Kilcormac/Killoughey 2-17 ....... Ballyskenach 1-6
The final scoreline may indicate that Kilcormac/Killoughey had it all their own way in their opening game in this year's Offaly Senior Hurling Championship, but in truth it was only in the final quarter that they put daylight between the sides as Ballyskenach faded badly following the concession of a soft goal.
It was a sharp reminder of the difference between intermediate and senior hurling for Ballyskenach. They have won junior and intermediate titles in successive years and this was their first game back in the senior grade but they will now be aware of the big step up in standards between those grades.
Although they won comfortably in the end Kilcormac/Killoughey will not be pleased with their performance. They missed far too many chances and their display was rather lacklustre. They eventually found the range in the final quarter when they shot ten points without reply to give them that big win.
The final margin was harsh on Ballyskenach. They had matched their opponents for three quarters of the game but they too were guilty of wasting good opportunities. Despite conceding an early goal they came back at K/K to reduce the gap to one point late in the first half. K/K moved 1-6 to 0-5 in front by the interval but a Ballyskenach goal eight minutes into the half left just two points in it again.
That was as close as they came, K/K goaled after 12 minutes and those ten points followed on after that to give them a winning start to the championship.
Both sides were guilty of some very careless shooting. They shot a combined total of 16 first half wides, equally shared, and by the finish they had shot 13 wides each.
On a bright sunny day in Rath, neither side could get a proper grip on the game in the opening half. There seemed to be a certain lack of urgency about the game and neither side seemed capable of lifting themselves and taking the game by the scruff of the neck.
The Ballyskenach defence did a good job in containing the K/K forwards in that first half and the inside line was particularly well held. John Rigney didn't get a shooting opportunity in that first half while Danny Owens was well held throughout the game. Rigney continued to find it difficult in the second half but ironically it was a shot of his which brought the goal which turned the game firmly in their favour. His shot from 25m was half blocked and goalkeeper David Franks let it go thinking it was going wide of the post but to his horror it rolled inside the post and into the net.
Both sides were short first choice players. Kilcormac/Killoughey were without Henry Kilmartin and David Gleeson while Padraig McLoughlin, Philip McLoughlin and Keith Russell were absentees for Ballyskenach.
Ballyskenach started well with a pointed free by John Dooley and a point from play by Noel Murphy. After five minutes Seamus Spain sent a dangerous ball in from the right and David Franks got his stick to it but was unable to prevent it entering the net. Ger Gleeson and Tony Spain added points to put them a goal clear. After Aidan Franks responded with a point both sides hit a string of wides before John Dooley cut the lead to the minimum from a free. Keith Lambe pointed for K/K but Dooley, again from a free, left a point in it once more. Late in the half two Seamus Spain frees and another point from Tony Spain left K/K 1-6 to 0-5 in front at half time.
Niall Hand stretched the lead early in the second half. Then after eight minutes John Dooley dropped a long free in the K/K goalmouth. It wasn't cleared and Kevin Franks finished the ball to the net. Ballyskenach were right back in it but disaster struck four minutes later with John Rigney's goal. K/K got on top after that. Ger Gleeson, Seamus Spain, Tony Spain and Keith Lambe quickly put nine points between the sides. They continued to press, two points from frees by Seamus Spain, two more from John Rigney and one each from Keith Lambe and Ger Gleeson left them well clear before Noel Murphy shot a late point for Ballyskenach, their only point of the second half.
Colm Cassidy, Fergus Gorman and Damien Barron hurled well in the Kilcormac/Killoughey defence. Seamus Spain worked tirelessly in the middle of the field while in attack Keith Lambe. Tony Spain and Ger Gleeson made a good impression.
Michael Ryan, Willie Smith and Tomas O'Toole put in a lot of effort in the Ballyskenach defence. Liam O'Toole won some good possession in midfield while in attack Noel Murphy. Aidan Franks and Kevin Franks worked hard.
Scorers: Kilcormac/Killoughey: Seamus Spain ( 1-5,0-4 frees). John Rigney (1-2). Ger Gleeson, Tony Spain, Keith Lambe (0-3 each), Niall Hand (0-1 ).
Ballyskenach: Kevin Franks ( 1-0), John Dooley (0-3 frees), Noel Murphy (0-2), Aidan Franks (0-1).
KILCORMAC/ KILLOUGHEY: Stephen Byrne; Colm Cassidy, Fergus Gorman; Seamus Kiely; Damien Barron, P.J. Murray, Paul Bracken; Shane Hand, Seamus Spain; Keith Lambe, Niall Hand, Tony Spain; Ger Gleeson, John Rigney, Danny Owens.
BALLYSKENACH: David Franks; Michael Ryan, Willie Smith, Eugene Hannon; Cathal Murphy, Tomas O'Toole, Donal Franks; Liam O'Toole, Ollie Ryan; John Dooley, Noel Murphy, Bill Lalor; Aidan Franks, John Kirwan, Kevin Franks.
Sub. Vinny Franks (for John Kirwan. 49 mins).
REFEREE: Pat Horan (St Rynagh's).