Late points secure vital win for Ballinamere after terrific Tullamore fightback
Tullamore wipe out nine point lead to draw level but Ballinamere prevail at finish
Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Round 2
BALLINAMERE 1-22
TULLAMORE 0-21
BALLINAMERE left it late to secure their second victory in this year's Offaly Senior Hurling Championship after a terrific second half Tullamore fightback saw them wipe out a nine point lead only for Ballinamere to finish strongly with four unanswered points to seal the win.
A large crowd gathered in Ballinamere to witness the contest between neighbouring clubs, who had both secured victories in the first round of the championship and they weren't disappointed.
The sides were level five times in the first 14 minutes before Ballinamere began to make wind advantage count and they went six points clear approaching half time before they went in leading at the break by five points, 0-13 to 0-8.
Against the wind Ballinamere pushed seven clear early in the second half. Tullamore were finding it difficult to judge the wind and hit five wides early in the second half and missed the chance to make inroads into the lead. They were then caught for a Ballinamere goal and 13 minutes into the half found themselves trailing by 1-18 to 0-12.
It looked to be all over at that stage but nine unanswered points in 14 minutes brought Tullamore level with two minutes to go and the momentum looked to be with them. But Ballinamere dug deep and managed to wrest control back again and they hit four points to secure the win.
Following their opening round victory over Lusmagh, Ballinamere are now well on course to claiming their place in the knock out stages of the championship. They will be pleased with many aspects of their play but certainly won't be happy with the way they let Tullamore back into the game in the second half and they were very relieved to get over the line at the final whistle.
Tullamore certainly made a game of it in the second half and having drawn level late in the game will be disappointed that they got nothing out of it. With a victory over Shinrone behind them, they went into the game full of confidence but they will have to regroup now ahead of games with Belmont and Lusmagh to see if they can reach the knock out stages.
Ballinamere took their time to settle into the game as Tullamore started brightly into the wind. But once they did settle down they began to pick off the points and move ahead but a five point lead at half time wasn't insurmountable considering the strength of the wind. They played really well in the third quarter to push nine clear but then began to struggle to retain possession. Their puck out struggled to get past their half forward line and they gave away too many frees with Shane Dooley punishing them from placed balls.
However when the chips were down in the closing minutes they came up with the scores that secured the win, but it was much tighter than it could have been.
Tullamore showed a lot of grit to battle their way back into the game. They did miss chances which they will now rue, but they kept going and when they levelled after 58 minutes they looked the most likely winners but Ballinamere responded well. Tullamore didn't get enough of a return from play from their starting forwards. Shane Dooley contributed two thirds of their points, 13 of the 14 from placed balls, and a point from Martin Keogh was the only other score to come from the attack. Their other six points from play were shared by their midfield duo Mike Fox and Cormac Egan with three each.
Ballinamere lost Dan Bourke to injury picked up just before half time and he didn't come out for the second half and they will hope that isn't too serious. Ciaran Burke, Ross Ravenhill and Jack Fogarty played well in the Ballinamere defence, Sam Bourke had a good game in the middle of the field while in attack Joe Maher was outstanding with good support from Brian Duignan, Dan Ravenhill and Dan Bourke up to his injury.
Dylan Hensey, Niall Houlihan and Ger Crowe worked hard in the Tullamore defence, Mike Fox and Cormac Egan both made strong contributions from the middle of the field while they struggled to make an impact in attack, where Shane Dooley's free taking kept them very much in the game.
Mike Fox opened the scoring after just 38 seconds and half a minute later they were two up when Shane Dooley fired over a 20m free. Straight from the puck out Dan Bourke got Ballinamere's first point and Joe Maher levelled. Shane Dooley put Tullamore back in front from a free but Joe Maher levelled again. Martin Keogh and Brian Duignan swopped points before Shane Dooley's free put Tullamore in front for the final time after nine minutes.
Arron Hensey pulled off a brilliant save from Aaron Maher but the ball came back out to Cian Kinnarney who pointed. Brian Duignan and Shane Dooley exchanged points from frees, before Ross Ravenhill and Joe Maher moved Ballinamere two clear. Shane Dooley pulled one back from play but Ballinamere hit a purple patch as Brian Duignan pointed a '65' and Joe Maher, Sam Bourke, Dan Ravenhill and Dan Bourke put them six clear before a Shane Dooley free left five in it at the break, 0-13 to 0-8.
Joe Maher pointed again 20 seconds after the restart and Dan Ravenhill added another. Shane Dooley pointed a long range free but Aaron Maher replied at the other end. Tullamore missed a few chances but Cormac Egan did find the target before Brian Duignan and Shane Dooley exchanged frees again.
Then Ballinamere struck for the game's only goal. A quick free picked out Sam Bourke who passed to Brian Duignan and he fired low to the net. Mike Fox and Joe Maher swopped points and Ballinamere were nine clear, 1-18 to 0-12, 13 minutes into the half.
Shane Dooley pointed a '65' and two frees to get Tullamore moving before Cormac Egan hit two in quick succession as the crowd began to get behind them. Another free and '65' from Shane Dooley had the gap down to two and he then set up Niall Furlong but Mark Troy made a terrific save at the expense of another '65' which Shane Dooley pointed. Ballinamere had a couple of chances before Mike Fox lofted over a huge point to bring the sides level after 58 minutes.
Ballinamere knuckled down and Brian Duignan got their first score for 16 minutes to put them back in front. They then won a penalty when Luke Wyer was fouled and Dan Ravenhill drilled his effort over the bar. Joe Maher scored another terrific point before Brian Duignan sealed the win from a free.
MATCH ANALYSIS
THE TEAMS
BALLINAMERE: Mark Troy; Luke Nolan, Ciaran Burke, Ronan Cleary; Ross Ravenhill, Chris McDonald, Jack Fogarty; Sam Bourke, Cian Kinnarney; Brian Duignan, Joe Maher, Mike O'Brien; Dan Bourke, Aaron Maher, Dan Ravenhill. Subs. Luke Wyer (for Dan Bourke, half time), David Magner (for Ronan Cleary, half time).
TULLAMORE: Arron Hensey; Jack Daly, Dylan Hensey, Kevin Waters; Luke Egan, Niall Houlihan, Ger Crowe; Mike Fox, Cormac Egan; Peter Fox, James Houlihan, Martin Keogh; Niall Furlong, Shane Dooley, Diarmuid Egan. Subs. Aaron Leavy (for James Houlihan, 37 mins), Killian Wynne (for Peter Fox, 61 mins).
REFEREE: Shane Guinan (Drumcullen)
MAN OF THE MATCH
Shane Dooley's 14 points kept Tullamore in the game but the player who stood out was Joe Maher who scored seven points from play for Ballinamere in a tremendous display of shooting. He worked hard throughout the game and when the chips were down late on, he came up with a big point that helped seal the win.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Ballinamere had gone 16 minutes without a score as they saw a nine point lead wiped out before Brian Duignan put them back in front a minute from the end of normal time. It broke the spell and they quickly added three more to seal the win.
REFEREE WATCH
Shane Guinan was in control of the game throughout. He penalised any dissent on both sides by moving frees forward and did his best to let play flow, using the advantage well. Overall he did well and didn't impact the outcome.
WHAT’S NEXT
Ballinamere face Shinrone at Grant Heating St Brendan's Park, Birr on Saturday August 8th at 7pm while earlier that afternoon Tullamore play Belmont in Kilcormac at 3pm.
VENUE WATCH
There was a fine crowd present for the game and the Ballinamere club was well prepared for it. They had a good traffic management plan in operation getting traffic in and out and ensuring safe return to the public road afterwards. The pitch was in good order and all other arrangements were in place.
STATISTICS
Wides; Ballinamere 9 (7 in first half) Tullamore 10 (3 in first half)
Yellow Cards: Ballinamere 2 (Mike O'Brien, Joe Maher) Tullamore 1 (Dylan Hensey)
Black Cards: None
Red Cards: None
THE SCORERS
Ballinamere; Brian Duignan (1-6, 0-3 frees, 0-1 '65'), Joe Maher (0-7), Dan Ravenhill (0-3, 0-1 penalty), Dan Bourke (0-2), Cian Kinnarney, Ross Ravenhill, Sam Bourke, Aaron Maher (0-1 each).
Tullamore; Shane Dooley (0-14, 0-10 frees, 0-3 '65s), Mike Fox, Cormac Egan (0-3 each), Martin Keogh (0-1).