered a close in free to the back of the net.
The same player raised a white flag three minutes later before Gavin Nugent pointed to earn Drumcullen a 1-5 to 1-2 interval lead. On resuming Drumcullen raised their game with two points on the trot from Raymond Quegan. The game seemed to be slipping away from Ballyskenach who had made numerous switches in an attempt to halt the slide.
They did keep in touch as Tomas O'Toole found the target. In the forty-third minute Tony Ryan edged Drumcullen further in front by pointing a free. Little did Drumcullen realise they would fail to score for the last seventeen minutes.
Cathal Murphy was fortunate not to receive his marching orders when he knocked Drumcullen's Aidan Mannion with a late pull as the two players raced over the sideline in an effort to keep the ball in play. This marked a dramatic turn about in the pattern of the game. Incensed by this ill-timed accidental stroke, Drumcullen allowed indiscipline to creep into their game and conceded a succession of frees which were punished by the winners. The Drumcullen attack simply wilted when it mattered most in the final quarter.
They over relied on Tony Ryan and Raymond Quegan for the bulk of their scores while they were thwarted time and time again by some determined defending by Ballyskenach. Drumcullen lacked a leader up front. Tony Ryan, who has gained experience with the Senior side, wasn't as influential as he had been the previous Sunday but he wasn't helped by the constant shouts of encouragement from a few over enthusiastic club mentors.
Ballyskenach placed more emphasis on teamwork and creating understanding amongst players while their policy of adopting direct hurling reaped dividends in the end. Bill Lalor looked confident between the posts for them with Keith Russell, Cathal Murphy and substitute Eugene Hannon excelling in a very solid BalIyskenach defence.
Noel Murphy and John Dooley held a slight edge over their counterparts in midfield while Liam O'Toole, Padraig McLoughlin and Denis Egan worked hard in their attack.
Backboned by Paul Mannion, Pierce Gath and Mark Ryan Drumcullen didn't give away too much in their rear guard. Aidan Mannion impressed, especially when he moved to midfield. Gavin Nugent, Tony Ryan and Raymond Quegan tried hard throughout.
Scorers: Ballyskenach: Padraig Mcloughlin (1-2, one free), LiamO'Too]e(1-1), John Dooley (0-2, one free), Tomas O'Toole (0-1).
Drumcullen: Raymond Quegan (1-4), Tony Ryan (0-2, one free), Eoin Lyons and Gavin Nugent (0-1 each).
BALLYSKENACH: Bill Lalor; Martin Maher, Keith Russell, Ger Mullally; Liam Flynn, Cathal Murphy, Michael Murphy; Noel Murphy, John Dooley; Aidan Franks, Tomas O'Toole, Liam O'Toole; P.I. Mullally, Denis Egan, Padraig Mcloughlin. Sub: Raymond Treacy, 25 mins (for P.I. Mullally), Eugene Hannon, 40 mins (for Martin Maher).
DRUMCULLEN: Kieran Dooley; Larry Guinan, Paul Mannion, Ger McIntyre; Mark Ryan, Pierce Gath, Aidan Mannion; Gavin Nugent, Declan Murray; Donal Mannion, Tony Ryan, Enda Reddan; Fran Reddan, Eoin Lyons, Raymond Quegan. Sub: Richie Bennett, 19 mins (for Fran Reddan).
REFEREE: Martin Walsh (Birr).