Semi-Final
Ballyskenach 1-14 ....... Birr 2-8
Ballykenach staged a great second half fightback to overturn an eight point deficit in a very exciting and keenly contested Intermediate Hurling Semi-Final at Rath on Sunday last.
Birr looked to be in a strong position when they led by 2-6 to 0-5 at half time, although they did have the advantage of the strong breeze. They were still five points up midway through the second half, but Ballyskenach put in a storming final quarter to secure their place in the final.
This was a game brimful of excitement and it was fought with great spirit and commitment. The result remained in the balance right up until the end. Ballyskenach’s decisive goal came with just three minutes remaining, but Birr launched a series of raids after that in an effort to snatch a draw but the they were repelled by the Ballyskenach rearguard.
Having won the Junior title last year, Ballyskenach are now on the brink of capturing the intermediate crown. Only Killeigh/Raheen stand in their way and Ballyskenach will probably go into that final with the favourites tag. They are a very young side but when the chips were down on Sunday they showed a lot of character to dig deep and haul Birr back.
Birr got off to a flying start with a goal and a point inside the first 90 seconds, but it was Ballyskenach’s ability to pick off points playing against the wind proved to be very important at the finish. That kept them in touch throughout most of the first half and then Birr got the boost of a fortuitous goal just on the stroke of half time which gave them a seven point interval lead.
Ballyskenach slowly began to get back into the game in the second half as Birr began to lose their grip. In fact Birr only scored two points after the interval and both of those came from frees. Ballyskenach made changes, bringing Tomas O’Toole out of goals and moving Liam O’Toole into attack and these worked to their advantage. They took over in the final quarter and with John Dooley punishing indiscretions by the Birr defence they worked their way back into the game. They levelled four minutes from the end and a minute later got the goal which decided the game.
Ballyskenach played with great heart and commitment and even though they were behind they never let their heads drop, There were signs all along that they could cause problems for the Birr rearguard and they finally began to fully exploit that in the second half.
Birr started well but they didn't build up a big enough advantage with the wind in the first half. They had done well at midfield in the first half but faded in the second half and didn't make changes in time. The attack was starved of possesion in the second half and it might haye been adviseable to bring a ball winner like Gary Hanniffy outfield sooner. Too many players were also too fond of running with the ball and they got caught in possession when a first time delivery to the attack would have been a better option.
Ballyskenach played well as a team when they got moving and they put some good moves together and took some good scores. They are a strong unit and will be-difficult to beat in the final.
Birr started well with a point from Gary Hanniffy and then the same player set up Brian Hogan for a well taken goal. Ballyskenach added a point from a John Dooley '65' but Hanniffy and Hogan stretched Birr's 1ead to five points. Padraig McLoughlin, Peter Murphy and John Dooley from a free brought Ballykenach back into contention as Birr went 16 minutes without a score, That ended with Kenneth Spillane pointed and then Ronan Joyce added two more, John Dooley pointed another free and then just before the break Gary Hanniffy gathered possession and soloed up the left and his shot went over the head of Tomas O'Toole into the far corner of the net to put Birr 2-6 to 0-5 in front at half time,
Hanniffy pointed a free three minutes after the restart but Ballyskenach then hit four points on the trot, two from John Dooley, one a free, and the others from Noel Murphy and Ollie Ryan to give them renewed confidence. Gary Hanniffy's pointed free after 15 minutes proved to be Birr's last score. John Dooley pointed three frees and Aidan Franks pointed from play before Donal Franks lofted over a point from midfield to bring the sides level. A minute later another long delivery from midfield broke kindly for Aidan Franks and he gave Brian Mullins no chance to secure Ballyskenach's place in the final.
Eugene Hannon, Michael Ryan and Donal Franks impressed in the Ballyskenach defence. Eugene Kirwan and Ollie Ryan got on top in midfield in the second half and John Dooley’s accuracy from frees was important in attacked where Peter Murphy and Noel Murphy also did well.
Brian Mullins was solid in goals for Birr and John Kirwan and Tony Murphy did well in defence. Louis Vaughan and Ollie Nolan started well at midfield but faded and in attack Gary Hanniffy, Brian Hogan and Ronan Joyce worked hardest.
Scorers: Ballyskenach: John Dooley (0-8 six frees, one ’65), Aidan Franks
(1-1), Padraig McLoughlin, Peter Murphy, Noel Murphy, Ollie Ryan and Donal
Franks (0-1) each.
Birr: Gary Hanniffy (1-4, 0-2 frees) Brian Hogan (1-1), Ronan Joyce (0-2),
Kenneth Spillane (0-1)
BALLYSKENACH: Tomas O’Toole, Eugene Hannon, John Kirwan, Michael Ryan: Liam
O’Too1e, Cathal Murphy, Donal Franks, Eugene Kirwan, Ollie Ryan, John Dooley,
Noel Murphy, Peter Murphy, Aidan Franks, Phllip McLoughlin, Padraig McLoughlin.
Sub. Bill Lalor (for Philip McLoughlin 47 mins),
BIRR: Brian Mullins: Darren Hanniffy, Ray Kelly, John Kirwan, Tony Murphy,
Frankie Pilkington, Barry Whelehan, Louis Vaughan, Ollie Nolan, Garreth Doorly,
Ronan Joyce, Brian Hogan, Alan Hennessy, Gary Hanniffy, Kenneth Spillane.
Subs. Declan Brady (for Darren Hanniffy 43 min), Shane Walsh (for Garreth
Doorley, 49 mins)
REFEREE: Simon McGlynn (Edenderry)