Scenes of wild jubilation greeted the final whistle in St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Saturday evening last when Ballyskenagh defeated Kinnitty to qualify for their first ever Offaly Senior Hurling Final.
This was a highly entertaining and competitive game played before a large crowd.
Underfoot, conditions were ideal for hurling with a stiff wind blowing straight down into the town goal.
Kinnitty, shock winners over Coolderry in the quarter final, were bidding to reach the final for the first time since 1985, and for long periods it looked as though they would make it through.
However, in the end the difference between the sides was the class of players like Brendan Murphy and David Franks who caused Kinnitty huge problems particularly in the closing quarter.
Kinnitty with wind assistance were slow to build up a lead and the sides were level at 0-2 each after 11 minutes.
But by the 20th minute they had added three points without reply and then Richie McRedmond's goal gave them a six point advantage. ‘Skenagh hit back with a David Carney goal, but two points in quick succession gave Kinnitty a five point advantage at the break.
On the resumption Kinnitty matched ‘Skenagh score for score for long periods, then a Brendan Murphy goal seemed to give Paddy Kirwan’s charges the initiative.
Then Ger Coughlan’s men responded with points and still led by 1-11 to 2-5 eight minutes from time. An Eoghan Franks goal levelled matters, but again Kinnitty went back in front. But the final five minutes belonged to Ballyskenagh as they hit 1-4 without reply to gain a final meeting with Birr or Kilcormac/Killoughey.
Richie McRedmond showed Kinnitty’s intent right form the start, sending over a point inside 60 seconds. David Franks equalised for Ballyskenagh in the second minute and thirty seconds later Kinnitty’s Justin Kinsella saw his effort for goal come back off the cross bar.
This opening sequence gave an indication that we were going to see a lively and competitive game and it certainly lived up to that expectation. Justin Kinsella (k) and Eoghan Franks (b) were both off target before Micheál Corrigan gave Kinnitty the lead with a pointed 65’.
David Franks set up Brendan Murphy for the equaliser in the 13th minute before Justin Kinsella advanced Kinnitty in front with a point to give them a lead they were to hold until the 58th minute. On the quarter hour mark a good Ballyskenagh move saw David Carney set up John Dooley with a goal chance, but Liam Bergin brought off a great save at the expense of a 65’, which ‘Skenagh failed to convert.
At the other end Mick Molloy set up Mark Robinson, but he failed to connect at the first attempt and the danger was averted. Richie McRedmond doubled Kinnitty’s lead with his second point from play in the 19th minute. Thirty seconds later came the game’s opening free when David Franks was penalised for a chop and Richie McRedmond duly pointed. A minute later Eoin McGuinness hit wide number seven for Kinnitty.
Six minutes from the break Kinnitty went six points in front. Justin Kinsella and Micheál Corrigan combined to set up Richie McRedmond and he hit a rasper to the back of Tomás O’Toole’s net from 25 metres.
In the build up to the goal Brendan Franks took Corrigan out of it and subsequently received a yellow card. From the resulting puck out Noel Murphy was fouled and when Eoghan Franks hit the resulting free wide, one began to wonder was this to be Kinnitty’s day. However, a minute later Noel Murphy took possession of a 65’ from Mick O’Hara passed to David Carney and he gave Liam Bergin no chance from 12 metres.
Kinnitty’s response was quick and decisive hitting two points in as many minutes from Justin Kinsella and Richie McRedmond to give them a 1-7 to 1-2 interval lead.
On the resumption Derek Middleton and Eoghan Franks (f) were both off target with good scoring chances for Ballyskenagh before Franks opened their account with a pointed free in the 34th minute. Eoin McGuinness quickly restored Kinnitty’s five-point advantage with a long-range point.
Both sides were guilty of some bad wides before Eoghan Franks converted a 65’ in the 40th minute. Kinnitty again responded with a Justin Kinsella point before ‘Skenagh struck for goal number two. Brenda Murphy had just been moved to full forward a move, which had devastating effects.
David Franks and Alan Middleton did the approach work but when Murphy got possession 14 metres from goal he had only one thing on his mind and blasted past Liam Bergin from 10 metres. To leave it 1-9 to 2-4.
On the quarter hour mark Mick O’Shea saw his effort for goal saved by O’Toole at the expense of a 65’, which Micheál Corrigan took and passed to Justin Kinsella and he pointed from 30 metres. Five minutes later Noel Murphy set up his brother Brendan, but on this occasion Liam Bergin brought off a marvellous save.
The margin was down to two points eight minutes from time, Brendan Murphy pointing from 30, metres. Again Kinnitty responded with a Mick O’Shea point, but straight from the puck out Brendan Murphy got possession and again had goal on his mind, his initial effort was saved but Eoghan Franks was in quickly to flash the ball to the net and level proceedings at 1-11 to 3-5.
Again Kinnitty’s response was immediate, Mark Robinson winning a free and McRedmond converting. Inside 30 seconds the sides were level for the fourth and final time when Noel Murphy sent over a great long-range effort.
The final four minutes of the game belonged totally to Ballyskenagh. First David Franks edged them in front for the first time in the game, then Brendan Murphy took possession of a long delivery from Mick O’Hara, side stepped two defenders before rattling the net from twelve metres. Further points from Noel Murphy and Mick O’Hara (f) sealed the issue and Ballyskenagh were through to their first ever Offaly Senior decider on a 4-9 to 1-12 scoreline.
Scorers:
Ballyskenagh: Brendan Murphy 2-2, Eoghan Franks 1-2 (0-1f, 0-1 65’), David
Carney 1-0, Noel Murphy 0-2, David Franks 0-2, Mick O’Hara 0-1 (f)
Kinnitty: Richie McRedmond 1-5 (0-2f), Justin Kinsella 0-4, Eoin McGuinness
0-1, Micheál Corrigan 0-1 (65’)
Ballyskenagh: Thomas O’Toole, Mark Kirwan, Cathal Murphy, Brendan Franks, Bill Lalor, Mick O’Hara, Aidan Franks, David Franks, Alan Middleton, Derek Middleton, Noel Murphy, Brendan Murphy, John Dooley, David Carney, Eoghan Franks Subs: Tadgh Maher for Dooley (43min), Barry Keeshan for Lalor (54min)
Kinnitty: Liam Bergin, Liam Bergin, Fergal Kealey, Paul O’Donnell, Liam Brewer, Paddy Whelan, Michael Cleere, Eoin McGuinness, Matthew McRedmond, Michael Corrigan, Enda Grimes, Justin Kinsella, Mick Molloy, Richie McRedmond, Mark Robinson Subs: Mick O’Shea for M McRedmond (19min), John Clendennin for Grimes (27min), Brendan Molloy for M Molloy (45min), Andrew Tooher for Corrigan (57min)
Ref: Noel Flynn (Kilcormac/Killoughey)