Ballyskenach 2-15 ...... Drumcullen 1-9
BALLYSKENACH, 2003 county finalists, kept their SHC knockout qualification
aspirations alive after they inflicted a nine-points, 2-15 to 1-9, defeat on
Drumcullen last Sunday evening in Clareen.
Aidan Bracken Building Design Offaly SHC Group 1
Gerry Kirwan's 'Skenach side led by 0-8 to 0-5 at the end of a close fought
opening half, however, two goals inside seven second half minutes, including
a bizarre own goal, gave them a decisive cushion.
After suffering a heavy opening round reversal against Kilcormac/Killoughey,
'Skenach will be delighted to have bounced back with a morale lifting victory.
They've remaining group fixtures against Tullamore and Coolderry, and a win
over the 'Blues' would leave them within touching distance of a quarter-final
spot. Ironically, Tullamore defeated Ballyskenach on three occasions in the
2006 SHC.
Drumcullen, who won the last of their 17 county titles in 1960, have suffered
three consecutive defeats and no matter what the outcome of their final group
fixture against Tullamore is, they're going to be involved in the relegation
play-offs. They lost heavily to Coolderry seven days and their loss to 'Skenach
ended whatever outside chance they had of maintaining some interest in the business
end of the championship.
After eight minutes, Drumcullen led by 0-3 to 0-1 but by half time they trailed
0-8 to 0-5. Four minutes into the concluding half Drumcullen leaked an own goal
and when Brendan Murphy fired a pile-driver to the roof of Shane Guinan's net,
it gave 'Skenach a nine-point advantage, 2-9 to 0-6. The closest Drumcullen
got to 'Skenach was to within seven points and Damien Spain's late goal was
a mere consolation.
'Skenach hurled with a purpose and passion that was absent when they played
K/K almost three months ago in the first round. Brendan Murphy was in magnificent
form and he was their top scorer from mid-field, contributing 1-7 (0-4 frees).
He might have finished with a greater tally but wayward striking saw him off
target on five occasions. Timmy Hennessy and Eugene Hannon also posed a lot
of problems for the Drumcullen rearguard.
Drumcullen welcomed back Aidan Mannion and Conor Gath from injury, both lining
out on the right flank of the attack, but their recent absences hampered their
effectiveness. Aidan Mannion was replaced at half time and while Conor Gath
tried hard, he wasn't as effective as he'd normally be. Along with Ray Gath
he was the only forward to score for Drumcullen with 1-1 coming from subs and
0-5 from placed balls.
John Cashin pointed a 2nd minute Drumcullen '65 and 'Skenach equalised immediately through Brendan Murphy (free). Ray Gath and Cashin (another '65 after Tomas O'Toole diverted a Conor Gath shot around the upright) edged Drumcullen 0-3 to 0-1 in front by the 8th minute.
Ballyskenach were on the level terms after 12 minutes as Eugene Hannon and
Murphy hit the target. Derek Middleton put 'Skenach ahead three minutes later
and they didn't relinquish their advantage afterwards.
Hannon made it 0-5 to 0-3 and Conor Gath (free) cut the deficit to the minimum.
Timmy Hennessy and Cashin traded points and Ballyskenach finished the half strongest
and scores from Aidan Franks (free) and Brendan Murphy (free) gave them a 0-8
to 0-5 half time cushion.
Shortly after the restart Hennessy knocked over 'Skenach's ninth point and
in the 34th minute Noel Murphy's cross into the Drumcullen square looked to
have been dealt with but a defensive mix-up saw the sliotar finish up in the
net. It was a devastating blow to Drumcullen, one they simply never recovered
from.
Conor Gath pulled a point back and his side spurned three opportunities of eating
into their opponents' lead further before Ballyskenach grabbed their second
goal. Hennessy and Tony O'Riordan combined to set up Murphy and his screaming
shot flew to the net.
A couple of minutes later Drumcullen were awarded a 20m free but Conor Gath's
effort for goal
struck the ground first and was saved and cleared. He did add a point from a
free to leave it 2-9 to 0-7 heading into the final quarter.
Brendan Murphy pointed a Ballyskenach free but Rath Gath and Clem Spain scored two good points from play to bring the lead back to seven points with eight minutes left. Brendan Murphy then scored three points in a three minute spell, two from play and one a free, to put the issue beyond doubt.
Drumcullen did get in for a late goal as Damien Spain finished to the net. Ballyskenach responded with points from Noel Murphy and Tadhg Maher to leave them as convincing winners.
Cathal Murphy had a good game at full back while halfbacks Morgan Lalor and Aidan Franks both played well. Brendan Murphy had a good game at mid-field, improving more as the game went on, while in attack Eugene Hannon, Timmy Hennessy and Noel Murphy were best.
For Drumcullen, Stephen Ryan, Mark Hennessy and Tom Lalor worked tirelessly in defence. John Cashin had a good first half at mid-field while in attack Ray Gath and Conor Gath were most prominent.
BALLYSKENACH: Tomas O'Toole; Mark Kirwan, Cathal Murphy, Daryl Carney; Morgan
Lalor, Alan Middleton, Aidan Franks; Brendan Murphy, Derek Middleton; Noel Murphy,
Timmy Hennessy, Padraic Kennedy; Ciaran Kirwan, Tony O'Riordan, Eugene Hannon.
Subs.: Tadhg Maher for P Kennedy inj (9 mins), John Dooley for A Middleton inj
(33 mins), A
Middleton for D Carney (39 mins).
DRUMCULLEN: Shane Guinan; John Brophy, Stephen Ryan, Mark Hennessy; Liam Kelly,
Harry Ryan, Tom Lalor; John Cashin, Niall O'Leary; Aidan Mannion, Pierce Gath,
Joseph Troy; Conor Gath, Ray Gath, Dermot Gath.
Subs.: Alan Maher for A Mannion inj (half time), Adrian Hynes for J Brophy (38
mins), Clem Spain for P Gath (49 mins), Damien Spain for J Troy (54 mins).
SCORERS:
Ballyskenach: Brendan Murphy (1-7, 0-4 frees), Eugene Hannon (0-2), Timmy Hennessy
(0-2), Aidan Franks (0-1 free), Derek Middleton (0-1), Noel Murphy (0-1), Tadhg
Maher (0-1). Plus an own goal.
Drumcullen: John Cashin (0-3, all '65's), Conor Gath (0-3, 0-2 frees), Damien
Spain (1-0), Ray Gath (0-2), Clem Spain (0-1).
WIDES:
Ballyskenach 13; Drumcullen 11.
REFEREE: Declan Cooke, Crinkle.
(c) Offaly Express 07 August 2007
Home | Archives | Photo Gallery | Contact Us