Ballyskenagh remain on course for a quarter final spot after this hard earned
two point win over Kinnitty in their crucial Senior Hurling Championship game
played in St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Saturday evening last.
Ballyskenagh remain on course for a quarter final spot after this hard earned
two point win over Kinnitty in their crucial Senior Hurling Championship game
played in St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Saturday evening last.
The winners seemed to be in control of the game early on, thanks to goals from Eoghan Franks and Derek Middleton, which saw them lead 2-4 to 0-4 after 16 minutes. But Kinnitty kept in touch, thanks mainly to the accuracy of Richie McRedmond from placed balls and the deficit was down to four points by the break 2-7 to 0-9.
A Fergal Kealey goal in the 33rd minute gave the game the injection it needed and from there to the finish it was anyone’s game, but Skenagh thanks mainly to the point scoring of David Franks and Brendan Murphy who hit nine points from play between them maintained their 100% record in the group.
Fergal Kealey opened the scoring for Kinnitty in the first minute with a point from play. However, inside two minutes Ballyskenagh had hit back with the games first goal. A long range free out of defence by Mark Kirwan broke into the path of Eoin Franks and he first timed the sliotar to the back of Liam Bergin’s net. Kinnitty were back on level terms by the 6th minute thanks to two pointed frees by Richie McRedmond, both resulting from fouls on Fergal Kealey. David Franks edged Ballyskenagh back in front with the first of his four points from play and John Dooley then pointed a 45 metre free after Brendan Murphy had been fouled.
Skenagh’s second goal arrived in the 12th minute and was almost a replica of the first. Again Mark Kirwan delivered a long range free in around the Kinnitty square and this time Derek Middleton was quickest to react firing a ground shot to the net. Brendan Murphy followed up with a point from play and Kinnitty looked to be in real trouble trailing by 2-3 to 0-3. Richie McRedmond pulled a point back with a 45 metre free, but this was quickly cancelled by a David Franks point from play. Mick Molloy and Tadgh Maher traded point sin the 17th and 20th minutes respectively, as did Richie McRedmond (f) and Brendan Murphy in the 22nd and 24th minutes. McRedmond was again on target from a placed ball in the 25th minute and again Brendan Murphy replied with a point for Ballyskenagh. Points by Mark Robinson and Richie McRedmond in the 29th and 30th minutes had the deficit down to four points. Eoin Franks responded with a point for ‘Skenagh and Fergal Kealey closed the first half scoring with a Kinnitty point in the 2nd minute of injury time to leave the half time score Ballyskenagh 2-8 Kinnitty 0-10.
The game sprung to life three minutes after the restart with a well-taken Kinnitty goal. Mick Molloy got possession 40 metres from goal passed to the in rushing Justin Kinsella his shot was well saved by Alan Franks but Fergal Kealey was on hand to crash the rebound to the net and the margin was down to the minimum. Form the puck out Ballyskenagh stormed up field but John Dooley’s shot for goal was saved and the danger averted. David Franks edged ‘Skenagh back two in front, only for Kinnitty to respond with points in quick succession from Richie McRedmond (f) and Mark Robinson to level matters after 39 minutes. Brendan Murphy and Justin Kinsella then traded points to leave it 2-10 to 1-13 at the three quarter stage. Points by David Franks and Brendan Murphy again gave Ballyskenagh some breathing space. McRedmond reduced the deficit to the minimum, only to see John Dooley respond with a pointed free. Three minutes from time John Dooley edged his side three in front with a pointed free. Kinnitty then threw everything into attack in an effort to salvage the game. Substitute Mick O’Shea pointed in the 59th minute and then as the game entered injury time Liam Brewer was fouled and Richie McRedmond's resulting free was deflected for a 65’. Again McRedmond floated the free into the square and in the resulting scramble Alan Franks was adjudged to have picked the ball off the ground. McRedmond stood over the 20 metre free and blasted for goal, but the ‘Skenagh defence stood firm and referee Brendan Keeshan sounded the full time whistle to leave the final score Ballyskenagh 2-14 Kinnitty 1-15
Scorers:
Ballyskenagh: Brendan Murphy 0-5, David Franks 0-4, John Dooley 0-3 (f), Derek
Middleton 1-0, Eoghan Franks 1-1, Tadgh Maher 0-1
Kinnitty: Richie McRedmond 0-8 (0-6f), Fergal Kealey 1-2, Mark Robinson 0-2,
Mick O’Shea 0-1, Justin Kinsella 0-1, Mick Molloy 0-1
Ballyskenagh: Alan Franks, Aidan Franks, Eoin Maher, Brendan Franks, Mick O’Hara, Mark Kirwan, Barry Keeshan, David Franks, Vinnie Franks, Tadgh Maher, Noel Murphy, Brendan Murphy, Derek Middleton, John Dooley, Eoghan Franks. Subs: Alan Middleton for Barry Keeshan, Tomás O’Toole for Derek Middleton
Kinnitty: Lima Bergin, Andrew Tooher, Eoghan McGuinness, Mick Cleere, Enda Grimes, Paddy Whelan, Andrew McRedmond, Liam Bergin, Liam Brewer, Joe O’Shea, Joey Carroll, Richie McRedmond, Mick Molloy, Fergal Kealey, Justin Kinsella Subs: Mark Robinson for Joey Carroll, Matthew McRedmond for O’Shea, Mick O’Shea for M McRedmond.
Referee: Brendan Keeshan