BALLYSKENACH
created one of the biggest upsets of the Offaly S.H.C. when they dumped a hotly
fancied Kilcormac/Killoughey side out of the title race at the quarter-final
stage in St. Rynagh's Park, Banagher last Saturday.
Offaly S.H.C. Quarter-final
Major upset as Kilcormac/Killoughey bow out
Ballyskenach 2-15 ....... Kilcormac/Killoughey 1-14 BALLYSKENACH
created one of the biggest upsets of the Offaly S.H.C. when they dumped a hotly
fancied Kilcormac/Killoughey side out of the title race at the quarter-final
stage in St. Rynagh's Park, Banagher last Saturday.
Few outside of Ballyskenach gave the "Weak Group" qualifiers a chance in the build-up to their meeting with the Double K's.
However, Ballyskenach, a small club situated on the Offaly/Tipperary border, who are in their 4th year in the senior championship since winning the 1995 Intermediate Final showed tremendous character to shape a deserved win and more importantly, a place in the semi-final where they meet St. Rynagh's.
Much was expected of Kilcormac/Killoughey this year, especially after their wins over Drumcullen, Coolderry and Seir Kieran in Group 1, but the optimism placed in them proved to be unfounded and it is certainly a case of going back to the drawing board for them.
At half-time Ballyskenach trailed by a single point 1-7 to 1-6, but when Peter Murphy rifled home their second goal in the 38th minute it gave them a new sense of confidence and a 2-8 to 1-9 lead. By the 43rd minute 'Skenach were four points to the good - 2-11 to 1-10 - and full value for it.
Kilcormac/Killoughey managed to reduce the arrears to two points thanks to Shane Hand frees, but Noel Murphy brought the cushion back up to three, and two more converted frees by Hand left only a single point separating the teams - 2-12 to 1-14 - with just three minutes remaining to the fulltime whistle.
It was at this stage that Ballyskenach showed their true mettle. Noel Murphy and John Dooley fired over points before a 21 metres free by Shane Hand was saved and Bill Lalor scored another Ballyskenach point to give them a four points win - 2-15 to 1-14.
While Ballyskenach will go into their semi-final as underdogs against 1998 county finalists St. Rynagh's they have nothing to fear and their victory over Kilcormac/Killoughey was even more sweet when one considers that it was achieved without the services of Donal Golden, who is a quality forward.
Ballyskenach play a nice brand of hurling and they won't lie down easily against St. Rynagh's, but nevertheless the Shannonsiders should be good enough to advance to the final.
Ballyskenach got off to a bright start and points by Brendan Murphy and David Franks (free) gave them an early lead. Kilcormac/Killoughey opened their account in the 8th minute with a Tony Spain point, before John Dooley made it 0-3 to 0-1 in Ballyskenach's favour.
Kilcormac/Killoughey moved in front after Shane Hand pointed a pair of frees and Henry Kilmartin, operating in an unfamiliar corner forward role, also scored a point. Noel Murphy then tied proceedings at 0-4 apiece in the 15th minute.
The Double K's opened up a lead of five points as Shane Hand converted two frees and another sailed to the net. In the 25th minute Ballyskenach also had some luck from a free when David Franks' strike went to the net and a point by defender Mark Kirwan brought them right back into the picture. Just before the break Mark Hand and Brendan Murphy exchanged points.
A pointed free by John Dooley within a minute of the resumption tied proceedings at 1-7 all, before Shane Hand and Dooley (free) scored points at either end. Shane Hand edged Kilcormac/Killoughey ahead - 1-9 to 1-8 - after he converted a 37th minute free, but a minute later Ballyskenach struck for the decisive score.
Noel Murphy showed great strength to solo in from the left wing and he gave a good pass to his brother Peter who drove the sliotar to the net past Stephen Byrne. Noel Murphy quickly added a point and this gave Ballyskenach a 2-9 to 1-9 lead, an advantage they weren't to relinquish.
Colm Cassidy replied with a 41st minute point for Kilcormac/Killoughey, but Ballyskenach were intent on keeping ahead and fine points by David Carney and Brendan Murphy gave them a four points lead - 2-11 to 1-10.
Shane Hand reduced the deficit to two points after he converted a brace of frees, but a 51st minute point by 1998 All-Ireland medallist Noel Murphy ensured that Ballyskenach stayed a goal clear.
Kilcormac/Killoughey managed to reduce the gap to the minimum - 2-12 to 1-14 - by the 57th minute after Shane Hand pointed two more frees in succession, but once again Ballyskenach showed the heart and courage to pull away as Noel Murphy and John Dooley fired over points.
In the final minute Kilcormac/Killoughey were awarded a 21 metre free and with a goal separating the teams Shane Hand had no other option but to shoot for a goal. His shot was stopped and the sliotar was cleared downfield to where Ballyskenach sub Bill Lalor gained possession and knocked over a point to give his team a four points win and their place in the semi-final against St. Rynagh's.
BALLYSKENACH: Tomas O'Toole; Eugene Hannon (capt.), Mick O'Hara, Ollie Ryan; Mark Kirwan (0-1), Cathal Murphy, Barry Keeshan; Liam O'Toole, David Franks (1-1, frees); Peter Murphy (1-0), Noel Murphy (0-4), Brendan Murphy (0-3); David Carney (0-1), John Dooley (0-4, 0-2 frees), Eugene Kirwan. Sub.: Bill Lalor (0-1).
KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY: Stephen Byrne (capt.); Ger Gleeson, Kevin Rigney, Mark Hennessy; Seamus Spain, John Moyles, Paul Bracken; Martin Murray, Shane Hand (1-10, 1-8 frees); Mark O'Brien, Mark Hand (0-1), Tony Spain (0-1); Paul Leonard, Niall Hand, Henry Kilmartin (0-1). Sub.: Colm Cassidy (0-1).
REFEREE: Brendan Keeshan, Shinrone.
