Sunday last was a historic day for Ballyskenagh GAA club when they deservedly won their first ever Cup at Senior Hurling, defeating Kilcormac/Killoughey by five points in the final of The O’Connor Cup in Kilcormac.
Played in ideal weather conditions the game was always competitive but never reached any great heights, with Ballyskenagh showing the greater hunger. K/K got off to the perfect start with a Paul Leonard goal after 90 seconds, however, they failed to capitalise on this and when Tomás O’Toole goaled for Ballyskenagh in the sixth minute the sides were level. The play was evenly contested for the next 20 minutes after which the sides were still level 1-3 each. However, in the closing five minutes of the half Ballyskenagh hit three unanswered points to lead by 1-6 to 1-3 at the break.
Inside five minutes of the restart K/K had edged in front with a goal and a point, the goal coming from Tony Spain. However again they failed to build on this score and with 13 minutes remaining the sides were level 1-9 to 2-6. The followed the games crucial score when Brendan Murphy goaled and from there to the finish there was to be no denying Ballyskenagh their moment of history.
The game’s opening score came after 90 seconds when a good K/K move along the left wing saw James Flynn and John Leahy combined to set up Paul Leonard for a well taken goal, Mark Hand was then wide with an effort from 45 metres, before parity was restored in the sixth minute. Brendan Murphy was fouled 20 metres out as he bore down on goal and Tomás O’Toole drove the resulting free to the net, just inside the left hand post for his sides opening score. Two minutes later Ballyskenagh were in front when Pat Donnelly sent over a good point. David Frank’s had a chance to extend his sides advantage, but was wide from a 45 metre free. K/K were back on level terms in the 13th minute when John Leahy pointed a free, after Mark Kirwan was penalised for over carrying. Tomás O’Toole and Leahy swapped pointed frees before O’Toole again edged Ballyskenagh ahead in the 21st minute. Colm Cassidy put the sides level for the 4th time in the game on 24 minutes. However, from the resulting puck out Brendan Murphy, who had just moved to the wing forward position, got possession and pointed. Pat Donnelly then set up Eoin Franks for another point and on the stroke of half time Tomás O’Toole pointed a free after Seamus Kiely had received a yellow card for a foul on Brendan Murphy to leave Ballyskenagh 1-6 to 1-3 ahead at the break.
Inside a minute of the restart Joey Wynne fired over a good point for K/K and three minutes later Alan Franks failed to control a Stephen Byrne free from his own 45 metre line and Tony Spain was on hand to send the sliotar to the back of the net to put K/K 2-4 to 1-6 in front. Kevin Rigney then received a yellow card for a wild pull and Tomás O’Toole made no mistake from the resulting free. John Leahy pointed a free to edge K/K back in front, but again O’Toole restored parity with a 40 metre free. With 15 minutes left John Leahy pointed a 65’ to again give his side a slender advantage. In the 47th minute Stephen Byrne gave a poor clearance straight to Tadgh Maher, who was fouled and O’Toole again did the necessary. Three minutes later Eugene Hannon made a great solo burst out of defence and passed inside to Brendan Murphy who sent past Byrne from an acute angel to put his side 2-9 to 2-6 in front. Tomás O’Toole pointed another ‘Skenagh free after a foul on himself. K/K’s final score came in the 52nd minute when Shane Hand sent over a might effort from 90 metres to leave just a goal between the sides. However, it was Ballyskenagh who finished the stronger and despite wides by Eoin Franks and O’Toole, they added further points from Tadgh Maher and O’Toole (f) to give them a deserved 2-12 to 2-7 victory.
Scorers: Ballyskenagh: Tomás O’Toole 1-8 (all frees) Brendan Murphy 1-1, Pat Donnelly 0-1, Eoin Franks 0-1, Tadgh Maher 0-1
K/K: John Leahy 0-4 (0-3f, 0-1 65’)Paul Leonard 1-0, Tony Spain 1-0, Colm Cassidy 0-1, Joey Wynne 0-1, Shane Hand 0-1
Ballyskenagh: Alan Franks, Ollie Ryan, Eugene Kirwan, Brendan Franks, Eugene Hannon, Mark Kirwan, Alan Middleton, Bill Lalor, David Franks, Derek Middleton, Pat Donnelly,, Ciarán Kirwan, Eoin Franks, Tomás O’Toole, Brendan Murphy. Subs: Eoin Maher for E Kirwan (inj) 26min, Barry Keeshan for D Middleton (28min), Tadgh Maher for C Kirwan (40min), Kenny Franks for Bill Lalor (58min)
Kilcormac/Killoughey: Stephen Byrne, Keith McConville, Seamus Spain, Seamus Kiely, Martin Murray, Shane Hand, James Flynn, Joey Wynne, Kevin Rigney, Colm Cassidy, Mark Hand, Mark Leonard, Tony Spain, Paul Leonard, John Leahy
Ref: Brian Gavin (Clara)
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