By John Horan
Ballyskenach secured their first brace of points in the Offaly Senior Hurling Championshipwhen they defeated Kilcormac/Killoughey by a three point margin at St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Sunday last.
It was quite an exciting contest and Ballyskenach had to hold on in the closing stages before they came through at the finish. Ballyskenach failed to score in the last eighteen minutes while K/K made a bit of a comeback scoring three points in the last five minutes, their only scores of the second half. K/K could have been closer at the finish but they hit several second half wides which didn’t help their cause.
Ballyskenach led by 1-6 to 1-4 at the interval and they added a tally of 0-4 in the second half. It was close enough in the closing stages and Ballyskench took the points despite going the last quarter of the match without scoring.
At the midpoint of the second half Ballyskenach hit a purple patch and scored three points in two minutes with Eugene Franks sending over two. The game then went some thirteen minutes before K/K found the range when Paul Leonard pointed. It was K/K’s first score for twenty five minutes of the second half as they laid on the pressure in the closing stages, however Ballyskenach battened down the hatches and held out.
Earlier Ballyskenach had got off to a useful start and raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the 7th minute. A goal separated the teams at the end of the first quarter then the game picked up again and Ballyskenach struck with a goal following a free by David Franks that found the net. Four minutes later K/K replied with a goal of their own when the Ballyskenach defence was breached and Martin Murray got the ball over the line.
Ballyskenach got their campaign off to a winning start and were helped by the peformances of Eugene Hannon, Brendan Franks, captain Mark Kirwan and Mick O’Hara in defence. David Franks and Aidan Franks formed a good partnership at midfield and David Franks finishing the contest with 1-2. In the forwardline Tadhg Maher, Brendan Murphy and John Dooley impressed. Tadhg Maher had the chance of a goal in the first half following a solo run but Kilcormac/Killoughey ‘keeper Stephen Byrne saved.
Kilcormac/Killoughey were helped by the performances of Henry Kilmartin, Seamus Spain, Mark Hand and Tony Spain in defence. Joey Wynne battled hard at midfield while in the forwadline there were good displays by John Leahy, Kevin Rigney, Mark Leonard and Martin Murray.
Ballyskenach moved into a two point lead in the opening minutes following scores by Tomas O’Toole and John Dooley (free). Kilcormac/Killoughey’s first score came five minutes in when John Leahy put over a free. Ballyskenach added two points in as many points following scores by David Franks, the second following a pass by Aidan Franks. A goal separated the teams in the 11th minute when John Dooley pointed a free and the same player pointed a free moments later as Ballyskenach led by 0-6 to 0-2.
Ballyskenach had the chance of a goal in the 13th minute when following a solo run by Tadhg Maher the keeper saved. John Leahy pointed a free, however ten minutes before half time Ballyskenach got in for a goal when David Franks goaled from a free. K/K replied with a goal of their own six minutes before half time when following a free the goalkeeper erred and Martin Murray was on hand to sent it to the net making it 1-6 to 1-3 to Ballyskenach in the 25th minute.
K/K had the chance of a goal moments later when Shane Hand passed to Martin Murray who transferred to Mark Leonard but the ‘keeper pulled off a fine save. Shortly after K/K had another chance however Martin Murray’s strong shot came back off the bar. K/K sent over the final point of the half when John Leahy pointed a free. At half time Ballyskenach led by 1-6 to 1-4.
Ballyskenach pointed a minute into the second half when Eugene Franks scored. Five minutes into the half Ballyskenach had the chance of a goal when a chance fell for John Dooley, he lost his hurl and had to kick for goal, however he was denied.
Ballyskenach then strung three points together in two minutes following scores by Eugene Franks and John Dooley as Ballyskenach led by 1-10 to 1-4 at the end of the third quarter.
K/K made a late charge in the closing stages and five minutes from time Kevin Rigney distributed a pass to substitute Paul Cummins who pointed from distance. K/K followed up with two additional points in two minutes following efforts by John Leahy after a pass by Paul Cummins and centre forward Kevin Rigney but Ballyskenach held on to win by a goal at the finish.
BALLYSKENACH: Alan Franks; Eugene Hannon, Eugene Kirwan, Brendan Franks; Mark Kirwan (Capt), Mick O’Hara, Barry Keeshan; David Franks (1-2, 1-0 free) Aidan Franks; Tadhg Maher, Noel Murphy, Brendan Murphy; Vinnie Franks, John Dooley (0-4, 4 frees), Tomas O’Toole (0-1). Subs: Eugene Franks (0-3) (for Tomas O’Toole); Alan Middleton (for Eugene Kirwan); Derek Middleton (for Vinnie Franks); Tomas O’Toole (for John Dooley).
KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY Stephen Byrne; Niall Leavy, Henry Kilmartin, Seamus Spain; Keith McConvile, Mark Hand, Tony Spain; Joey Wynne, Seamus Kiely; Shane Hand, Kevin Rigney (0-1), Colm Cassidy; Mark Leonard, Martin Murray (1-0), John Leahy (0-5, 0-4 frees). Subs: Paul Cummins (0-1) (for Mark Leonard); Paul Leonard (for Joey Wynne).
REFEREE: Brian Gavin (Clara).