Offaly Junior Hurling' A' Final
Ballyskenach
simply overwhelmed 14 man Carrig & Riverstown to capture the Bank of Ireland
Offaly Junior Hurling' A' title in impressive fashion at Lusmagh on Sunday afternoon
last. The favourites lived up to their tag as they stamped their authority on
the proceedings from an early stage and proceeded to give an exhibition after
that.
Carrig & Riverstown's cause wasn't helped by the sending off of Billy Delahunty after only eight minutes of play. Delahunty got his marching orders after swinging on a high dropping ball in the midfield area which resulted in Ballyskenach's Eugene Kirwan having to leave the field with his head heavily bandaged.
Even if they had their full complement for the 60 minutes it is unlikely that Carrig & Riverstown would have been able to prevent a Ballyskenach victory. The winners played some great hurling and picked off some lovely scores. The final margin might have been a bit closer if Carrig & Riverstown had 15 men, but not close enough to deny Ballyskenach.
The
damage was done in the first half. A goal after seven minutes set Ballyskenach
on their way and although Carrig & Riverstown had lost a man they threatened
to make a match of it when they goaled themselves after 12 minutes. However
this was to be no 14 man fairy tale. A brace of goals in the 21st and 23rd minutes
was followed by a string of points as Ballyskenach built up a 3-7 to 1-0 interval
lead.
It took Ballyskenach a while to get going again in the second half but in the final quarter they began to find the range again as they fired over the points to pile on the misery for Carrig & Riverstown.
Carrig & Riverstown didn't deserve to lose by so much. They showed plenty of fighting spirit and courage but they were unable to break down a resolute Ballyskenach rearguard. Circumstances dictated that they had to try for goals in the second half as they were so far behind but Tomas O'Toole wasn't seriously tested. The Carrig & Riverstown forwards just couldn't find the range and despite having the wind failed to score in the second half.
John Dooley played a real captain's part for Ballyskenach scoring 2-7 of his side's total, which was a very impressive tally. Padraig McLoughlin weighed in with five fine points from play and between them they accounted for the bulk of their side's total.
Ballyskenach didn't really exploit their extra man. Corner back Eugene Hannon was given the free role and he effectively operated as a sweeper behind the full back line, picking up a lot of loose possession and clearing it.
With plenty of young players on the side, Ballyskenach have the potential to do well in the intermediate ranks next year. They were well balanced, could take their scores well and had a solid defensive unit.
While they are mainly a young side, they had the experience of 54 year old inter county referee Gerry Kirwan at full back and he certainly didn't look out of place in this encounter and played his part in capturing Ballyskenach's first junior title since 1977.
Ballyskenach have been knocking at the door at this level over the last four or five years and now their young players are beginning to mature and blossom into a fine side. Carrig & Riverstown were contesting their first final in a number of years and they too have a number of young players. They can take heart from Ballyskenach who suffered a number of heart breaking defeats in recent years before coming through to capture the title this year. Carrig & Riverstown should use this experience to spur themselves on to greater efforts next year when they should be back in the running for honours again.
Ballyskenach had to line out without full forward Donal Golden, a victim of 'flu. John Dooley moved to full forward and Bill Lalor came in at right half forward.
Both sides registered early wides before Ballyskenach opened the scoring with a goal after seven minutes. Ollie Ryan sent a high ball into goalmouth and John Dooley moving across the square flicked the ball past Leonard Deane to the net.
Just after this Billy Delahunty was sent off and after 11 minutes Ballyskenach stretched their lead when John Dooley collected a pass from Peter Murphy and pointed.
Carrig & Riverstown got their goal after 12 minutes. Ger Oakley sent the ball goal wards where it came to James Hoctor. His first shot was saved and he sent the rebound to the net from a narrow angle for a fine goal. At this stage it looked as though Carrig & Riverstown were going to rise to the occasion in adversity but it was not to be.
Ballyskenach didn't really settle into the game until well into the second quarter. They still only led by a point after 18 minutes but they went on a scoring spree between that and half time to put the game out of Carrig & Riverstown's reach.
Padraig McLoughlin started it off with two good points from play. In the 21st minute John Dooley grabbed his second goal of the game. Bill Lalor and Padraig McLoughlin set it up and Dooley went on a run before firing a great shot to the net. Two minutes later Padraig McLoughlin crossed a ball low from the left and Aidan Franks came in and pulled on it first time to send it flashing to the net. Further points followed from John Dooley (a '65'), Padraig McLoughlin, Noel Murphy and John Dooley again to leave Ballyskenach 3- 7 to 1-0 ahead at the interval.
Early wides followed in the second half before Noel Murphy opened the scoring after six minutes when he made a fine catch from a free and shot a good point. The crossbar, a clearance off the line and desperate defence prevented a further Ballyskenach goal in a hectic scramble in the goalmouth. Points from a John Dooley free and another one from Bill Lalor after taking a pass from Donal Franks stretched the lead to 3-10 to 1-0 midway through the half.
Ballyskenach began to find the range again in the final quarter. Noel and Peter Murphy combined to set up Bill Lalor for another point. John Dooley hit the target twice in succession from frees and Padraig McLoughlin pointed from play. The same duo appropriate got the last two scores, Dooley from another free and McLoughlin after another move involving Noel and Peter Murphy to give their side a comprehensive 22 point victory.
Gerry Kirwan can be pleased with his hour's play at full back. The halfback line of Liam O'Toole, Cathal Murphy and Donal Franks cut off many of Carrig & Riverstown's attacks. Ollie Ryan did well in the middle of the field where he was joined by the effective Noel Murphy. John Dooley and Padraig McLoughlin did most of the damage in attack, while Bill Lalor also took his scores well.
Leonard Deane made some good saves in the Carrig & Riverstown goal. Paul Ryan, Kevin Carey and Denis Hoctor fought hard in defence. John Oakley and Pat Hoctor tried hard at midfield without much success, but the attack never really got into the game at all.
Scorers:
Ballyskenach; John Dooley (2-7, 0-4 frees, 0-1 '65'), Padraig McLoughlin (0-5),
Aidan Franks (1-0), Noel Murphy and Bill Lalor (0-2 each).
Carrig & Riverstown; James Hoctor (1-0)
BALLYSKENACH: Tomas O'Toole; Eugene Hannon, Gerry Kiran, Michael Ryan; Liam O'Toole, Cathal Murphy, Donal Franks; Eugene Kirwan, Ollie Ryan; Bill Lalor, Noel Murphy, Peter Murphy; Aidan Franks, John Dooley, Padraig McLoughlin.
Subs. Philip McLoughlin (for Eugene Kirwan, 10 mins), Ger Mullally (for Bill Lalor, 51 mins), Donie Wade (for Tomas O'Toole, 57 mins).
CARRIG & RIVERSTOWN: Leonard Deane; Teddy Long, Willie Ryan, Paul Ryan; Kevin Carey, Denis Hoctor, Michael Hoctor; John Oakley, Pat Hoctor; Ger Oakley, Billy Delahunty, Liam O'Brien; Martin Cashin, James Hoctor, Edmund Brady.
Subs. Tadgh Carey (for Teddy Long, 44 mins), John King (for Michael Hoctor, 48 mins).
REFEREE: Pat Horan (St Rynagh's).