"It
would be unbelievable if we could go up and play Senior Hurling against the
likes of St Rynagh's and Birr,” Ballyskenach captain John Dooley admitted at
a training session on Friday night. The Ballyskenach Viewpoint By Dan Danaher
"It
would be unbelievable if we could go up and play Senior Hurling against the
likes of St Rynagh's and Birr,” Ballyskenach captain John Dooley admitted at
a training session on Friday night.
The Ballyskenach free-taker told the "Tribune” it would be a great achievement for such a small club to advance from Junior to Senior ranks in two years.
And despite Ballyskenach's lack of resources he believes the team has enough self-belief in their own ability to capture the Offaly Intermediate Hurling title.
"There is great self-belief in this team and we haven"t been beaten in the championship now for two years. Last year when we won the Junior title we knew we would more than hold our own at Intermediate level.
Hurling is a lot faster at Intermediate level but we knew we had a chance of getting to the final. It was a step into the unknown for us this year but all the lads know each other having played together at underage level which is a bid advantage.”
John Dooley admitted their victory over Birr in the Intermediate semi-final was a sweet one, It was their first time to defeat Birr at adult level and it eased the pain of losing two Offaly U-21 ‘A' Hurling finals, when they were combined with Shinrone at the hands of the townside.
He noted Ballyskenach were fortunate such a good bunch of hurlers graduated together up along the underage ranks and added this helped to build up teamwork and spirit.
"Everyone knows each other very well and there is never any bickering amongst the team, You are depending on the lad beside you and every player wants to play their part in order not to let the team down.”
John Dooley recalled the first time they believed they could actually win the competition was when they defeated St Rynagh's after being reduced to 14 men plus having to play against the wind in the second half.
He was impressed by Killeigh/ Raheen in the semi-final. The Ballyskenach captain explained their opponents looked very fit and physically strong and they turned on the style in the second-half as they defeated St. Rynagh's.
He also added their full-back line is very strong but was hopeful that on a dry day Ballyskenach's open fluent hurling might give them the edge provided they get the help of a few breaks.