Heroic Belmont make history with first senior hurling title as Birr left pondering

TWO clubs working so hard for a big breakthrough met in an enjoyable Offaly Division 1 Hurling League final in Banagher on Saturday with Birr seeking a return to glory days that are fast becoming a distant memory and Belmont fiercely competitive in recent years but falling agonisingly short in big games.

Buggy Coaches Division 1 Hurling League final

Belmont 1-17

Birr 1-9

With the championship looming in two weeks time, this was important for both and victory went to Belmont, who were the better team throughout but finally pulled away during a really excellent second half by them.

Their win was richly deserved, they were the better side by a country mile and no one in Birr will begrudge them it, even if it left them with a huge amount to ponder over. In the broader scheme of things, a league title would not mean that much to Birr, other than it would be a boost to their confidence as they bid to turn a corner.

For Belmont, however, it means everything. Knocking on the door in the Senior Hurling Championship for a few years, they took a definite step backwards last year but this was a hugely positive performance by them.

They played their hurling hard but fair and with great poise and composure. They certainly wanted it more than Birr, who didn't match their levels of intensity and they were worth every one of their eight point winning margin. It was a sign of Belmont's second half superiority that Birr were left dropping hopeful balls into the danger zone in the last few minutes as they tried to manufacture a goal – and one goal would have been no where near enough for them.

Significantly, the Belmont win was ensured without what is arguably their most important player, David Nally. Nally got a minor operation on a knee on Friday and was at the venue on crutches but should be back in four to five weeks – his brother Shane was also missing, on honeymoon.

It was a very poor evening for Birr and while their focus will be on the championship and a league title would not have meant as much to them, their overall display raises questions about their well-being. League, even a final, is not the place for making judgements but Birr certainly looked a distance away from turning that corner.

It was, however, all about Belmont and to focus on the Birr inadequacies would be to do a great injustice to the winners and the impressively professional way they went about their business. They were so focused, so determined and they were the better side in almost every aspect of play.

Belmont were the better team in the first half, though this was not reflected by their half time lead of 0-9 to 1-5. In fact Birr were very happy to be only a point down at the break as they never really got going and lived on scraps. Four of their points came from Eoghan Cahill frees and their first minute goal was a fortunate one as Damien Egan parried Ailbe Watkins shot but couldn't keep it out of the net.

That goal gave Birr a 1-0 to 0-1 lead and Belmont played some of their best hurling after this. They got the next four points, two of them Adam Egan frees and a quality sideline and score from play from Oisin Kelly, who caused a lot of first half problems.

After this, it settled down into a good, competitive game. Belmont attacked with way more potency but Birr kept the scoreboard ticking over throughout. Belmont were 0-8 to 1-2 ahead after 18 minutes and deserved that lead but three Eoghan Cahill frees, two of them from way out, ensured it was a one point game at the break.

Belmont made their superiority count on the scoreboard in the second half, quickly grabbing the initiative and never letting Birr have a sniff of it. They got the opening five points in nine minutes to lead by 0-14 to 1-5 and this was a much more accurate reflection of how much better they were than their opponents.

One of those points was by veteran team captain, Colin Egan, who made a huge impact when coming on at half time. The introduction of county player Leon Fox, back from a long injury lay off, also strengthened their hand and Birr were soon grasping for air.

Their first point was an Eoghan Cahill free in the 42^nd minute but Belmont's crucial goal arrived four minutes later. The excellent Adam Egan sent in a great ball, Oisin Kelly grabbed it with only one thing on his mind and he gave Sean Thompson no chance with a typically powerful shot.

Now the lead was out to 1-14 to 1-6 and Birr required a Belmont collapse to triumph. It was never going to happen and while the sides swopped three points each in the closing quarter, Birr needed much more and superb Belmont defensive play kept them at bay, with the two Jack's, Egan and Clancy very influential late on.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Oisin Kelly (Belmont): Three outstanding contenders on the Belmont team and one for Birr.

Firstly, the performance of Birr centre half back Barry Harding deserves to be highlighted. On a day when most of his colleagues floundered, he was immense. He gave a real tour-de-force in the first half when his reading of the game saw the ball regularly in his hands while he continued to dig deep in the second half as defeat loomed and Belmont's superiority increased.

David Kelly, Adam Egan and Oisin Kelly were three standout players for Belmont. David Kelly was brilliant in the defence and Egan was super at the fulcrum of the attack. He nailed his frees, got two from play and his delivery set up the goal. You could select Egan and stand over it but my choice is Oisin Kelly. He is now getting back to his best after coming back from two cruciate injuries and he did what Belmont required from a county star here. He stood up to be counted, won ball, took his man on and got crucial scores. He ensured a very uncomfortable hour for the Birr defence and it is debatable if Belmont would have won without his display.

A special mention also to Belmont goalkeeper Damien Egan and James Nally. Egan could have kept out the Birr goal but was flawless apart from that. A long time experienced outfield player, he will be a great asset to Belmont in goals as he dealt efficiently with very tricky ball and made crucial saves.

James Nally also did very well. He drifted back to help out defence at times but got three important points and was steady and sharp.

THE SCORERS

Belmont: Adam Egan 0-8 (6f), Oisin Kelly 1-2 (1 sideline), James Nally 0-3, Colin Egan 0-2, Conor Butler and Ronan McEvoy 0-1 each.

Birr: Eoghan Cahill 0-6 (5f), Ailbe Watkins 1-0, Brian Watkins, Luke Nolan, Ian Kerin 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

BELMONT: Damien Egan; Patrick Taaffe, Ciaran Cahill, Jack Egan; Conor Butler, Mark Egan, David Kelly; Jack Clancy, Ronan McEvoy; Aron McCabe, Adam Egan, Adam Nugent; James Nally, Oisin Kelly, Cathal Flynn. Subs – Colin Egan for Nugent (HT), Leon Fox for McCabe (40m), Ronan Flynn for McEvoy, inj. (51m),

BIRR: Sean Thompson; Padraic Watkins, Eoin Hayes, Cian Nolan; Brian Watkins, Barry Harding, Ben Miller; Luke Nolan, Colm Mulrooney; Eoghan Cahill, Craig Shortt, Ailbe Watkins; Lochlann Quinn, Ian Kerin, Morgan Watkins. Subs – Emmet Nolan for Shortt (39m), Jimmy Irwin for Cian Nolan (39m), Cormac Kenny for Kerin (44m), Ricky Fitzsimons for Quinn (47m),

Referee – Joey Deehan (Clara).

REFEREE WATCH

Joey Deehan had a good game and got most calls right. Both sides complained at some decisions but many of those seemed correct. David Kelly was penalised for throwing the ball in the 25^th minute, leading to an Eoghan Cahill point but it certainly looked a dodgy one. He was also right to take a free off Barry Harding after he barged into a player after being fouled moments later and the referee showed good awareness. He didn't give soft frees and there were no flash points.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Oisin Kelly's 46^th minute goal was worth the admission fee. It also ensured that Belmont would not be beaten as it gave them a 1-14 to 1-6 lead and they coasted home.

VENUE WATCH

St Rynagh's Hurling Club were customary professional, efficient and welcoming hosts while the Banagher pitch was in good order.

WHAT'S NEXT

Both sides now turn their attention to the championship in a couple of weeks time.

STATISTICS

Wides: Birr -8 (5 in first half); Belmont – 8 (3 in first half).

Yellow cards: Birr – 1 (Ben Miller); Belmont – 0.

Red cards: 0