Belmont make winning start after a strong finish
Determined Lusmagh provide stern test but Belmont edge away in closing stages
Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Round 2
BELMONT 1-22
LUSMAGH 1-17
BELMONT were made to work very hard before they recorded a hard earned victory against a battling Lusmagh side in an entertaining Offaly senior hurling championship game in Moystown on Saturday afternoon.
Belmont had a bye in the first round and were the last team to make their introduction to the championship and they made it a winning one as they finally pulled away from a determined Lusmagh side in the final quarter.
Lusmagh were much more competitive in this game than in their opening round defeat to Ballinamere and their performance will give them great encouragement ahead of their last two games. They were without a number of players for this game, including county player Ruairi Kelly who has an injured hamstring, but they have a bye in the next round and with four weeks to their next game, will hope that some of their injuries will clear up.
It was Lusmagh who made the brightest start to the game with the opening three points and with the wind behind them, they were on top in the opening quarter as they built up a 0-8 to 0-2 lead.
A Belmont goal after 17 minutes finally stirred the home team and they came much more into the game and they got back on level terms by the half time break, 1-7 to 0-10.
The sides shared points early in the second half and just when it looked like Belmont might be edging clear, Lusmagh struck for a levelling goal at the start of the final quarter. However, Belmont took control from there as they hit four in a row to move clear and although Lusmagh did their best to keep in touch with a couple of points, it was the home side who moved clear and were glad to record a five point win.
Belmont were slow to settle into the game but the more it progressed the sharper they were beginning to look. They didn't have the advantage of a first round game, so a bit of ring rustiness could be excused. They shot a total of 14 wides, which would be a concern and some of the shots did seem to be a bit of hit and hope.
However they did find the range with a bit more ease than their opponents. Ten different players contributed to the tally, nine of them scoring from play, and that ability to pick off scores from around the field was a decisive factor.
In contrast just three players scored for Lusmagh with Paul Kinsella dominating the scoring for them with an impressive 1-13, 0-12 of that from placed balls. He had the complete set – scoring from play, frees, sideline cut and a '65'. But their dependence on him for scores and mainly from frees, highlighted a problem for them in the scoring department.
However Lusmagh do deserve huge credit for battling as they did until the final whistle. With smaller resources than most clubs, to be down a number of players stretches them to the limit, so to be still very much in contention in the final quarter against a team who would have ambitions of featuring in the closing stages of the championship, is a tribute to the efforts of last year's senior B champions.
Belmont will have those ambitions of finally breaking their semi-final hoodoo and making a county final for the first time and they will be pleased to have got their campaign up and running with a good win. This will give them confidence and momentum and they will be eyeing a place now in the knock out stages.
Patrick Taaffe, Conor Grennan and Jack Clancy did well in the Belmont defence, Ronan Flynn was busy around the middle of the field, while in attack David Nally was the stand out player with good support from Oisin Kelly and Paddy Clancy.
Morgan Glynn, Eimhin Kelly and Eibheann Kelly put in a good shift in the Lusmagh defencce, Graham Lynch worked hard in the middle of the field while Paul Kinsella provided the bulk of the scores with Fionn O'Meara and Darrren Healy providing good support.
Lusmagh started well with Paul Kinsella pointing inside the first minute. Graham Lynch quickly added a second before Kinsella pointed another free. Belmont got off the mark with a free from Mark Egan in the fifth minute but Lusmagh continued to push and Paul Kinsella pointed two more frees and sent a sideline cut between the posts after 12 minutes to leave them 0-6 to 0-1 in front. Conor Grennan scored a fine point from inside him own half into the wind but Graham Lynch and another Paul Kinsella free left Lusmagh 0-8 to 0-2 in front entering the second quarter.
Belmont then struck for their goal. Paddy Clancy did well to win the ball in the right corner and he headed goalwards before crossing to Adam Nugent and he batted the ball to the net. Paul Kinsella did reply with a free from inside his own half but Belmont grew into the game and David Nally pointed two from play, Mark Egan pointed a free and Paddy Clancy also pointed to bring the sides level after 26 minutes.
Paul Kinsella put Lusmagh back in front from a '65' but a David Nally free levelled again. Lusmagh did have a goal chance just before the break when Paul Kinsella and Fionn O'Meara combined to set up Eoin Quinlan but Damien Egan made a good save and the sides went in level, 1-7 to 0-10.
Lusmagh went back in front just 15 seconds after the restart with a Paul Kinsella point but Oisin Kelly and David Nally added points to put Belmont in front for the first time. However Lusmagh were quickly level when Fionn O'Meara pointed.
David Nally edged Belmont back in front before Mark Egan and Paul Kinsella exchanged points from frees. Another Egan free and a Paddy Clancy point moved Belmont a goal clear and Paul Kinsella and David Nally swopped points from frees to leave it 1-14 to 0-14 midway through the half.
Lusmagh weren't done and after 46 minutes Eibheann Kelly lofted a high ball goalwards, dropping about 15m out. Damien Egan advanced as Eoin Quinlan and a defender challenged for the dropping ball. The ball broke away from them and headed goalwards but hit the base of the post but Paul Kinsella was following in to finish to the net.
Belmont responded well and Mark Egan (two frees), Ronan Flynn and David Nally all pointed to push them four clear. Paul Kinsella pulled one back from a free and after Oisin Kelly and Fionn O'Meara traded points, David Kelly and Brian Carroll gave Belmont a five point advantage. Paul Kinsella pointed a late free but Leon Fox had the last say for Belmont to give them a five point winning margin.
MATCH ANALYSIS
THE TEAMS
BELMONT: Damien Egan; Aron McCabe, Ciaran Cahill, Patrick Taaffe; Leon Fox, Conor Grennan, Jack Clancy; Ronan Flynn, Shane Nally; Oisin Kelly, Mark Egan, David Kelly; David Nally, Paddy Clancy, Adam Nugent. Subs. Brian Carroll (for Adam Nugent, 49 mins), Colin Egan (for Shane Nally, 49 mins), Darragh Flynn (for Mark Egan, 56 mins).
LUSMAGH: Alan Kelly; Eibheann Kelly, Andy Flynn, Rory Quinlan; Morgan Glynn, Eimhin Kelly, Lorcan Troy; Daire Temple, Graham Lynch; Eoin Quinlan, Darren Healy, Fionn O'Meara; Luke Bowe, Paul Kinsella, James Kelly.
REFEREE: Kieran Dooley (Drumcullen).
MAN OF THE MATCH
Lusmagh's Paul Kinsella deserves mention for his tally of 1-13 but when it came down to it David Nally was the difference between the sides. He scored seven points, five of them from play, and was fouled for a number of the other Belmont points. He just showed that bit of class in a tight game and essentially his five points from play were what separated the sides at full time.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Belmont's response to Lusmagh's goal was pivotal. Lusmagh had just drawn level for the fifth time with that goal at the start of the final quarter and the game was in the melting pot but four points in four minutes from Belmont put them back in the driving seat and they were able to see out the game from there.
REFEREE WATCH
Kieran Dooley handled the game well in his usual unfussy way. He communciated well with the players and management on his decisions. He penalised a number of players on both sides for overcarrying and was consistent in his decision making.
WHAT’S NEXT
Belmont's next game is against Tullamore in Kilcormac on Saturday August 8th, while Lusmagh have a bye in round three and their next game will also be against Tullamore, on Saturday August 22nd in Banagher.
VENUE WATCH
The pitch in Moystown was in good condition for the game and the Belmont club hosted the game well. There were plenty of stewards on duty marhsalling parking and it was good to see plenty of them still on duty after the game ensuring traffic got back on the main road safely.
STATISTICS
Wides; Belmont 14 (7 in first half) Lusmagh 5 (5 in first half)
Yellow Cards: Belmont 0 Lusmagh 2 (Graham Lynch, Eimhin Kelly)
Black Cards: None
Red Cards: None
THE SCORERS
Belmont; David Nally (0-7, 0-2 frees), Mark Egan (0-6, frees), Adam Nugent (1-0), Paddy Clancy, Oisin Kelly (0-2 each), Conor Grennan, Ronan Flynn, David Kelly, Brian Carroll, Leon Fox (0-1 each).
Lusmagh; Paul Kinsella (1-13, 0-10 frees, 0-1 sideline cut, 0-1 '65'), Graham Lynch, Fionn O'Meara (0-2 each).