Tullamore 0-19 ...... Ballyskenach 1-14
Alan Walsh reports
SCORERS: Tullamore: Shane Dooley (0-12, 0-7 frees & 0-2 65's), Francis
Kerrigan (0-5), Shaun Martin (0-1), Gearoid O'Grady (0-1).
Ballyskenach: Brendan Murphy (0-4), Noel Murphy (0-3), John Dooley (0-3, 0-2
frees), Alan Franks (1-0 free), Alan Middleton (0-2, 0-1 free), Derek Middleton
(0-1), Timmy Hennessy (0-1).
WIDES: Tullamore 8 (3 1st half); Ballyskenach 8 (4 1st half).
SHANE Dooley and Francis Kerrigan contributed an impressive seventeen points
between them as Tullamore wore down the brave challenge of Ballyskenach and
duly booked their place in the quarter-finals of the SHC where they'll meet
reigning champions Birr.
This Group 1 fixture, originally scheduled for August 11, was correctly postponed
at the 11th hour by referee Ciaran Groome as the clouds quite literally exploded
as the teams went through their warm ups.
Due to this there was no admission charge in to last Saturday's re-fixture however
both clubs were disappointed the game was played on the lower pitch in Kinnitty
as it was in poor condition, with high grass in places and also cut grass wasn't
removed. Kinnitty GAA are carrying out work on their top pitch and while they've
fabulous facilities, the envy of many clubs, they should have ensured the lower
pitch was in better condition for Saturday's game.
Ballyskenach, who needed to win by at least eleven points to gain a knockout
place at the Blues expense, began sluggishly and they were 0-5 to nil adrift
after just six minutes. 'Skenach, managed by Gerry Kirwan – father of
Sunday's All-Ireland final referee Diarmuid, got to within four points by half
time, 0-6 to 0-10.
However, the worrying crux for them was that none of their forwards scored from
play in the first half and their three points from play were supplied by two
halfbacks – Derek & Alan Middleton and mid-fielder Brendan Murphy.
All of Tullamore's ten points were accounted for by Dooley (7) and Kerrigan
(3).
On the resumption Ballyskenach showed far more urgency and they looked like
a team that believed they just might be capable of making up the score differential.
Noel Murphy, who switched to centre forward, grabbed a good point and when Alan
Franks drilled a 32nd minute free to the net, it levelled matters, 1-7 to 0-10.
It was the first of five occasions the sides were deadlocked in the second half
but significantly Tullamore never went behind. Three times they pulled two points
clear (0-14 to 1-9 45mins, 0-16 to 1-11 51mins & 0-17 to 1-12 54mins) and
'Skenach admirably fought back to draw level. But just as they did against Drumcullen,
Joe Owens' team grabbed two late points through Dooley and Kerrigan to win by
that margin.
Tullamore (+3) advance to the quarter-finals as the third place team in Group
1. Kilcormac/K (+24) finished second and they now meet St Rynagh's. Coolderry
(+40) topped the group and take on Shamrocks, while the last quarter-final tie
involves Lusmagh and Kinnitty. The four teams involved in the relegation semi-finals
are 'Skenach, Drumcullen, Seir Kieran and Belmont. One team makes the drop to
intermediate.
Tullamore will be pleased they survived two stern tests in their final two group
outings. Defensively they still look suspect but as previously mentioned their
point taking ability is of the highest quality. Dooley, with 0-12 to his credit
(nine from placed balls), was deadly accurate and he was within inches of a
54th minute goal only to see his screamer fly into the side netting.
Kerrigan grabbed five lovely points and his 'up close and personal' tussle when
he was moved out on to Derek Middleton was a fascinating one. Francie can hurl
but he needs to hold his composure. If Tullamore are to threaten Birr, they'll
require a greater contribution from the remaining forwards, most notably Gearoid
O'Grady, Shaun Martin and Shane Kelly.
The pressure was on 'Skenach even before a ball was struck in anger and they
struggled to lift their performance level. Minus Aidan Franks, Eugene Hannon
and Daryl Carney, and without Mick O'Hara, Eoghan Franks and David Carney for
the entire season, it has been uphill all the way for 'Skenach and they deserve
credit for the way they've approached the SHC.
Brothers Brendan and Noel Murphy were prominent during the second half and while
'Skenach might have liked to move Brendan to full forward earlier they couldn't
do it owing to Tullamore's lively start. Mark Kirwan, Tom O'Toole, Derek Middleton
and John Dooley also hurled spiritedly for 'Skenach.
Four points by Shane Dooley, divided equally between frees and play and another
from Francis Kerrigan helped Tullamore surge 0-5 to nil in front. This lightning
start meant 'Skenach had to conjure up a turnaround of sixteen points if they
were to remain in the championship hunt and realistically that was never going
to happen.
Alan Middleton sent over a long range 7th minute point for 'Skenach before Dooley
and Middleton (free) traded points, 0-2 to 0-6. Dooley and his 'Skenach namesake
John sent over pointed frees. Points by Kerrigan and Dooley ('65) meant the
'Blues' went six up, 0-9 to 0-3 after 23 minutes.
'Skenach replied with points from Derek Middleton and John Dooley (free) and
before the half concluded Kerrigan and Brendan Murphy swapped points. Half-time:
Tullamore 0-10 Ballyskenach 0-6.
'Skenach were level inside two minutes of the re-start. Noel Murphy tapped over
a point and Alan Franks fired a well-struck free, won by John Dooley, to the
roof of the net. Dooley (free) regained the lead for Tullamore and John Dooley,
with his only point from play, restored parity. Shaun Martin and Brendan Murphy
landed points at either end before Dooley (a '65 & free) put Tullamore two
points ahead, 0-14 to 1-9 after 45 minutes.
Scores by Timmy Hennessy and Noel Murphy levelled it for the fourth time and
there was now a bit of intensity to the exchanges. Dooley (free) and Kerrigan
pushed the 'Blues' two ahead, 0-16 to 1-11. Brendan Murphy and Gearoid O'Grady
exchanged points and 'Skenach drew level for the fifth time in the 56th minute,
0-17 to 1-14, after Noel & Brendan Murphy bisected the posts.
It was exciting and enjoyable at this stage but Tullamore, who were harper,
finished in the ascendancy and points by Dooley and Kerrigan secured the win.
TULLAMORE: Alan Gleeson; Alan Martin, Killian Bane, Diarmuid Herlihy; Jody Duffy,
Nigel Mannion (capt.), Mark Conlon; Stephen Egan, James Keane; Shaun Martin,
Shane Dooley, Shane Kelly; Gearoid O'Grady, Francis Kerrigan, Danny Ward.
Subs.: Edwin Finnerty for D Ward (half time), Kevin Martin for S Kelly (38 mins),
Pe Kelly for J Duffy (blood).
BALLYSKENACH: Tomas O'Toole; Tony O'Riordan, Cathal Murphy, Mark Kirwan; Derek
Middleton (capt.), Alan Middleton, Morgan Lalor; Noel Murphy, Brendan Murphy;
Emmett Middleton, Timmy Hennessy, Tadhg Maher; Ciaran Kirwan, John Dooley, Alan
Franks.
Subs.: Shane Carroll for E Middleton (45 mins), Ollie Ryan for C Kirwan (50
mins).
REFEREE: Declan Cooke, Crinkle.
Home | Archives | Photo Gallery | Contact Us