Ballyskenach 4-9 ...... Kinnitty 1-12
Ballyskenach created history on Saturday 13th September when they qualified for the Offaly Senior Hurling Championship Final for the first time in the club's history, by virtue of a hard-earned victory over Kinnitty in Birr in a heart-stopping encounter.
Kinnitty had the benefit of a very strong breeze in the first half and drew first blood with a point in the first minute. David Franks quickly replied with a point from 'Skenach to level things up. Moments later Lady Luck was on 'Skenach's side, as Kinnitty rattled Tom O'Toole's crossbar and danger was averted. Kinnitty's next score came from a '65 in the 10th minute, but 'Skenach again replied when Brendan Murphy took a pass from David Franks and slotted it over. A 24th minute goal from Kinnitty put them 1-5 to 0-2 points ahead and they were looking very strong and much more settled in the game than 'Skenach. However, 'Skenach got the break they needed just into injury time when Noel Murphy found David Carney, who duly rattled the net. Kinnitty were not fazed by this and quickly added two more points before the break, to leave the half time score at 1-7 to 1-2.
With the breeze fading somewhat, two frees from Eoghan Franks and two points from play for Kinnitty had the score at 1-9 to 1-4 with twelve minutes gone in the second half. Then Brendan Murphy broke through for 'Skenach's second goal, to bring the gap back to just two points 1-9 to 2-4. Kinnitty replied two minutes later with a point and a further eight minutes passed before Brendan Murphy found the posts again for another 'Skenach score.
Once more, Kinnitty replied quickly with a point, before Brendan Murphy again got through, but his shot was saved by Kinnitty's Liam Bergin, who was very much on his game. However, Eoghan Franks reacted quickly to the rebound and gave the Kinnitty keeper no chance the second time round, his goal levelling the match at 1-11 to 3-5, with seven minutes remaining. A Kinnitty free restored their one point lead before Noel Murphy coolly slotted home to level the match for the fourth time. This point was the one that finally seemed to settle the team and they stepped it up a gear for the remaining minutes.
In the 27th minute a David Franks point gave them the lead for the first time and two minutes later Brendan Murphy's shot found its way to the back of the net, to the delight of the Ballyskenach supporters. Noel Murphy added another point in injury time, before Mick O'Hara scored a '65 - the final score of the game. Kinnitty 1-12, Ballyskenach 4-9.
It was a heart stopping encounter and one that will be remembered in Ballyskenach for a long, long time. Fair dues lads, well done!
Team and Scorers:
Tom O'Toole; Mark Kirwan, Cathal Murphy, Brendan Franks; Bill Lalor,
Mick O'Hara (0-1 '65), Aidan Franks; David Franks (0-2), Alan Middleton; Derek
Middleton, Noel Murphy (0-2), Brendan Murphy (2-2); John Dooley, David Carney
(1-0), Eoghan Franks (1-2, 0-2 frees).
Subs: Tadhg Maher for John Dooley (43 mins) Barry Keeshan for Bill Lalor (54 mins)