Offaly S.H.C. Group 2 Rd. 4
Ballyskenach 2-17 ....... Tullamore 1-12
DESPITE the absence of key players Donal Golden and 1998 All-Ireland medallist Cathal Murphy, Ballyskenach proved to be far too strong for Tullamore in this final match of Group 2 of the Offaly S.H.C. which was played last Sunday evening in St. Rynagh's Park, Banagher.
This win ensured that Ballyskenach maintained their unbeaten record in the championship. They recorded victories over Kinnitty, Shinrone and Tullamore, while they drew with Lusmagh.
And this Saturday Ballyskenach meet Kilcormac/Killoughey in the quarter-final of the S.H.C. and no doubt they will be aiming to create an upset.
There was practically nothing at stake in last Sunday's contest (Tullamore were already out of the championship, while Ballyskenach were through to the quarter-finals regardless of the outcome), thus there was a very small crowd of approximately 100 in attendance.
Surprisingly, the sides were evenly matched up to half-time, with Ballyskenach retiring to the dressing room with a 2-5 to 0-10 lead.
By the 38th minute 'Skenach were leading by two points 2-8 to 0-12 and Tullamore looked to staging something of a revival, however, the 'Blues' faded away and folded under an avalanche of points by their opponents.
Interestingly, both of Tullamore's second half points came from placed balls, a '65 and a free, and their goal which came in the 59th minute, was their first score in 21 minutes. Those statistics tell their own tale.
Ballyskenach will hold no fears for Kilcormac/Killoughey and while they defeated Tullamore by eight points they still have plenty of room for improvement. Indeed, they hit 16 wides last Sunday and that is something they must improve upon.
Proceedings got underway in a very mediocre fashion with both teams striking a number of wides before Tullamore's P.J. Martin opened the scoring with a point in the 10th minute. John Dooley replied with an equaliser from a free and Noel Murphy, who featured prominently at centre forward throughout, added two more points to give Ballyskenach a 0-3 to 0-1 lead. P. Kelly hit back with a point for the 'Blues'.
On the quarter hour mark Ballyskenach grabbed their first goal. Bill Lalor intelligently knocked the sliotar into the path of David Carney and he took off on a great solo run before driving a powerful shot past Derek Larkin. Two Damien Fox points (one from a free) brought Tullamore back into contention, but Brendan Murphy hit back with a point for Ballyskenach leaving the score at 1-4 to 0-4 in their favour.
Tullamore then hit a purple patch and by the 25th minute they had registered four points in succession per P.J. Martin, Damien Fox (free), Mick Mackey and Mark Gallagher and that gave them the lead - 0-8 to 1-4 - for the first time since the 10th minute.
In the 28th minute Ballyskenach regained the initiative. David Franks dropped in a long range free around the small square and when it broke Bill Lalor blasted the sliotar to the net. Tullamore replied with two points from Damien Fox to level the match at 0-10 to 2-4, but Ballyskenach's Brendan Murphy pointed just before the interval to give his team the advantage.
Within five minutes of the re-start Ballyskenach had stretched their lead to four points - 2-8 to 0-10 - after John Dooley (2) and Peter Murphy hit the target. Tullamore's Mark Gallagher was denied a goal by the bravery of 'Skenach netminder Tom O'Toole at the expense of a '65 which Damien Fox pointed. Fox added a pointed free in the 38th minute as Tullamore seemed to be getting back into it, but unfortunately for them they didn't raise another white flag afterwards.
Ballyskenach went on to take complete control. John Dooley, David Franks and Dooley (from a '65) scored points to make it 2-11 to 0-12. P. Kelly forced Tom O'Toole into making another good save before Noel Murphy (3), Brendan Murphy and Barry Keeshan fired over points and left Ballyskenach in a commanding position, leading 2-16 to 0-12.
In the 59th minute Damien Fox netted a consolation goal for Tullamore after being set up by Mick Mackey and Mark Gallagher, but fittingly it was Ballyskenach who had the final say with a point by Noel Murphy.
Ballyskenach had fine performers in Noel Murphy who scored six points at centre forward marking Kevin Martin, while Brendan Murphy and John Dooley also showed a good eye for the target. In Ballyskenach's rearguard their best players were Eugene Kirwan, Mark Kirwan and Barry Keeshan.
For a Tullamore team that performed disappointingly in this year's championship, John Rouse, Andy Hoctor, Tom Cusack, Damien Fox and P.J. Martin tried hard.
BALLYSKENACH: Tom O'Toole; Eugene Hannon, Mick O'Hara, Ollie Ryan; Liam O'Toole,
Mark Kirwan, Barry Keeshan (0-1); David Franks (0-1), John Dooley (0-5, 0-2
frees, 0-1 '65); David Carney (1-0), Noel Murphy (0-6), Brendan Murphy (0-3);
Bill Lalor (1-0), Eugene Kirwan, Peter Murphy (0-1).
Subs.: Derek Middleton for Eugene Kirwan, (50 mins) and John Gunnell for David
Carney, (56 mins).
TULLAMORE: Derek Larkin; Ciaran McNeill, John Rouse, Paul Rouse; Alan Martin, Kevin Martin, Tom Cusack; Andy Hoctor, P. Kelly (0-1); Mark Gallagher (0-1), Mick Mackey (0-1), Damien Fox (1-7, 0-4 frees, 0-1 '65); Nigel Mannion, P.J. Martin (0-2), Edwin Finnerty.
REFEREE: Martin Walsh, Birr.