Tullamore book final berth with win over Ballyskenach-Killavilla

TULLAMORE have booked their spot in the final of the Junior A Hurling Championship after a four point victory over Ballyskenach-Killavilla in Kinnitty on Saturday. 

Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Junior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Tullamore 1-10

Ballyskenagh-Killavilla 0-9

A windy start to the day and one that was a challenging one to say the least for both sets of players but it was Tullamore who rode the wave the best as they were the better side over the course of the 60 minutes. 

Storm Amy was certainly playing her part early on, with both sides struggling to strike the ball any large distance due to the wind, but we did the opening score of the game thanks to a 4th minute free from Cormac Franks from in round midfield, with Ballyskenach-Killavilla playing the first half with the wind advantage. 

It felt early on that scores from play were going to be hard got, with Tullamore’s opening score after 11 minutes from a Paul Kelly free was soon cancelled out by a Liam O’Riordon 65 to give his side the lead once again. 

Both sides struggled with their shooting from play, but in fairness shooting in the wind they had to contend with wasn’t the simplest of tasks, with the wind playing games of its own in dictating which way the ball will float in the air. Colm Woodlock finally got the game’s opening score from play in the 17th minute to level proceedings, Rian Lee opening his account with his sides first from play in the 26th minute. 

Despite the scoreboard being limited from a scoring perspective, there was nothing simple for either side, as both were hitting hard and chasing every ball available and hunting in packs to win vital possession. Both full back lines were on top and not giving anything simple away. 

Paul Kelly levelled the game with a free and that was all the action for the first 30 minutes as the sides went in 0-3 each with plenty left in the tank for the second half. 

Tullamore came out the better side in the early stages of the second half as Luke Duffy and Paul Kelly added the opening few scores, before Cormac Franks’ free reduced the gap to just a point once again. 

The moment of the game came just a few minutes later as Shane Kelly scored an outrageous goal in which he flicked the ball in the air over the head of Alan Franks which required unbelievable skill and this gave Tullamore the incentive going forward. 

Ballyskenach-Killavilla weren’t going away though as they registered the next three points from back to back to back frees from Liam O’Riordon and Cormac Franks, before Tullamore added on to their goal with a Paul Kelly placed ball leaving it 1-6 to 0-7 heading into the final 15 minutes.  

Thomas Grace’s point extended Tullamore’s lead back to three before Stephen Murphy’s chance at goal was just wide of the post. 

Liam O’Riordon once again drew a foul and tapped over a free to leave it at just a point, but Tullamore responded with back to back scores of their own through a Kelly free and a point from substitute Niall McCabe, leaving Ballyskenach-Killavilla with work to do in the final five minutes. 

Despite a long range free from Cormac Franks, it was Tullamore who kept on the pressure as Cillian Martin made it a four point game with just two minutes left and the momentum was all on Tullamore’s side as they managed to see the game out and secure their place in this years final. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Mark Grennan (Tullamore): Paul Kelly was good with his frees on a day when a good free taker was needed, and the same could be said for Cormac Franks and Liam O’Riordon. 

Mark Grennan for me was outstanding at full back. He was hard hitting, brave in the tackle and lead from the front.  

THE SCORERS

Tullamore: Paul Kelly (5frees) 0-5, Shane Kelly 1-0, Colm Woodlock, Thomas Grace, Luke Duffy, Niall McCabe and Cillian Martin 0-1 each.

Ballyskenach-Killavilla: Liam O’Riordon (3frees, 1 65) and Cormac Franks (3frees) 0-4 each, Rian Lee 0-1 . 

THE TEAMS

TULLAMORE: Arron Hensey; Shane Longworth, Mark Grennan, Eoghain Spain; Eoghan Geoghegan, Robbie Hand, Kevin Mann; Gary Leavy, William Grace; Thomas Grace, Cillian Martin, Shane Kelly; Colm Woodlock (C), Luke Duffy, Paul Kelly . Subs– Niall McCabe for Woodlock (52m) . 

BALLYSKENACH-KILLAVILLA: Alan Franks; Niall O’Connor, Fearghus Hannon, Conor Dooley; Robert Gunnell, Ger Delaney, Paddy Delaney; Cormac Franks, Brian Murphy; Cian Donovan, Sean Delaney (C), Liam O’Riordon; Rian Lee, Cian Doyle, Sean Harnett. Subs–Stephen Murphy for O’Riordon (20m, Blood Sub), Stephen Murphy for Donovan (26m), Emmet Middleton for Gunnell (HT), Neil Hennessy for Doyle (43m), Darragh Quinlan for Murphy (49m), Tadhg Maher for Hartnett (56m). 

Referee – Declan Cooke, Crinkill.

REFEREE WATCH

Declan Cooke took charge of this encounter and didn’t put a foot wrong, it wasn't a dirty game, no cards dished out and the game was played in good spirits. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Just for the skill alone, Shane Kelly’s 37th minute goal was a touch of class and was a goal worthy of being on any compilation online, it was a beautiful flick into the net and was a big turning point in the game.

VENUE WATCH

Kinnitty hosted the game on Saturday afternoon. Despite the windy conditions, the game was played in good spirits and there was plenty of parking around and the pitch was in good condition especially given the rain and thunderstorms we’ve experienced over the last week. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Ballyskenach-Killavilla will play in this year’s Junior A decider, while it’s the end of the season for Tullamore.

STATISTICS

Wides: Tullamore –  7 (3 in first half); Ballyskenach-Killavilla– 9 (6 in first half).

Yellow cards: 0

Red cards: 0