1995 - Intermediate Championship

Ballyskenach are Crowned Champions for 2nd Time

Report by: Alan Walsh

BALLYSKENACH'S meteoric rise in hurling continued on Sunday last when they defeated Killeigh/Raheen in the intermediate championship final before a very large crowd at a windswept Lusmagh venue. At the beginning of 1994, Ballyskenach were like any other junior club in the county, just hanging in there and dreaming of glory, but how things have changed in two years as they will join the senior ranks in '96.

This dramatic transformation just didn't come overnight. Eight of Sunday's victorious team, not to mention a number of subs, played pivotal roles in bringing the Minor Hurling . A' title to the club for the first time in 1991, while in '92 they were unfortunate to be pipped by a talented St. Brendan's team in the U-21 county final. At the beginning of '94, Paddy Kirwan was appointed manager of the junior hurling team - they haven't lost a championship match since, cruising to junior success and clinching the intermediate crown for the first time since 1979. Now, that is progress!

Overall, Sunday's final wasn't of memorable proportions and a stiff wind spoiled the issue. At half-time Killeigh/Raheen led 0-8 to 1--2. They should have been further ahead, but their forwards weren't firing on all cylinders and they paid the penalty. Only two of their attacking sextet got on the scoreboard. One of them, John Brady, managed to score more than once. The other score was notched by Paul Mulvehill. This is an indictment of Killeigh/ Raheen and is testament to the great defensive work of the winners. The North Offaly club didn't score in the second half until six minutes from fulltime.

Backed by the wind Ballyskenach turned it on in the concluding thirty minutes, outscoring their opponents by 1-9 to 0-2. As it happens, their seven points winning margin of 2-11 to 0-10 might have been much more, but for the exceptional goalkeeping of Philip Deering who pulled off two top drawer saves to deny Donal Golden.

Shaded The Duel

Tomas O'Toole hurled well between the posts and his lengthy puckouts, especially in the second half helped launch many Ballyskenach offensives. Eugene Hannon had a rare old battle with the towering John Brady and in the end just shaded the duel. John Kirwan, although playing with a heavily strapped right knee was very solid at full back. Liam O'Toole, after a shakey start, really opened up to play brilliantly in the second half. Donal Franks was a model of consistency and his vision in finding colleagues with passes was excellent.

Ollie Ryan did a power of work around midfield, while team captain John Dooley led his troopers by example. He was guilty of two or three bad misses in the first half, but his accuracy from dead ball situations and general play was one of the reasons why ‘Skenach were crowned champions. Peter and Noel Murphy have enjoyed better days.

Padraig McLoughlin took his scores well, and the goal was executed with great clinicism. Donal Golden was an excellent target man and gained plenty of possession ahead of Fintan Kelly. He scored two good points, and on another day he may have had two goals, but was denied by the brilliance of Philip Deering. Aidan Franks set up some good scores for his colleagues, while Philip McLoughlin made a lasting impression, although only on the field for little more than a minute.

Memorable Saves

Philip Deering was simply outstanding between the posts for Killeigh/Raheen and he pulled off two really memorable saves from Donal Golden. Pat Lanigan did well in their fullback line, while Fintan Kelly found it hard to cope with Golden's pace and physical presence. Right half back, Andy O'Grady played brilliantly throughout and he relieved much pressure off his inside backs. Paul O'Rourke, until being forced to retire injured late in the game, also did well.

Willie O'Connell worked like a trojan around the centre of the park and he certainly didn't let his side down. Upfront, Killeigh/Raheen never really got any sort of a momentum going and only two of their starting forwards - Paul Mulvehill and John Brady got on the scoresheet. Declan Gorman missed two good goal scoring opportunities, while Enda Daly tried hard but never looked like scoring. Aidan Deering did well following his introduction.

Wind assisted Killeigh/Raheen opened the scoring inside ninety seconds. A poor clearance from Ballyskenach's Liam O'Toole only went as far as Paul Mulvehill and he pointed. John Dooley equalised in the 5th minute following a good pass from Aidan Franks.

A minute later Andrew Brophy was off target with a goal chance for Killeigh/Raheen, while Donal Golden pointed at the opposite end for Ballyskenach. The South Offaly side didn't score again until the final minute of the half, although they did have some good chances, the best of which fell to Golden in the 19th minute, however, Killeigh/Raheen netminder Philip Deering pulled of a magnificent save to deny him.

Sides Tied

Willie O'Connell tied the match at 0-2 all as he converted a free from all of 75 yards following a foul on John O'Rourke. John Brady (2) and O'Connell (free) helped Killeigh/Raheen to a 0-5 to 0-2 advantage by the 17th minute. Five minutes later Brady converted another free after Declan Gorman had been fouled, while in the 24th minute there was some controversy as a blistering shot from Brady flashed across the face of the uprights and a point was signalled. The umpire hesitated to put up the flag, but despite furious Ballyskenach protests, the score stood.

Trailing by five points, Skenach struck for a vital goal with only thirty seconds to go to half-time. Padraig McLoughlin gained possession from a John Dooley sideline and he headed straight for goal and a blasted an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net. On the stroke of half-time John Brady converted a Killeigh/Raheen free to give his side an interval lead of three points - 0-8 to 1 -2.

Having played with such a strong breeze in the first half, three points was never going to be enough for Killeigh/Raheen to win the match and that is how it turned out. In fact, they only managed to notch their first score of the half in the 54th minute, whereas during that time Ballyskenach scored seven points without reply.

Within five minutes of the resumption points from John Dooley (2) and Padraig McLoughlin brought Ballyskenach back on level terms. In the 40th minute they forged ahead for the first time since the 8th minute and never looked back afterwards. Tomas O'Toole's long puck travelled in the wind as far as Donal Golden, and initially. it looked as though he lost possession, but he recovered well to point. Shortly after, Killeigh/Raheen netminder Philip Deering came to his side's rescue as he saved from Golden once again.

'Skenach Go Ahead

Points from John Dooley (2) and Peter Murphy helped Ballyskenach to a four points advantage (1-9 to 0-8) by the 51st minute. One of Dooley's points was especially memorable as he gained possession from a long O'Toole clearance, balanced the sliothar on his stick and in flight, without catching it, he hammered his shot over the bar. Killeigh/Raheen sub Aidan Deering notched his side's opening point of the half in the 54th minute after he accepted a pass from Enda Daly. John Dooley and Willie O'Connell exchanged points at either end from 65's as the issue remained finely balanced.

With only seconds remaining Aidan Franks restored Ballyskenach's four points lead with a good point and a minute into injury-time, sub Philip McLoughlin with his first touch, put the icing on the cake as he netted a fine goal. A long delivery upfield went beyond the entire Ki1leigh/Raheen full back line and McLoughlin was on hand to flick the sliothar over the advancing keeper's head.

It was the last action and Ballyskenach celebrated a famous seven points win and their visa to play in the senior hurling championship in 1996. It is a journey into the unknown for them, but one they'll certainly relish.

Scorers and Teams

Scorers: Ballyskenach -John Dooley (0-6, 0-2 65's, 0-1 free), Padraig McLoughlin (1-1), Philip McLoughlin (1--0). Donal Golden (0-2), Peter Murphy and Aidan Franks (0-1 each).
Killeigh/Raheen - John Brady (0-5, 0-3 frees), Willie O'Connell (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0--1 '65), Paul Mulvehill and Aidan Deering (0-1 each),

BALLYSKENACH: Tomas O'Toole; Eugene Hannon, John Kirwan, Michael Ryan; Liam O'Toole, Cathal Murphy, Donal Franks; Ollie Ryan, Eugene Kirwan; John Dooley (capt.) Noel Murphy, Peter Murphy; Aidan Franks, Donal Golden, Padraig McLoughlin.
Subs.: Philip McLoughlin for Peter Murphy, (59 mins), and Bill Lalor for Eugene Kirwan, (59 mins).

KILLEIGH/RAHEEN: Philip Deering; Niall O'Rourke, Fintan Kelly, Pat Lanigan (capt.); Andy O'Grady, Paul O'Rourke, John O'Rourke; Willie O'Connell, Dermot Plunkett; Andrew Brophy, Paul Mulvehill, Declan Gorman; John Brady, Enda Daly, Brian Deering.
Subs.: Aidan Deering for Dermot Plunkett, (38 mins), and Alan Berry for Paul O'Rourke, inj., (55 mins),

REFEREE; Dan Lawless. Kilcormac/Killoughey.

(Offaly Express September 30th 1995)

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