Tullamore strive for another giant killing act against Ballyhale
KEVIN Martin's Tullamore will be striving to pull off another major giant killing act this Sunday when they face reigning provincial champions Ballyhale Shamrocks in the AIB Leinster Club SHC Final.
The 'Blues' bid for an historic success received a major boost at Monday night's Leinster Council meeting where it was announced that O'Connor Park will be the venue (throw-in 2.15pm) for the eagerly awaited showdown.
Tullamore know the venue like the back of their hand, and after clipping the wings of St Rynagh's, Birr and Kilcormac/Killoughey there earlier en-route to claiming the Sean Robbins Cup for the first time since 1964, they'll be hoping it is a happy hunting ground again.
Ballyhale Shamrocks are the holders of six Leinster titles and their triumphs were achieved in 1978 (1-13 to 1-6 versus Crumlin), 1980 (3-10 to 1-8 versus Coolderry), 1983 (3-6 to 0-9 versus Kinnitty), 1989 (2-11 to 0-7 versus Cuala), 2006 (1-20 to 1-8 versus Birr) and last year (2-13 to 1-11 versus Birr). Indeed, the only occasion Ballyhale didn't win when they appeared in a Leinster Final was back in '91 when they lost to Birr.
Ballyhale are backboned by quality players including Henry Shefflin, James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, Michael Fennelly, Aidan Cummins, Colin Fennelly and the Reid brothers TJ, Eoin and Patrick. They defeated James Stephens in the Kilkenny county final and received serious tests in their wins over Oulart-the-Ballagh (which went to extra-time) and Ballyboden St Enda's in the provincial quarter-final and semi-final, respectively.
Now managed by former Kilkenny 'keeper James McGarry, the Shamrocks bowed out of the AIB All-Ireland Club series last February, losing to Portumna at Semple Stadium. They've come through a far more difficult route than Tullamore to reach Sunday's final and that should stand them in good stead.
This is Tullamore's first voyage in the club championship and they've absolutely nothing to lose and while they are rank outsiders in everyone's eyes, that's exactly the role they relish - as Aidan Fogarty, Pat Joe Whelahan and Johnny Pilkington all found out during the concluding stages of the Offaly championship.
Tullamore were underdogs in each of their games against St Rynagh's, Birr and K/K but it didn't deter them in the slightest.
Tullamore did have to dig deep to fend off Clonkill in the Leinster semi-final at Cusack Park, Mullingar and that test won't have done any harm. It was their first outing in four weeks since winning in Offaly and cobwebs were evident and they'll need to shake these off if they are to claim the scalp of Ballyhale.
Tullamore have to be concerned about their scoring return against Clonkill. 1-12 wasn't a good tally, even more so when one considers that captain Shane Dooley registered eight points all from placed balls. Shane Kelly grabbed two points from mid-field, Francis Kerrigan bagged 1-1 and Kevin Martin a point
If the 'Blues' manage just 1-4 from play on Sunday that certainly won't be enough to upset Ballyhale who may, according to some be suspect at the back. However, in attack, they are absolutely lethal.
And even if Shefflin or TJ Reid was to be curtailed (something that is nigh on impossible over 60 plus minutes), then Colin Fennelly, or TJ and Eoin Reid will invariably step up to the plate.
Tullamore should have a big following and no doubt all neutrals will be rooting for them. Their rearguard is going to be under pressure like they never were before and they'll need huge performances from the likes of Stephen Egan, Brendan Dagg, Cillian Bane and Nigel Mannion.
While ageless goalkeeper Damien Fox, who pulled off vital saves against K/K and Clonkill, will need to be at his very best. Fox, at 48, will become one of the oldest, if not the oldest player, to start in a Leinster Club Final and it is yet another milestone in a remarkable year for him and Tullamore.
James Keane and Shane Kelly will come up against what is essentially the Kilkenny mid-field pairing of Cha Fitzpatrick and Michael Fennelly, so they are going to have their work cut out for them.
Shane Dooley, Francie Kerrigan and Kevin Martin will need to score more from play and overall Tullamore will have to hurl out of their skins if they are to dethrone the Kilkenny aristocrats.
Tullamore relish a challenge and they won't shirk back from this one either however Ballyhale should have too many aces and they should claim the O'Neill Cup for a seventh occasion.
See Also
Tullamore through to Leinster Final
Blue is the colour as Tullamore take senior hurling title
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Tullamore
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
