Fraher Field Classics

JJ KAVANAGH AND SONS COUNTY SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINAL

SERIOUS FOURMILEWATER SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE REAPS ITS REWARD

FOURMILEWATER 2=16 ROANMORE 0=17.

Fourmilewater senior hurlers added another link to their Centenary celebrations by qualifying for their first ever Waterford senior hurling championship final at the Fraher Field on Sunday afternoon.

Games between this pairing have been very close over the past year with the teams drawing in the Group stages at the same venue a few weeks ago and extra time looked on the cards here after 51 minutes with the teams locked together at 0=16 (R) to 1=13 (F).

However, in producing their best half of hurling to date, Fourmile proved worthy winners in a second period that they won convincingly by 1=10 to 0=5.

Jamie Barron turned on the style in that second half, he started with the first two points of it from play and he was here there and everywhere in a really focused bid to get his side into the County final after four previous semi final defeats.

The towering Sean Walsh was Fourmile’s constant target up front, he had a great battle with full back Conor Ryan throughout, finishing with three points from play and a constant threat from start to finish. Evan Spelman was a clone off Jamie Barron and despite a number of heavy and body shaking tackles, he stood out as one of the best performers on the field.

During the first half, Roanmore were operating at a much faster pace than their opponents and inspired by Gavin O Brien, he scored eight of the sky blues first half tally of 0=12, his team looked like they were going to carry the day.

While O Brien was the main figure for Roanmore in the half, Fourmile possessed plenty scorers in Evan Spelman, Aaron Ryan, Jamie Barron, Tholum Guiry and Sean Walsh and though under pressure for a lot of the time, they stayed in touch with their opposition.

Roanmore led by 0=9 to 0=5 come the 24th minute but a goal by Tholum Guiry at the start of added time levelled matters for a second occasion at 1=6 to 0=9. Roanmore negated the goal before the short whistle with points by Gavin O Brien 0=2(1f) and Lee Hearne to take a 0=3 advantage into the dressing rooms, 0=12 to 1=6.

Roanmore will regret their first half tally of eight wides and three more efforts dropping short, double the amount of wides of Fourmilewater with both sides winning half a dozen frees each.

SECOND HALF

The winners set their stall out early on and they had to in an effort to curb Roanmore’s fast paced game. Earlier in the championship, it was written that Jamie Barron did as much as he had to in the Group games and that the best of him would be seen in the knockout stages. This is exactly what transpired on Sunday and his two points from play by the 34th minute had the winners breathing down the necks of their opponents.

Gavin O Brien pointed two frees to settle Roanmore but the Fourmile furnace was increasing in temperature with some brilliant hurling and despite four wides, points followed by Evan Spelman, Sean Walsh from a goal attempt and Aaron Ryan from play.

The teams were now level in the 44th minute at 1=11 to 0=14. Billy Nolan struck an inspirational point from play at the end of the third quarter but Fourmile had come to terms with their opposition and Sean Walsh and Aaron Ryan(f) pointed to give Fourmile the lead for the very first time in the match in the 49th minute.

Gavin O Brien struck a contender for score of the match in the 51st minute but Dermot Ryan went on a searching run past one and all two minutes later to regain Fourmile’s lead, 1=14 to 0 =16.
The exchanges continued to be hot and heavy and even more so . Roanmore had a goal disallowed in the 54th minute for a pick up off the ground, a major moment, and then Jamie Barron gave Fourmile a 0=2 lead one minute later, 1=15 to 0=16.

Roanmore had two wides before a Gavin O Brien pointed free brought the game back to the minimum. The defining moment soon arrived when Liam O Brien finished off a Fourmile attack into the net and when sub Chris Ryan popped over a lovely score, his team had run out 0=5 winners at 2=16 to 0=17, goals again the difference in both games at the Shandon venue on Sunday.

Fourmile will now play perennial winners Ballygunner in the County final at the same venue on Sunday coming at 2.30pm

Fourmilewater’s Top Three : Jamie Barron, Evan Spelman, Sean
Walsh.

Roanmore’s Top Three : Gavin O Brien, Conor Ryan, Billy Nolan.

Man of rthe Match : Jamie Barron.

Number of Scorers : Fourmilewater : 8. Roanmore : 6.

Scores From Play : Fourmilewater : 2=13. Roanmore : 0=9

Frees For : Fourmilewater : 10. Roanmore : 12.

Wides : Fourmilewater : 10. Roanmore : 12.

Score of the Match : Dermot Ryan’s 53rd minute point for Fourmilewater.

Scorers :

Fourmilewater : Jamie Barron 0=4, Aaron Ryan 0=4(3f), Tholum Guiry and Liam O Brien 1=0 each, Evan Spelman and Sean Walsh 0=3 each, Dermot Ryan and Chris Ryan 0=1 each.

Roanmore : Gavin O Brien 0=12(8f), Brian Nolan, Rory Furlong, Sean Burke, Lee Hearne and Billy Nolan 0=1 each.

Teams :

Fourmilewater : Stephen Ryan; Conor Gleeson, Tadhg Walsh, Pat Walsh; Tholum Guiry, Oisin Walsh, Dermot Ryan; Tom Barron, Paddy Spelman; Jamie Barron, Liam O Brien, Evan Spelman; Michael Morrissey, Sean Walsh, Aaron Ryan. Subs : James McGrath for Tadhg Walsh, Chris Ryan for MichaeL Morrissey(47), Fionn Hallinan for Conor Gleeson (61).

Roanmore : Jack Chester; Alex Furlong, Conor Ryan, Charlie Chester; Frank McGrath, Billy Nolan, Dean Walsh; Sean Burke, Gavin O Brien; Brian Nolan, Eoin Burke, Ethan Flynn; Lee Hearne Rory Furlong, Sean Roche. Subs : Steven Cooke for Sean Roche (47), Paul O Sullivan for Sean Burke and Eanna McHugh for Lee Hearne (both 56), Ian Chester for Frank McGrath ( inj, 60).

Referee : Killian O Sullivan (Cappoquin).

CAPPOQUIN LOGISTICS PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
CLASHMORE/KINSALEBEG ACHIEVE SENIOR HURLING STATUS
CLASHMORE/KINSALEBEG 2=16 BRICKEY RANGERS 0=20
Formed a year after the GAA itself in 1885, Clashmore/Kinsalebeg’s Premier Intermediate hurlers produced their best achievement ever in the small ball game when they finished strongly to claim the Pat Hunt Memorial Cup at the Fraher Field on Sunday afternoon.
This was the club’s third attempt in recent years to make the step up to Senior at the final hurdle and previous disappointments to Clonea and last Sunday’s opponents, Brickeys , were well forgotten when the final whistle sounded at the Fraher Field.
Ahead of the game, this decider was billed as a 50/50 affair and so it proved. The teams were level after 50 minutes, 1=14 to 0=17 and again after 55 minutes, 1=15 to 0=18 before sub Luke Coughlan ensured his position in the annals of the Clashmore/Kinsalebeg club when he latched on to a breaking ball in front of the country end goal in the 56th minute to claim the defining score of the game.
This was always a close scoring game and Brickeys held the initiative at the start of the final quarter when they led by 0=17 to 1=11. Clashmore/Kinsalebeg, with that deep desire to over turn the 2024 result between the two teams grew in stature at the business end of proceedings and they were not to be denied on this historic occasion for their club.
The sides were level four times in the first half, including at the short whistle after a 30th minute goal effort by Man of the Match, Brian Lynch was initially saved by the ever reliable Jamie Kiely only for Ronan Fitzgerald to finish to the net.
Both sides had good free takers and they accounted for the first three scores of the game, Darragh Ryan for the winners, followed by a brace by Brickeys’ Tom O Connell. Brian Lynch left his mark early on the game as the well placed sharpshooter on the pitch lofted over a contender for score of the match in the 6th minute.
Sean Lennon and Cormac O Grady, the latter surprisingly substituted late on with 0=3 after his name, edged Brickeys ahead in the 7th minute but the teams were soon level courtesy of a brace of long distance pointed frees by Tadhg De Burca, 0=4 each.
Brickeys restored their 0=2 lead by the 20th minute after points by Conor Keane and Cormac O Grady and during this period of time, Clashmore/Kinsalebeg hit three wides. Josh Fitzgerald and Tom O Connell traded points from play in the 21st minute before Cormac Deevey and Brian Lynch scored 0=2 each by the 24th minute, 0=9 to 0=7 in favour of the local club.
A second Tom O Connell point from play left 0=3 the difference in the 27th minute but the winners claimed the first of their two goals, through a combination of Brian Lynch and Ronan Fitzgerald at that most opportune of times, just before the break to send the teams in as they had come out half an hour earlier, level.
Clashmore/Kinsalebeg shot half a dozen first half wides to Brickeys’ five and they won four frees, one less than their opposition.
SECOND HALF
SIXTEEN seconds into the second half, midfielder Ed O Halloran had the winners in front for the first time since the second minute of this final. Cormac O Grady levelled matters with his third score and his best one with a Darragh Ryan pointed free putting Clashmore/Kinsaelbeg in front again.
One minute after Peter Cummins was introduced after the 34th minute, he pointed from play and two Tom O Connell pointed frees had Brickeys 0=2 to the good at 0=14 to 1=9.
Brickeys were dominant at this stage. They accounted for three of the next five scores per Tom O Connell(f), Peter Cummins(sl) and Cormac Deevy with replies by Darragh Ryan(f) and Brian O Halloran, 0=17 to 1=11.
The winners were growing into the game, though, and three scores in two minutes by sub Shane Coughlan, Josh Fitzgerald with a contender for score of the match and midfielder Aidan Trihy from a Paul O Connor pass had the teams level at 1=14 to 0=17. Cathal Curran made a terrific 51st minute catch, was fouled and Tom O Connell(f) put Brickeys back in front.
Brickey sub Cormac Curran had a goal chance in the 53rd minute denied by a Tadhg De Burca hook and the next two scores went a long way to sorting the result, a fourth point from play by Brian Lynch followed by Luke Coughlan’s 56th minute goal, 2=15 to 0=18.
Subs continued to have an influence on the game as Brickey’s Darragh O Grady split the posts from a distance in the 57th minute while the rest of the opportunities fell mostly to Clashmore/Kinsalebeg, four of them, resulting in two pointed frees by Tadhg De Burca either side of two wides
The final score of the game fell to Tom O Connell(f) in the second of the three minutes of added time and, at the end of the day, the old adage that goals win games proved true again at the end of this year’s decider.
The final whistle saw the Fraher Field invaded with the Clashmore/Kinsalebeg colours as previous years of disappointment were forgotten and the day’s achievement was sinking in, senior hurling for the club in 2027.
PRESENTATION
Chairman of the County Board, Neil Moore presented the Pat Hunt Cup in the presence of Paudie Hunt and Championship sponsor Thomas Kiely of Cappoquin Logistics to the Clashmore/Kinsalebeg captain Danny O Mahony in front of a sea of green and red.
The Man of the Match Award was won by the winners’ Brian Lynch who such a bearing on the eventual outcome.
Clashmore/Kinsalbeg’s Top Three : Brian Lynch, Tadhg Burke, Josh Fitzgerald.
Brickeys’ Top Three : Cormac O Grady, Cathal Curran, Tom O Connell.
Man of the Match : Brian Lynch.
Number of Scorers : Clashmore/Kinsalebeg : 9. Brickeys : 7.
Scores From Play : Clashmore/Kinsalebeg : 2=9. Brickeys : 0=13.
Frees For : Clashmore/Kinsalebeg : 10. Brickeys ; 13.
Wides : Clashmore/Kinsalebeg : 11. Brickeys : 11.
Score of the Match : Josh Fitzgerald’s 49th minute point from play for Clashmore/Kinsalebeg.
Scorers :
Clashmore/Kinsalebeg : Brian Lynch 0=4, Tadhg De Burca 0=4f, Ronan Fitzgerald and Luke Coughlan 1=0 each, Darragh Ryan 0=3f, Josh Fitzgerald 0=2, Ed O Halloran, Brian O Halloran and Aidan Trihy 0=1 each.
Brickeys : Tom O Connell 0=9(7f), Cormac O Grady and Cormac Deevy 0=3 each, Peter Cummins 0=2(1sl), Sean Lennon, Conor Keane and Darragh O Grady 0=1 each.
Teams :
Clashmore/Kinsalebeg : Kyle Moloney; Danny O Mahony, Ciaran Bourke, Cian Ryan; Sam Fitzgerald, Tadhg De Burca, Cillian O Keeffe; Aidan Trihy, Ed O Halloran; Brian Lynch, Brian O Halloran, Josh Fitzgerald; Darragh Ryan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Paul O Connor. Subs : Shane Coughlan for Cillian O Keeffe(43), Luke Coughlan for Ronan Fitzgerald (54).
Brickeys : Jamie Kiely; Niall Browne, Oran Keevers, Conor Browne; Daithi Colleran, Cillian Ryan, Eoin McGrath; Cormac O Grady, Sean Lennon; Conor Keane, Tom O Connell, Cathal Curran; Sean Ronayne, Cormac Deevy, Conor Whelan. Subs : Mark Cummins for Daithi Colleran (h/t), Peter Cummins for Sean Ronayne (34, Cormac Curran for Cormac O Grady and Darragh O Grady for Mark Cummins, inj, (both 52)Brendan Cullinane for Oran Keevers(58).
Referee : Owen Morrissey (Erins Own).

WORTH THE JOURNEY

Ashling O Donnell, who is getting married in Spain next weekend made the long trip from Toronoto in Canada to cheer on Clashmore/Kinsalebeg in the County final. Ashling arrived on Friday and departed the day after the game. Fair play to her, she now has two reasons to celebrate this week. Ashling is daughter of head steward at the Fraher Field Liam O Donnell.

FOTO : Clashmore/Kinsalebeg players are congratulated by their top supporter, Oisin Breathnach as they make their way to collect the silverware after their historic achievement.

.JJ KAVANAGH AND SONS COUNTY SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINAL

TOBIN STARS AS CHAMPIONS MOVE ON

BALLYGUNNER 1=27 DLS 0=14

A storming second half performance from the champions sees Ballygunner now just

60 minutes away from an unprecedented thirteenth Waterford senior hurling title in a
row.
Twelve months ago De La Salle produced a defiant performance that kept the result
of that semi-final in doubt into the closing moments before two late Dessie
Hutchinson goals sealed their faith. On this occasion however the De La Salle
challenge lasted precisely 30 minutes and 16 seconds. A Conor Tobin goal
immediately on resumption of the second half extended the Gunners advantage to
six points and the remainder of the game took on a very familiar pattern with
complete dominance from the champions.
Manager Ian Flynn had county player Reuben Halloran in from the start for this game
while Ballygunner welcomed Jake Foley and Eoin Cuddihy into their first fifteen.
Dessie Hutchinson (illness) and Patrick Fitzzgerald (injury) both missing out on this
occasion.
Eoin Cuddihy had two points on the board inside the opening 3 minutes before De
La Salle Captain Adam Farrell replied for the Gracedieu men. Jack Fagan providing
the assist. Quick-fire points from Kevin Mahony and Conor Tobin left the champions
leading 0-4 to 0-1 after 4 minutes. De La Salle with Jack Fagan spearheading their
attack and Jake Dillon operating as a spare defender settled into the game. A
second from Farrell and another from Conor Keane reduced the margin to the
minimum. Ballygunner continued with their well-established patient game plan
retaining possession before creating scoring opportunities from deep. A Cuddihy free
and an excellent effort from Tadhg Foley extended the margin to double scores 0-6
to 0-3 with 10 minutes played. Mikey Costigan boomed a great score from distance
with Cormac Dawson getting his first of the day to leave the minimum between the
sides a the end of the opening quarter 0-6 to 0-5.
Jack Fagan caught a great ball in front of the Ballygunner small square but having
lost his hurley his attempted kick at goal came to nought. The champions had the
better of the second quarter with only uncharacteristic wides preventing a healthier
interval advantage. The margin was five points approaching the break before Jack
Fagan and Jack Twomey white flaggers left three between the teams, 0-11 to 0-8 at
half-time.

On resumption Ballygunner won possession from the throw-in before Peter Hogan
found Conor Tobin on the 45m line. Tobin used all this strength to throw off would-be
challenges before racing through an absent De La Salle defence to deftly flick the
ball to the net, 1-11 to 0-8. Substitute Pauric Mahony added three more points and
just like that game already looked done, 1-14 to 0-8 after 38 minutes. Indeed it was.
Ballygunner with Philip Mahony minding the house at one end and Pauric Mahony
pulling the strings at the opposite began to dominate with their opponents
floundering. It was the 40 th minute before a Cormac Dawson free finally added to De
La Salle’s half-time total but there was no break in the Gunners momentum. Conor
Tobin in his best outing at senior level continued to convert opportunities into scores
and might have had a second green flag before games. On this occasion his rising
effort on 52 minutes went just over Shaun O’Brien’s cross-bar. Pauric Mahony
maintained his flawless shooting to help swell the margin to sixteen points before
referee Thomas Walsh brought the occasion to a conclusion at Walsh Park.
Conor Tobin deservedly takes the plaudits after his impressive display and his
performance should be enough to earn a start in next Sunday’s county final. Another
player who looks to have garnered a regular starting spot is Cormac Power. The
former county underage player excelled at half back beside the ever reliable Philip
Mahony. An embarrassment of riches in attack for the champions with Mikey
Mahony, Kevin Mahony and Peter Hogan maintaining their high standards while
substitute Pauric Mahony was as ever impactful when introduced.
Like many before them this was a tough evening for De La Salle. The gulf between
the sides was reflected on the scoreboard with manager Ian Flynn no doubt
disappointed on how quickly his teams challenge evaporated after change of ends.
Jake Dillon, Shane McNulty and Daniel Lalor in particular battled gamely throughout.
Adam Farrell, Jack Fagan and Jack Twomey all had excellent moments in attack
against the country’s top club side.

Ballygunner : Aaron O’Neill, Ian Kenny, Tadhg Foley, Cormac Power, Philip Mahony,
Ronan Power, Conor Sheahan, Paddy Leavey, Mikey Mahony, Kevin Mahony, Peter
Hogan, Jake Foley, Conor Tobin, Eoin Cuddihy.
Subs: Pauric Mahony for Jake Foley (31m), Mark Hartley for Eoin Cuddihy (46m),
Eoin O’Brien for Peter Hogan (58m).
Scorers: Conor Tobin (1-5), Pauric Mahony (0-7, 0-5f), Eoin Cuddihy (0-4, 0-3f),
Cormac Power (0-3), Tadhg Foley, Jake Foley, Mark Hartley, Ronan Power (0-1).
De La Salle: Shaun O’Brien, Darragh Keane, Daniel Lalor, Lorcan Dwyer, Mikey
Costigan, Jake Dillon, Conor Power, Shane McNulty, Tom Moran, Adam Farrell,
Conor Keane, Jack Twomey , Cormac Dawson, Jack Fagan, Reuben Halloran.

Subs: Shane Power for Lorcan Dwyer (32m), Colm Morris for Conor Power (4m),
Sam Flynn for Tom Moran (55m), Charlie O’Callagahn for Conor Keane (57m), Brian
Cunningham for Reuben Halloran (59m).
Scorers : Jack Twomey (0-4, 0-1’65), Adam Farrell (0-3), Cormac Dawson (0-2, 0-
1f), Conor Keane, Mikey Costigan, Jack Fagan, Shane Power, Charlie O’Callaghan
(0-1).
Man-of-the-Match: Conor Tobin (Ballygunner)
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Modeligo).

Report courtesy of Brian Flannery

JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Junior B Hurling Final

FOURMILEWATER RETURN TO JUNIOR 'A' GRADE IN STYLE

Fourmilewater 3-16 Ballygunner 2-9

Fourmilewater captured this years JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Junior B Hurling Championship at Pairc Naomh Brid in glorious sunshine on Saturday afternoon last as they proved too strong for Ballygunner’s fourth string team playing in adult grades of hurling.

On the day the better team won this game. The winners were able to call on some experienced players in the likes of Thomas O’Gorman at centre forward and were able to send on former inter county player Shane Walsh in the second half when they needed another experienced head on the field when it was starting to look like the game might be slipping away from them, despite holding a 2-8 to 0-6 advantage at the break.

It was one of their younger guns that got the scoreboard operator into action when Padraig Byrne put over free on three minutes. The city side however would soon respond with a pointed free from James Lennon and would then take the lead when Ross Nolan split the posts from play.

Padraig Byrne levelled matters up when he put over his second free of the afternoon, but one from play by Adam Queally at the other end soon had Ballygunner back in front.

The first goal scoring opportunity of note when the way of Fourmilewater on 14 minutes when David Ryan got a shot in on the Ballygunner goal, but Sean Fitzgerald got a block on the ball before it reached its intended target spot.

Thomas O’Gorman and Gavin Buckley swapped scores before efforts from Michael O’Sullivan and Padraig Byrne went between the posts to give Fourmilewater the lead after 20 minutes. Ross Nolan hit a brace of points for Ballygunner with David Ryan hitting one at the other end in between, level matters for the fifth time with 24 minutes on the clock.

The games opening goal came five minutes out from the break. DJ McGrath fed Thomas O’Gorman who fired home to give his side a 1-6 to 0-6 advantage.

That score seemed to ignite Fourmilewater who just seconds later had two quickfire shots on goal, both were blocked, the second deflected out for a 65. Padraig Byrne saw his effort into the village end of the ground drop short, but DJ McGrath was on hand to fire over to put his side four in front.

Goal number two for Fourmilewater came on 29 minutes. Diarmuid Fahy found Michael O’Sullivan who bellowed to the net to put his side comfortably in front and they would add to their tally before the break when Darragh Morrissey fired over to put his side eight in front.

Fourmilewater stretched their lead early in the second half when Padraig Byrne pointed from play, but Ballygunner soon upped their game with a brace of frees put over by James Lennon and a long range one from goalkeeper Ben Power.

Ballygunner ate into the lead Fourmilewater had built up further when Ross Nolan fired to the net from the bank side of the field to leave four between the sides.

Padraig Byrne pointed from a free just before Fourmilewater struck their third goal just short of the midway point in the second half as Oran Sheehan who was man of the match in his sides win over Old Parish in the Western Final the previous weekend played in Diarmuid Fahy who rattled the Ballygunner net, putting his side 3-10 to 1-8 in front.

Ben Power hit his second long range free for the Gunners, only to have it wiped out at the other end with one from play by David Ryan.

Sean McGrath was called into action on 48 minutes when he deflected an effort from Adam Queally out over his own endline. James Lennon’s resulting effort from the 65-metre line went wide.

Ballygunner gave themselves hop going into the final minutes of the game when Adam Queally whipped in an effort from the bank side of the field to close the gap to five, but his side would not score again while Fourmilewater finished strong.

Shane Walsh and Diarmuid Fahy fired over before Shane Walsh got his second of the game. Padraig Walsh rounded off a good performance by him and late on substitute Tommy Cooney hit the last score of the game.

Fourmilewater: Sean McGrath; Eamon wall, Conal Mulcahy, Michael Moore; Sheamie Wall, Andrew Ryan, Ger Long; Diarmuid Fahy, David Ryan; Oran Sheehan, Thomas O’Gorman, Padraig Byrne; DJ McGrath, Michael O’Sullivan, Darragh Morrissey.

Subs: Liam Cooney for Michael Moore (14), Shane Walsh for Darragh Morrissey (41), Tommy Cooney for DJ McGrath (51).

Scorers: Padraig Byrne 0-6 (4f), Thomas O’Gorman, Michael O’Sullivan, Diarmuid Fahey 1-1 each, David Ryan, Shane Walsh 0-2 each, DJ McGrath, Darragh Morrissey, Tommy Cooney 0-1 each.

Ballygunner: Ben Power; Sean Fitzgerald, Tommy gear, Daniel Purcell; Dara Traynor, Jeff Frampton, Cian O’Reilly; Luke Murphy, Kyle Sloan; Ross Nolan, Fionn Aylward, David Cullen; Adam Queally, James Lennon, Gavin Buckley

Subs: Ollie Sharp for Fionn Aylward (51), John Kavanagh for Daniel Purcell (55).

Scorers: Ross Nolan 1-3, Adam Queally 1-1, James Lennon, Ben Power 0-2 each (2f each), Gavin Buckley 0-1.

Referee: Martin Curran (Old Parish).

Report courtesy of Thomas Keane.

COMERAGH OIL WESTERN INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

BALLYDUFF WIN RAYMOND O BRIEN CUP



BALLYDUFF UPPER 2=18 KILROSSANTY 2=15
THE Western IHC has been one of the most successful competitions in Waterford hurling down the years and last Saturday’s final between Ballyduff and Kilrossanty lived up to that reputation.

Favourites Ballyduff were pushed to the pin of their collar by an emerging Kilrossanty hurling club but Ballyduff’s mid second half dominance when they led by 2=16 to 0=12 stood to them against a gallant Kilrossanty comeback that saw them win the rest of the match by 2=3 to 0=2 with the Ballyduff support nervously awaiting the final whistle late into added time.

The Raymond’ Pigeon’ O Brien Cup is named after one of the most skillful players ever to wear the Tallow jersey and this decider was a fitting tribute to his memory. Ballyduff won it for the sixth occasion spanning the championship’s inaugural win of 1964 to this year’s victory and also including 1975, 2005, 2020 and 2024 while Kilrossanty were first timers in the final and, indeed , in the championship itself, showing how much they have progresses under Lismore’s Brendan Landers and his management team.

Psychologically, this was always going to be a tough occasion for Ballyduff as they were expected to win this year’s championship since it began and going on their performances to date in it. This was tested from the throw in by a Kilrossanty combination that were very much up for the challenge and they brought both a determined, skilful and physical challenge to their game that never left Ballyduff into their usual rhythm.

Kilrossanty started well with a Jack Power point after just 16 seconds but Ballyduff replied in style in the second minute when Sean Hickey placed midfielder Bill Keane for the first goal of the game.

Man of the Match Tireoghain Flynn, who did so much valuable work out the field during Ballyduff’s mid second half control of affairs, lofted over the first of his four points from play in the 4th minute, replied to by the ever present Padraig Fitzgerald (f) on the scoreboard.

This game was a real one of match ups as both sets of mentors obviously burned the midnight oil to get the best out of their respective charges. One such obvious one was Jamie Hannon on Padraig Fitzgerald and he kept the usual multi scorer from play to 0=1, a fair achievement.

Kilrossanty got their match up right as regards negating the influence of Ballyduff’s main scoring threat, Mikey Kearney with Seamus Fitzgerald in his shadow for the course of the game. Kearney was confined to 0=3f, the first coming in the 7th minute and followed by a point by one of Kilrossanty’s stars on the day, Pa Cunningham.

Kilrossanty were preventing Ballyduff’s usual opening deluge of scores and, indeed, the teams were level at the end of the first quarter at 1=2 to 0=5 following a brace of Padraig Fitzgerald pointed frees.

Ballyduff stuck to their task and they proved their worth in accounting for five of the nexr six scores between the 18th and 26th minutes per Bill Keane, brothers Jamie and Shane Kearney, Kevin Casey and Tireoghain Flynn to Kilrossanty’s solitaire by Alan Dunwoody, 1=7 to 0=6.

Martin Dunne, with a contender for score of the match and Tireoghain Flynn traded minors before Padraig Fitzgerald finished the half with a brace of pointed frees, his marker picking up a yellow card, to leave just 0=2 the difference at the break on a scoreboard reading 1=8 to 0=9.

Ballyduff hit three first half wides to Kilrossanty’s four and they won half a dozen frees to their opponents’ eight.

SECOND HALF

Ballyduff knew well that they were in a dog fight against strong opposition and they went about their winning intensions from the very start of the new half. In the 33rd minute, Donnachadh Hickey was persistent in possession close to goal to finish to the country end net and wing back Quentin Joyce followed with a point from play which changed the scoreboard to 2=9 to 0=9.

This was another challenge for the Comeragh and, in line with their overall performance, they replied well with the next three scores per Padraig Fitzgerald, 0=2(1f) and Alan Dunwoody, the latter, another player who was closely marked on the day as both teams sought to get their match ups correct, 2=9 to 0=12.

It was at this stage that Ballyduff really turned the screw. With Tireoghain Flynn, Kevin Casey and Sean Hickey really coming into the game out the field, the scores followed from all three and by centre back Shane Kearney who sent over an inspirational point, 2=18 to 0=13 with 50 minutes on the clock.

A lesser team, 0=11 in arrears, would have thrown in the towel, but Kilrossanty showed that they were not there to just make up the numbers. Seamus Fitzgerald began with the best score of the day, no doubt, from a searching run up the middle in the 53rd minute.
Three minutes later, Padraig Fitzgerald placed Pa Cunningham for a great goal that, at first, looked as if it would put a better look on the scoreboard for his team but these thoughts soon changed when Darragh Walsh followed with a quick point, 2=18 to 1=15.

At the other end, Sean Hickey brought a fine save out of Rian Hogan in the Kilrossanty goa las three minutes of added time were announced. At this stage, Kilrossanty lost their discipline in pockets around the field and a head tackle with the elbow by one of their players should have been red instead of yellow in our own opinion.

The three minutes of added time were close when Kilrossanty were awarded a free in front of the town end and Padraig Fitzgerald, again, proved his worth in striking the sliotar past a line of red jerseys to leave just a goal the difference at 2=18 to 2=15.

Kilrossanty attacked again and were not far off getting another strike on goal but time ran out for them and Ballyduff’s overfall performance deserved them the honours on the day.

This was a final worth the entrance fee and it proved once more how important Divisional championships are too the GAA calender in the County.

PRESENTATION

Chairman of the Western Board, Pa Lyons presented the Raymond O Brien Cup to Ballyduff’s winning captain, Jamie Hannon who thanked one and all and complimented Kilrossanty on their efforts.
The Kenny Murphy Moves Gym sponsored Man of the Match Award was presented to Ballyduff’s Tireoghain Flynn.

Ballyduff’s Top Three : Tireoghain Flynn, Kevin Casey, Sean Hickey.

Kilrossanty’s Top Three : Padraig Fitzgerald, Seamus Fitzgerald, Pa
Cunningham.

Man of the Match : Tireoghain Flynn.

Number of Scorers : Ballyduff : 9. Kilrossanty : 8.

Scores From Play : Ballyduff : 2=15. Kilrossanty : 1=9.

Frees For : Ballyduff : 15. Kilrossanty : 16.

Wides : Ballyduff : 10. Kilrossanty : 7.

Score of the Match : Seamus Fitzgerald’s individually worked 53rd minute point for Kilrossanty.

Young players that shone for both sides : Ballyduff : Bill Keane, Donnachadh Hickey, Tomas Ahern, Aodhan Hickey and Quentin Joyce. Kilrossanty : Colm Barry, Sean Veale, Rian Hogan and Darragh Walsh

Scorers :

Ballyduff : Bill Keane 1=1, Tireoghain Flynn and Kevin Casey 0=4 each, Donnachadha Hickey 1=0, Mikey Kearney 0=3f, Shane Kearney and Sean Hickey 0=2 each, Jamie Kearney and Quentin Joyce 0=1 each.

Kilrossanty : Padraig Fitzgerald 1=8 (1=7f), Pa Cunningham 1=1, Alan Dunwoody 0=2, Seamus Fitzgerald, Martin Dunne, Jack Power and Darragh Walsh 0=1 each.

Teams :

Ballyduff : Conor Sheehan; Tomas Ahern, Oran Leamy, Jamie Hannon; Quentin Joyce, Shane Kearney, Aodhan Hickey; Shane Hannon, Bill Keane; Sean Hickey, Jamie Kearney, Kevin Casey; Mikey Kearney, Tireoghain Flynn, Donnachadh Hickey. Subs : Gavin Kenneally for Aodhan Hickey and Brian Bourke for Oran Leamy( both 55), Cathal Murphy for Jamie Kearney(61).

Kilrossanty : Rian Hogan; Shane Power, Caoimhin Walsh, Seamus Fitzgerald; Colm Barry, Martkin Dunne, Sean Veale; Darragh Walsh, Jack Whyte; Pa Whyte, Jack Power, Pa Cunningham; Eoin Power, Padraig Fitzgerald, Alan Dunwoody. Subs : Jack Crotty for Jack Whyte (50), Stephen Prendergast for Sean Veale (61).

Referee : Timmy Organ (Abbeyside).

CUP PRESENTATION
Left to right : Paddy Joe Ryan, Sponsor, Comeragh Oil, Pa Lyons, Western Board Chairman, Jamie Hannon, Ballyduff captain.