2009 Senior Championship Round 2

TULLAMORE qualified for the quarter finals of the senior hurling championship with this nine points win over Ballyskenach at Kinnitty on Sunday last. They didn't have it all their own way however as Ballyskenach gave a determined display and never allowed Kevin Martin's side to settle.

Indeed it was only after two Shane Dooley goals, the first on twenty-five minutes, the second a minute before half time that Tullamore took real command on the scoreboard, and they led 2-6 to 0-5 at the break.

Then hope for Ballyskenach, Timmy Hennessy bursting through to finish a goal just twelve seconds after the restart. Tullamore went on to outscore their opponents 0-6 to 0-1 over the next quarter hour and Edwin Finnerty sealed the win with a kicked goal on the three-quarter mark for a 3-12 to 1-6 lead. Timmy Hennessy’s goal from a good overhead flick on to a Brendan Murphy ‘65’ completed the scoring with ten minutes still to play.

Ballyskenach fielded the strongest team they have all year, though still far from full strength. With Brendan Murphy lining out at wing forward and later switched to midfield they were clearly up for this game. They defended resolutely, intercepting several short passes and while they hit some fine ground strokes their first touch was often poor and let them down. 'Skenach were also without Derek and Alan Middleton following a family bereavement and if they had played, then the issue might have been far tighter.

Shane Kirwan and Gavin and Fergus Hannon defended well though the attack struggled for the clean possession that might have yielded more scores. Tiredness too crept in as the second half progressed, and the fouls started to mount up.

Each of the Tullamore defenders came out on top in their individual duels. Hugh Treacy was the pick of the defence, Nigel Mannion and Brendan Dagg read the game superbly in the half back line, while Cillian Bane did well at full back.

In truth Tullamore were clearly the better side and Shane Dooley scored some sublime points, some from acute angles near the sideline and his tally of 2-5 from play saw them through. Only Shane Kelly offered a scoring threat in support of Dooley though and they badly need Francis Kerrigan back in the attack if they are to have any chance of a win against stronger opposition.

Indeed it was Kelly’s direct brand of hurling which did much to break the opposition down when others around him tended to overdo the short passing and it was mainly as a result of his play that Tullamore were able to keep their main attacking threat close to goals while Ballyskenach had theirs (Brendan Murphy) much further out.

Tullamore have much to ponder on in advance of their quarter final meeting with St. Rynagh’s while continued improvement for Ballyskenach might mean the relegation issue isn’t yet a foregone conclusion.

TULLAMORE: Damian Fox; Alan Martin, Cillian Bane, Hugh Treacy; Nigel Mannion, Brendan Dagg, Stephen Egan; Shane Kelly, James Keane; Jody Duffy, Diarmuid Herlihy, Shaun Martin; Edwin Finnerty, Shane Dooley, Peter Kelly.

Subs: Declan Hogan for S Martin (inj, 17 mins), Mark Conlon for B Dagg (42 mins), Kevin Waters for A Martin, Shane Longworth for J Duffy and Brian Hogan for P Kelly (all 50 mins).

BALLYSKENACH: Toms O’Toole; Tadhg Maher, Barry Keeshan, Gavin Hannon; Fergus Hannon, Shane Kirwan, Pdraig Kennedy; Emmet Middleton, Alan Franks; Noel Murphy, Timmy Hennessy, Brendan Murphy; Timmy Brooks, John Dooley, Ciarn Kirwan.

Sub: Ollie Ryan for T Brooks (38 mins).