Impressive Ballinamere leave flat Shinrone staring early exit in face

PRODUCING their best hurling and giving their best performance in two years, Ballinamere laid down a very impressive marker of intent with a convincing, professional victory over a tired looking Shinrone in the Offaly Senior Hurling Championship at Birr on Saturday evening.

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 3

Ballinamere 3-28

Shinrone 2-23

With three wins from three, Ballinamere are safely into the knockout stages and their meeting with Belmont will determine whether it is the semi or quarter-final route for them.

This was an excellent display by Ballinamere who were the better team almost the whole way against a team who have been in three of the last four finals, winning their first and only title in 2022 but they just haven't got going this year.

Shocked by Tullamore in the first round, Shinrone have now lost two games and closing wins over Belmont and Lusmagh may not be enough to save their bacon.

All of that will be determined down the road and while Shinrone fought hard and almost got back into it late on, they were chasing their tail the whole way and have absolutely no complaints at the outcome.

The result was a fair one and Ballinamere played some top quality hurling in all sectors. 3-28 was an excellent return and their clinical finishing ensured that their win was a comfortable enough one. Shinrone missed too much to win this. They had ten wides in the first half and many of these were fairly harmless ones. They were more efficient in the second half, only hitting six wides but some of these should have been points and in a game that they were chasing, each miss was a dagger in their heart.

Ballinamere will be thrilled with the win. They had “only” beaten Tullamore and Lusmagh in their opening two games and this was a major examination of their credentials. With Kilcormac-Killoughey still hot title favourites but looking more vulnerable than they have done in the last three years, there is a window of opportunity this year and Ballinamere are fully aware that they may not get too many openings to win the first ever senior hurling title that they are craving.

The quality of their hurling commanded complete respect here as they were defensively very good, Sam Bourke had an outstanding game at midfield and Brian Duignan and Joe Maher shot the lights out up front with Dan Ravenhill and Aaron Maher contributing very handsomely.

The only downside for Ballinamere is that their lack of depth in strength was painfully obvious. They introduced only one sub, Ronan Cleary and that was because of an injury to Chris McDonald. They were crying out for the injection of fresh legs and new impetus in the closing quarter but didn't throw anyone in – the team was going well but a couple of players were gone into the red, another couple were making a very limited contribution and they really should have been introducing subs.

Shinrone brought in four and this almost brought them back from the dead and while Ballinamere got away with it on this occasion, there will be days when they won't and it is a problem for them – they were missing the injured Kevin McDermott and Dan Bourke here and both these players would have made a huge difference in this regard. They would have started, leaving other players on the line to come in and Ballinamere will need them back for knockout hurling or their dreams could well go up in smoke again.

It is almost unfair to pick any holes in a really good win for Ballinamere but their manager Sean Treacy won't need any reporter or anyone else to highlight this.

Ballinamere are clearly in very good health. Beaten in the 2024 final, they stuttered and stumbled throughout 2025 but have found their form again and they are serious title contenders.

The winners led a powerful foundation in the first half, leading by 2-15 to 0-12 at half time. The opening quarter provided fantastic entertainment with both teams running at each other at pace and scoring freely. A super fourth minute goal from the brilliant Brian Duignan helped Ballinamere to a 1-3 to no score lead but Shinrone got going after this. They got the gap back to three points on three occasions before Adam Landy's free made it 1-7 to 0-8 in the 13th minute.

The Maher brothers, Aaron and Joe were fantastic in the first half, scoring three points apiece and this was a huge contribution from two players who lie below the radar with the star players all around them but are absolutely crucial to Ballinamere's prospects. Points from them helped Ballinamere into a 1-12 to 0-10 lead after 20 minutes. Jason Sampson and Adam Landy (free) brought it down to three for a fourth time after 25 minutes but Ballinamere struck for a devastating 1-3 without reply before the interval.

Brian Duignan got a great goal with the two minutes of injury time just up and those late scores effectively won the day for Ballinamere, leaving Shinrone nine behind.

Three very poor early second half wides from Ciaran Cleary, Eoin Bailey O'Brien and Dan Ravenhill kept Shinrone in the traps and Dan Ravenhill's 34th minute point pushed Ballinamere 2-17 to 0-13 ahead. A great run of five in a row left Shinrone 2-17 to 0-18 behind after 39 minutes and Ballinamere were in bother but responded superbly. In a great spell of relentless pressure, they hit six points in a row for a 2-23 to 0-18 lead after 47 minutes.

It was at this stage that Ballinamere needed fresh legs and Shinrone found another wind. They fought tenaciously, scoring 1-3 without reply, Paul Cleary netting the goal in the 51st minute to make it 1-21 to 2-23.

Brian Duignan and Dan Ravenhill dropped chances short as Ballinamere rocked precariously and impressive sub, Conor Doughan made it a four point game with seven minutes to go.

Brian Duignan's third goal in the 53rd minute sealed the deal for Ballinamere. It was the least impressive of his three but as important as any of them as his half hit shot crept in over the line in a quick attack after Doughan's point. Paul Cleary got another point for Shinrone to make it 3-23 to 1-23 but their battle was fought and Ballinamere sailed home with the last five points while Paul Cleary's 62nd minute goal was only of interest to the statisicians.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Joe Maher (Ballinamere): Ballinamere had contenders all over the field. Ciaran Burke was one in full back and there was so much to admire in the way he controlled the defence. Ross Ravenhill had a magnificent second half when moved to centre half back while Sam Bourke was a serious contender at midfield. Bourke scored three points and impressed with his foraging and incisive running.

Brian Duignan was on fire up front. 3-3 of his 3-8 came from play and under normal criteria, that would make him a shoe in for man of the match. Apart from his scores, he contributed a lot more, winning great ball and taking on his man at every opportunity. Also excellent for Durrow footballers last week, Duignan is clearly hungry to impress and his form augurs well for Ballinamere's prospects.

Joe Maher is the selection on this occasion. He scored a whopping 0-8 from play, five in the second half and he was wonderfully opportunistic. He went over on his ankle before half time, receiving treatment and it looked like he would be called ashore. Ballinamere, however, left him on and persisted with him, even when he was clearly hampered by his leg and unable to close down players. In one way, it showed a lack of faith in the subs but in another, it showed complete belief in Maher and he justified it as he picked off three clinical late points.

Ballinamere will be delighted with the display of Joe Maher and brother Aaron. They have been hurling for a few years now and have occasionally been questioned by Ballinamere supporters but are hugely important to them. Improving them, getting them to maximise their potential, is crucial to their prospects and both current and previous senior managements and the players have devoted themselves to this. They are playing the best hurling of their lives and scored 11 points between them here, though Aaron was not as prominent in the second half after a super first.

Shinrone just haven't got going but had some very good displays here. Paul Cleary was their best player, scoring 1-5 from play and leading their charge up front. Jason Sampson had an excellent first half at the fulcrum of their attack and Adam Landy took his scores well. Dan Doughan did a lot of hurling in their defence and Dara Maher sprayed some quality ball around in the second half. Luke Watkins worked hard to try and limit Brian Duignan's influence when brought back while Conor Doughan made a very positive impact when he came on but it was not Shinrone's day and they were overwhelmed by slick, highly motivated opponents.

THE SCORERS

Ballinamere: Brian Duignan 3-8 (5f), Joe Maher 0-8, Sam Bourke, Dan Ravenhill and Aaron Maher 0-3 each, Mike O'Brien 0-2, Jack Fogarty 0-1.

Shinrone: Adam Landy 1-7 (6f), Paul Cleary 1-5, Jason Sampson 0-3, DJ McLoughlin, Conor Doughan and James O'Sullivan 0-2 each, Dara Maher and Darragh Landy 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

BALLINAMERE: Mark Troy; Luke Nolan, Ciaran Burke, Cian Kinnarney; Ross Ravenhill, Ciaran McDonald, Jack Fogarty; Sam Bourke, David Magner; Luke Wyer, Dan Ravenhill, Mike O'Brien; Joe Maher, Brian Duignan, Aaron Maher. Subs – Ronan Cleary for McDonald, inj. (31m),

SHINRONE: Eamon Cleary; Gearoid Maher, James O'Sullivan, Peter Cleary; Dan Doughan, Killian Sampson, Dara Maher; Luke Watkins, Darragh Landy; Adam Landy, Jason Sampson, DJ McLoughlin; Paul Cleary, Ciaran Cleary, Eoin Bailey-O'Brien. Subs – Conor Doughan for Ciaran Cleary (41m), Adrian Cleary for O'Sullivan (45m), Sean Cleary for McLoughlin (46m), Donal Morkan for O'Bailey-O'Brien (46m),

Referee – Shane Guinan, Drumcullen.

REFEREE WATCH

Frees were certainly hard earned but referee Shane Guinan was very consistent with this. The Drumcullen man had a good game and got the big calls right, communicating well with his officials.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Brian Duignan's goal in first half injury time was a big moment as it gave Ballinamere a huge nine point cushion. His hat-trick in the 53rd minute was as important as it reopened a six point gap at a stage when Shinrone were threatening a snatch and grab raid.

VENUE WATCH

Attending games in Birr is an enjoyable experience and the club hosted a double bill very well. All boxes were ticked and their pitch looked good.

Ballinamere's Dan Ravenhill was listed as number 11 but wore number 10 – that just shouldn't happen and is a basic for a club to get right.

WHAT'S NEXT

Shinrone host Belmont while Ballinamere have their bye in round 4.

STATISTICS

Wides: Ballinamere - 10 (4 in first half); Shinrone – 16 (10 in first half).

Yellow cards: Shinrone – 2 (Luke Watkins, DJ McLoughlin); Ballinamere – 0.

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0