FORTY-five
years old super sub Jimmy Middleton looked as though he was going to be the
unlikely hero in this dire Offaly SHC Group 1 match at Lusmagh on Saturday.
Offaly SHC Group 1
Report by: Alan Walsh, Offaly Express
St. Rynagh’s 2-9 ....... Ballyskenach 1-10
FORTY-five
years old super sub Jimmy Middleton looked as though he was going to be the
unlikely hero in this dire Offaly SHC Group 1 match at Lusmagh on Saturday.
The Ballyskenach selector and uncle of half forward Derek Middleton was a half-time replacement for Tom O’Toole, and he bagged an opportunist goal in the 34th minute that gave the rank outsiders a 1-4 to 0-4 lead and as the match entered it’s final five minutes, the sides were deadlocked at 1-9 apiece, with the verdict likely to go either way.
As tension mounted, Brendan Murphy was wide for ‘Skenach when a point looked to be on the cards, and their brave, battling bid was finally extinguished in the 56th minute as St. Rynagh’s full forward Fintan Dolan, their most consistent player all year, drove a pile driver to the roof of Alan Franks’ net.
In fairness, it was a goal worthy of winning most matches, but particularly this one because it featured pathetic spells of sloppy play and anyone who paid £4 at the gate to see it must have been fairly cheesed off with the fare on offer.
It was 0-2 all after 19 minutes, and at 0-4 all by half-time, with Ballyskenach, who were trounced by Seir Kieran last time out, scoring just one point from play. Indeed, 0-7 of their 1-10 total came from frees, with Eugene Hannon, more noted as a defender, being their most impressive attacker. While they also suffered for the loss of Tom O’Toole.
Middleton’s opportunism sparked life into Ballyskenach, but by the 40th minute a scrambled goal by Declan Tanner regained the initiative for St. Rynagh’s, 1-7 to 1-6. Many expected the ‘Saints’ to pull away, but they simply weren’t able to do so, not until Dolan delivered the knockout punch four minutes from the full time whistle.
Padraig Horan’s St. Rynagh’s will now join Seir Kieran and Drumcullen in a three way play-off situation in Group 1, and while they are traditionally renowned for their toughness in do-or-die situations, struggling St. Rynagh’s will know themselves that they must improve enormously if they are to qualify for the knockouts.
Ballyskenach will be plying their trade in the weak group next year and the introduction of Jimmy Middleton shows just how strained their resources are. If he didn’t answer the call, then ‘Skenach would have used up a junior player, and as it is, they have just enough players to make up the full complement at that level also!
This is a situation typical of many rural clubs and it is a pity to see ‘Skenach struggling as two years ago, as a young, promising side, they were within a couple of scores of reaching the county final. Their fall has been dramatic, but injuries and transfers have robbed them of many key players.
St. Rynagh’s, too, have lost players, yet they’ve won two matches and they will have a big say yet. Nonetheless, it’s hard to replace the likes of Michael Duignan, Eunan Martin, Ger Rafferty, Roy Mannion and Micheál Conneely, although the latter two are starring for their intermediate side.
Fintan Dolan pointed for St. Rynagh’s in the 2nd minute, but by the 11th minute, following two converted frees by Tom O’Toole, Ballyskenach were 0-2 to 0-1 ahead. There was a lengthy delay as O’Toole and his marker Martin Hanamy received treatment for injuries. O’Toole, with a nasty head wound, remained where he was until the interval, while Hanamy was moved to have a stint at full forward.
Michael Rigney levelled matters at 0-2 all in the 19th minute, and Ballyskenach responded well with a converted free by O’Toole and a fine point by Pat Donnelly giving them a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage.
‘Skenach netminder Alan Franks stopped a point blank shot from Gary Healy, now at corner forward, in the 29th minute, before points in injury-time by Hubert Rigney (‘65) and Gary O’Connor saw the sides go in at half-time on level terms, 0-4 all.
On the resumption, Franks saved well from Fintan Dolan and then a Darragh Kelly shot came off the upright and crossbar, before going to safety. In the 34th minute, a shot by Brendan Murphy was stopped by Damien McDermott and as he went to clear his lines Jimmy Middleton was on hand to knock the sliothar to the net.
Michael Rigney and Fintan Dolan (free) hit back with points, before Bill Lalor (free) made it 1-5 to 0-6 in favour of Ballyskenach. Fintan Dolan and Eugene Hannon, after a great piercing solo run, exchanged points, 0-7 to 1-6, and in the 40th minute, St. Rynagh’s surged ahead for the first time since the opening minutes as Dolan and Healy helped get the sliothar towards Declan Tanner who somehow squeezed it to the net. Lalor (free) tied matters at 1-7 all.
Twice St. Rynagh’s went ahead, courtesy of Kevin Kelly and Dolan (free), but plucky Ballyskenach came back each time, thanks to Hannon and Lalor (free), 1-9 all. The decisive score came in the 56th minute. Gary Healy pulled on a loose ball, and Fintan Dolan gained possession ahead of Eoin Maher and unleashed a pile driver past Franks. Lalor (free) replied for Ballyskenach, but it simply wasn’t enough to save their hide.
There weren’t many performances of note. Fintan Dolan was a leading light in the Rynagh’s attack, finishing with 1-4 to his credit. Michael Rigney also picked off two good points. And in defence, experienced warriors Martin Hanamy and Hubert Rigney both sustained heavy knocks but they soldiered on determinedly to the end.
Alan Franks made some fine saves and Cathal Murphy did well at centre back for Ballyskenach. Brendan Murphy wasn’t as prominent as he was expected to be, while Eugene Hannon wasn’t afraid to run at defenders, especially in the second half when he was involved in every positive ‘Skenach attack.
ST. RYNAGH’S: Damien McDermott; Adrian Clancy, Martin Hanamy, Pat McIntyre;
Gary Healy, Hubert Rigney (0-1, ‘65), Nigel Woods; Declan Tanner (1-0), Emmett
Broderick; Gary O’Connor (0-1), Darragh Kelly (capt.), Michael Rigney (0-2);
Kevin Kelly (0-1), Fintan Dolan (1-4, 0-2 frees), Enda McHugh.
Subs.: Ray Devery for Enda McHugh, (26 mins) and Cathal Horan for Nigel Woods,
(44 mins).
BALLYSKENACH: Alan Franks; Ollie Ryan, Eoin Maher, Brendan Franks; Barry Keeshan,
Cathal Murphy, Mark Kirwan; Bill Lalor (0-4, all frees), Brendan Murphy; Derek
Middleton, Pat Donnelly (0-1), Eugene Hannon (capt., 0-2); Ciarán Kirwan, Tom
O’Toole (0-3, all frees), Eugene Kirwan.
Sub.: Jimmy Middleton (1-0) for Tom O’Toole, inj., (half-time).
REFEREE: Martin Walsh, Birr.