BALLYSKENACH are North Tipp. junior hurling champions, 1959. And worthy champions they are, as was proved in no uncertain fashion at the Borrisokane venue on Sunday last when they outplayed an above average Lorrha selection in a thrilling and high-quality final. Full time scores were: Ballyskenach, 4-5; Lorrha, 2-4.
The junior final was a match of varying ing fortunes. At half time it looked as if Lorrha had weathered the worst of the storm, and although this impression was quickly dispelled, it was not until well into the closing quarter that Ballyskenach supporters had any cause for confidence.
It was then that a “soft” goal gave them new heart in the remaining minutes they built up a clear 7 points lead. Extremely well trained, they were the stronger finishers and altogether formed a very well balanced team.
P. Franks and D. Franks, tireless workers and clever hurlers, were outstanding on the half forward line, where W. Campion also gave good service. M. Moloney & P. Dooley were the most effective forwards and N. Delaney, center field, wound up a good hour by playing a vital role in the last quarter resurgence.
M. Hogan, center back, was always reliable and the McLouglins were very sound players in a defence which earned a major share of the honours in that Department. Jack Dooley did well in goal, though he had a much quieter hour than his counterpart at the other end of the field.
Brilliant Goalie
The brilliant display of Lorrha’s goalie, T. Monteith, was an outstanding feature of the match, his many fine saves being reminiscent of his illustrious clubmate, Tony Reddan.
The Lorrha team was a blend of youth and experience, including seniors Huby and Willie Hogan and M. Brophy. Hugy Hogan had a good game in the full forward berth, scoring 2-1 of his team’s total. J. and N. Lane starred on the half forward line, where P. O’Brien also did useful work, although his careless taking of frees proved expensive.
J. Burke, half back, gave outstanding service in various parts of the field and P. Kennedy was another player to show particular promise.
The Scoring
Lorrha opened the scoring with a point from a free by H. Hogan. Right from the start, the hurling was of a high order, with players from both sides starring in sustained passages at full pressure. Repeated attacks by Ballyskenach resulted at length in a goal well taken by M. Moloney.
O’Brien and Lane centred well for Lorrha, but the ‘Skenach defence proved impregnable.
For the next five minutes, it was ‘all Ballyskenach’ but goalie Monteith, Hogan and Brophy, kept the attackers from chalking up the scores which seemed imminent time and again. Eventually a free taken by W. Campion yieled a point when the ball rocketed over the bar off a defending hurley.
Play veered up field and within a few seconds H. Hogan had crashed the ball to the net for a Lorrha score which was against the run of the game but was none the less deserved for that.
Scores were level a 1-1 all and Lorrha, thus encouraged, piled on the pressure. J. Lane put them ahead when he doubled on the ball for a good point. Another strong Lorrha attacked was repulsed but the blues returned for a point by J. Burke which followed a free by P. O’Brien. Just on half time, J. Lane added a further point to give Lorrha a clear 3 points lead at the interval – 1-4 to 1-1.
Second Half
At this stage, Lorrha seemed all set for victory. Ballyskenach, it appeared, had ‘missed the buss’ by failing to translate their early dominance into scores. But appearances were deceptive, as quickly became the obvious, when they took the initiative again on the resumption.
‘Skenach were foiled momentarily when Spain covered off well in Lorrha’s vacated goal, but award of a free gave them a chance which Delaney duly converted into a point. A lightning fast move, Hogan-Cashin-D. Franks, yielded a further ‘Skenach point and cut Lorrha’s lead to the minimum.
Monteith saved brilliantly in the Lorrha goal, first from a drive by Campion and then from D. Franks – the latter’s being a stroke which had ‘point’ written all over it until Monteith’s hurley pulled it down out of the sky.
Still the ‘Skenach men kept up the pressure and soon gained the equalizer, when P. Franks, one of the three loose men favourably situated, finished Lorrha’s poor makring by sending over a point.
Lorrha Strike Back
Lorrha, however were not done yet and it was a sad blow to their hard worked opponents when they scored another goal – H. Hogan hand passing to the net after good work outfield by J. Lane and J. Burke.
Dooley saved well from Burke in a further Lorrha attack, and then quite suddenly came the turning of the tide. First, a defence miscalculation resulted in the ball tricling intot he Lorrha net from the ‘Skenach left wing; this was the equalizer. Next came a goal by D. Franks – giving ‘Skenach a 3 points lead – and Delaney added a point from a free. Just to make sure, Moloney tapped to the net when Delaney sent the ball across the goalmouth.
Champions & Runners-Up
Ballyskenach: Jack Dooley, D. Walsh, John McDonnell, B. McLoughlin, Sean Keeshan, M. H ogan, P. McLoughlin, E. Delaney, D. Cashin, W. Campion, P. Franks, D. Franks, M. Moloney, P. Dooley, S. Hogan.
Lorrha: T. Monteith, F. Spain, T. Lambe, W. Hogan, J. Burke, M. Brophy, P. Kennedy, M Meara, M. Darcy, P. O’Brien, N. Lane, J. Lane, P. Dermody, H. Hogan, M. Gleeson
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