Senior Championship Quarter Final
Ballyskenagh 1-10 ...... St. Rynagh’s 0-17
Ballyskenagh’s participation in the 2002 senior hurling championship came to an end on Sunday evening 25th August in Rath, when they suffered a four point defeat by St. Rynagh’s in the quarter final. Brendan Murphy again gave an outstanding performance with five points from play, and part of Skenagh’s downfall was Rynagh’s accuracy from placed balls, with over half of their scores coming from same - eight frees and one ‘65.
John Dooley opened the scoring with a point from a free six minutes into the game and Rynagh’s equalised two minutes later, also from a free. A Brendan Murphy point, followed by a long distance goal from Aidan Franks put Ballyskenagh in the driving seat with a 1-2 to 0-1 lead twelve minutes into the half. Rynagh’s pointed a ’65 before Brendan Murphy and John Ryan exchanged scores. Then Rynagh’s scored three points without reply (two from frees) to level the game at 1-3 to 0-6 with ten minutes to go to the break. ‘Skenagh regained the lead with a John Dooley free, followed by a point from Kenny Franks. Rynagh’s raised the white flag again before John Dooley pointed again from a free. A Brendan Murphy point three minutes later was Ballyskenagh’s final score of the half, while Rynagh’s pointed a free to leave the half time score at 1-7 to 0-8.
Rynagh’s came out with all guns blazing in the second half and used an extra man out-field to great advantage. They scored five points without reply (one free) to take a 0-13 to 1-7 and it was this period of dominance that ultimately lost the game for ‘Skenagh. Two excellent Brendan Murphy points, with a Rynagh’s point in between, left the gap at two points and all to play for. Eunan Martin pointed two Rynagh’s frees to put them ahead by four points with 15 minutes remaining. Both sides battled hard in the closing quarter, with each side scoring just a single point each (both from frees), to leave the final scoreline at 1-10 to 0-17 in favour of Rynagh’s.
This was a very disappointing result, but all credit to the lads, who worked hard, not just on the day, but all year long. This is a young side and they can rest assured that if they keep up the good work and level of commitment, their day will come.
Team and Scorers:
Alan Franks; Mark Kirwan (Capt.), Eoin Maher, Brendan Franks; Derek Middleton,
Mick O’Hara, Barry Keeshan; David Franks (0-1 free), Aidan Franks (1-0); Noel
Murphy, Bill Lalor, John Dooley (0-3 frees); Vinnie Franks, Brendan Murphy
(0-5), Kenny Franks (0-1)
Subs: Eoghan Franks for Vinnie Franks, Tom O’Toole for John Dooley.
Ref.: Brian Gavin