Similar topic for the intermediate football, so may as well have one for the Hurling.
Any predictions who will win it out? Birr seem to have used a lot of players in the senior hurling champ to date so this may rule them out as contenders. All the teams qualifed so far, except group 2 where Crinkle could still catch Killavilla. Not happy that the County board have fixed the group 2 final round games for tommorow night for 7.15, wont make it to see either of the games because of work, surely they could have been played on Saturday.
Anyway please comment, as people will know a lot more than me about this championship.
Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Only 6 teams left
Group Winners Ballinamere Ballyskenagh Birr
Runners up Banagher Killavilla Clara
Id say Skenagh would probably be favourites?
Group Winners Ballinamere Ballyskenagh Birr
Runners up Banagher Killavilla Clara
Id say Skenagh would probably be favourites?
Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
I saw Skenagh hurling against Carraig, they were very lucky to win. But they probably are the strongest team left in it.
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Over The Black Spot
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Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Have only seen a couple of games in the Intermediate Championship so wouldn't be able to comment on all the teams.
Would imagine that Skenagh are at an advantage with all their senior experience but are struggling for numbers the whole time so may be vulnerable. Murph is some player to have at that level though and along with Alan Midleton and the older Murphys they may be strong enough to get back up. Personally, I hope they do as they're a good club for Offaly hurling and it would be nice to see them give the fingers to all the lads that left them.
Rynaghs were looking strong but used 4 of their team in the senior against Coolderry and that will probably be enough to knock the stuffing out of their run. Birr are in a similiar boat and may just come up short aswell due to losing players.
I have seen Ballinamere and was slightly disappointed as I didn't think they were as good as all the talk. it may just have been one of those evenings but the didn't look like potential champions to me.
I haven't seen either Killavilla or Clara but have been told by a man who I reckon has some idea about hurling that he has seen Clara play and if they keep up the interest in the hurling, they are definitely capable of returning to senior.
Would imagine that Skenagh are at an advantage with all their senior experience but are struggling for numbers the whole time so may be vulnerable. Murph is some player to have at that level though and along with Alan Midleton and the older Murphys they may be strong enough to get back up. Personally, I hope they do as they're a good club for Offaly hurling and it would be nice to see them give the fingers to all the lads that left them.
Rynaghs were looking strong but used 4 of their team in the senior against Coolderry and that will probably be enough to knock the stuffing out of their run. Birr are in a similiar boat and may just come up short aswell due to losing players.
I have seen Ballinamere and was slightly disappointed as I didn't think they were as good as all the talk. it may just have been one of those evenings but the didn't look like potential champions to me.
I haven't seen either Killavilla or Clara but have been told by a man who I reckon has some idea about hurling that he has seen Clara play and if they keep up the interest in the hurling, they are definitely capable of returning to senior.
Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Ballinamere beat Killavilla by 3 points. Kilavilla missed 3 great goal chances, Michael Duignan came off the bench to inspire Ballinamere. Ballinamere have al ot of improving to do, but they are in the semis.
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Plain of the Herbs
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Ballinamere 0-14 Killavilla 1-8
Ballinamere qualified for the IHC but they had to come from six points in arrears early in the second half to do so, scoring six unanswered points during the final quarter.
Trailing 1-8 to 0-8 around the threee-quarter mark, two points from Emmet Molloy and a pointed free by Gerry Spollen had the level, 1-8 to 0-11. Molloy again, Nicholas Minnock and a Martin Óg Buggy free saw them home.
The Ballinamere attack revolved around Michael Duignan in that second half who the looked to hit with quick ball. Duignan is still a good reader of the game, gets out in front of his man and distributes well. Their defence was well in control, and they played a good possession game in defence where Stephen Weir dropped back to help out and used his speed to emerge with the ball before delivering quick to Duignan inside.
Killavilla’s adherence to the ground hurling credo cost them. A gameplan such as this was futile on a wet evening, indeed in a year such as this! They didn’t look to control the game at all which played into Ballinamere’s hands as they used their possession much better and were full value for their win.
Trailing 1-8 to 0-8 around the threee-quarter mark, two points from Emmet Molloy and a pointed free by Gerry Spollen had the level, 1-8 to 0-11. Molloy again, Nicholas Minnock and a Martin Óg Buggy free saw them home.
The Ballinamere attack revolved around Michael Duignan in that second half who the looked to hit with quick ball. Duignan is still a good reader of the game, gets out in front of his man and distributes well. Their defence was well in control, and they played a good possession game in defence where Stephen Weir dropped back to help out and used his speed to emerge with the ball before delivering quick to Duignan inside.
Killavilla’s adherence to the ground hurling credo cost them. A gameplan such as this was futile on a wet evening, indeed in a year such as this! They didn’t look to control the game at all which played into Ballinamere’s hands as they used their possession much better and were full value for their win.
Pat Donegan. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.
"Offaly's hurling is exact and abrasive: full of assurance on the ball, devoid of fumbling and slicing and sod-busting". Kevin Cashman RIP (September 1994).
"Offaly's hurling is exact and abrasive: full of assurance on the ball, devoid of fumbling and slicing and sod-busting". Kevin Cashman RIP (September 1994).
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Over The Black Spot
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Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
For anyone that’s interested, the first of the Intermediate Hurling semi-finals took place on Saturday afternoon in Lusmagh with Birr emerging victorious against a wasteful Clara.
Birr hurled up the field with the breeze at their backs in the opening half but were slow to settle with Clara making the early running thanks mainly to some very good shooting from Chris Flanagan from placed balls. Flanagan also neatly finished to the bottom corner of the net from about 20m out after Birr full-back Garrett Doorley let the incoming ball slip through his fingers having got out in front.
Birr came into the game midway through the half and with Declan Pilkington exerting more of an influence at 11, the ball was beginning to break for Tomas Bolger and Liam Power on the inside line. Powers physical presence drew foul after foul which Bolger converted, culminating in a penalty which was drilled to the net by the young minor. Birr went in at the break leading 1-10 to 1-4.
Haing looked like they were beaten at the break, Clara slowly ate into the lead on the restart and drew level with a little over ten minutes to play. Birr were finding scores hard to come by and had it not been for a couple of handy missed frees and some unbelievably bad shooting from open play, Clara would have had the game wrapped up at this stage.
This was just the invitation that Birr needed and Bolger and Darragh Molloy popped up with a brace apiece to settle things. Again, these scores came after the redeployment of Declan Pilkington at 11 having been sent to the edge of the square at the beginning of the half. While he was gone, Ivan Melia was controlling the game and managed to chip in with a monster point from inside his own half which should have been the launching pad for a Clara win. Even after Birr had settled the ship, Clara contrived to miss at least 8 or 10 easy scoring chances (not an exaggeration) and through a combination of young Mick Mulrooney and inept finishing, they also saw some good goal chances go a begging.
The final score read 1-17 to 2-11 in favour of the men from southern capital (as we to call it!!)
For Birr, Mulrooney was solid in goals. The full back line of Franks, Doorley and Paddy Ryan were solid enough but will need to be a good deal tighter against better forwards. Much the same could probably be said for the half-back line although very little came past the solid Barry Ryan at 6. The midfield duo of Mick Cleere and James Roddy were pretty ineffectual and will need to improve. While Declan Pilkington may not have the legs he once had, the brain is still ticking along nicely and his use of the ball was very good. Tomas Bolger was the best of the forwards and Darragh Molloy chipped in with a couple of good scores at a crucial stage after being largely anonymous for 45 minutes or so. Liam Power battled hard and created some good scores but went out of the game when moved to the 40. Kenny Spillane was out of the game for long periods at top of the right and was lucky to see out the hour. Keith Hehir began the game at left-half forward before moving to the corner but failed to make any impression and for one who featured so prominently in the tail end of last years senior campaign, he was very disappointing. The better quality of ball coming into him at senior level obviously suits him and maybe he would have taken some of the chances Aaron coughed later in the evening.
Without knowing many of the Clara players, it was plain to see that much depended on Ivan Melia and Chris Flanagan. Marius Stones caused problems at 13 or 15 (can't remember) but didn’t find the range as much as he should have. Ross Brady (I think) got a couple of scores from wing forward but failed to find the range with a couple of easy chances when the game was in the fire.
A quick footnote. The Clara team (or officials mainly) done themselves no favours in constantly berating the referee who actually seemed to give them most of the 50:50s and it was disappointing to see an inter-county referee so openly abuse a match official. He was just up from the stand but we could hear him down near the gate, terrible stuff.
Birr hurled up the field with the breeze at their backs in the opening half but were slow to settle with Clara making the early running thanks mainly to some very good shooting from Chris Flanagan from placed balls. Flanagan also neatly finished to the bottom corner of the net from about 20m out after Birr full-back Garrett Doorley let the incoming ball slip through his fingers having got out in front.
Birr came into the game midway through the half and with Declan Pilkington exerting more of an influence at 11, the ball was beginning to break for Tomas Bolger and Liam Power on the inside line. Powers physical presence drew foul after foul which Bolger converted, culminating in a penalty which was drilled to the net by the young minor. Birr went in at the break leading 1-10 to 1-4.
Haing looked like they were beaten at the break, Clara slowly ate into the lead on the restart and drew level with a little over ten minutes to play. Birr were finding scores hard to come by and had it not been for a couple of handy missed frees and some unbelievably bad shooting from open play, Clara would have had the game wrapped up at this stage.
This was just the invitation that Birr needed and Bolger and Darragh Molloy popped up with a brace apiece to settle things. Again, these scores came after the redeployment of Declan Pilkington at 11 having been sent to the edge of the square at the beginning of the half. While he was gone, Ivan Melia was controlling the game and managed to chip in with a monster point from inside his own half which should have been the launching pad for a Clara win. Even after Birr had settled the ship, Clara contrived to miss at least 8 or 10 easy scoring chances (not an exaggeration) and through a combination of young Mick Mulrooney and inept finishing, they also saw some good goal chances go a begging.
The final score read 1-17 to 2-11 in favour of the men from southern capital (as we to call it!!)
For Birr, Mulrooney was solid in goals. The full back line of Franks, Doorley and Paddy Ryan were solid enough but will need to be a good deal tighter against better forwards. Much the same could probably be said for the half-back line although very little came past the solid Barry Ryan at 6. The midfield duo of Mick Cleere and James Roddy were pretty ineffectual and will need to improve. While Declan Pilkington may not have the legs he once had, the brain is still ticking along nicely and his use of the ball was very good. Tomas Bolger was the best of the forwards and Darragh Molloy chipped in with a couple of good scores at a crucial stage after being largely anonymous for 45 minutes or so. Liam Power battled hard and created some good scores but went out of the game when moved to the 40. Kenny Spillane was out of the game for long periods at top of the right and was lucky to see out the hour. Keith Hehir began the game at left-half forward before moving to the corner but failed to make any impression and for one who featured so prominently in the tail end of last years senior campaign, he was very disappointing. The better quality of ball coming into him at senior level obviously suits him and maybe he would have taken some of the chances Aaron coughed later in the evening.
Without knowing many of the Clara players, it was plain to see that much depended on Ivan Melia and Chris Flanagan. Marius Stones caused problems at 13 or 15 (can't remember) but didn’t find the range as much as he should have. Ross Brady (I think) got a couple of scores from wing forward but failed to find the range with a couple of easy chances when the game was in the fire.
A quick footnote. The Clara team (or officials mainly) done themselves no favours in constantly berating the referee who actually seemed to give them most of the 50:50s and it was disappointing to see an inter-county referee so openly abuse a match official. He was just up from the stand but we could hear him down near the gate, terrible stuff.
Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
How come Mick O'Hara is not hurling with Ballyskenagh anymore? Did he transfer?
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Plain of the Herbs
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Re: Mick O'Hara
Transferred to Bruff (I think) at the start of last year, Rat. T'was at the same time Franks went to Kilkenny.
the rat wrote:How come Mick O'Hara is not hurling with Ballyskenagh anymore? Did he transfer?
Pat Donegan. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.
"Offaly's hurling is exact and abrasive: full of assurance on the ball, devoid of fumbling and slicing and sod-busting". Kevin Cashman RIP (September 1994).
"Offaly's hurling is exact and abrasive: full of assurance on the ball, devoid of fumbling and slicing and sod-busting". Kevin Cashman RIP (September 1994).
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Gustavus Adolphus
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Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
I often wondered what was in the air up there in Ballyskenagh with the number of players transferring out of the club. Not just bit part players either but inter county standard players who would be the anchors of any club team.
It’s a pity that it happened to such a small club as Ballyskenagh because if they held on to all the players from the time Aidan Franks went to Birr up to the more recent transfer of Carney to Shinrone, they would still be involved in the business end of the senior championship each year. Teams with players of that calibre would add to the competitiveness for knock out places, which could only improve standards in the county.
It's tough on small clubs like ballyskenagh to get the numbers and when they lose players like the ones they have lost over the last couple of years it makes it all the more challenging. For that reason it would be great to see them fight their way back up to senior and I hope they take a step on that journey by advancing through the semi final this weekend.
It’s a pity that it happened to such a small club as Ballyskenagh because if they held on to all the players from the time Aidan Franks went to Birr up to the more recent transfer of Carney to Shinrone, they would still be involved in the business end of the senior championship each year. Teams with players of that calibre would add to the competitiveness for knock out places, which could only improve standards in the county.
It's tough on small clubs like ballyskenagh to get the numbers and when they lose players like the ones they have lost over the last couple of years it makes it all the more challenging. For that reason it would be great to see them fight their way back up to senior and I hope they take a step on that journey by advancing through the semi final this weekend.
Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
I would expect the winners to come from this weekend's semi final although looking at the birr team it is not too bad for a team that won the previous year ( and so had less intermediates this year), Skenagh should beat ballinamere, who can either be brilliant or very poor, when duignan hurls they are a much better team.
Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Skenagh and Ballinamere drew in a thriller. Missed the first half because I turned up in Kinnity only to find out it was changed to Banagher! Many others made the same mistake
Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Any truth that Brendan Murphy didnt bother to turn up for the game?? Ballinamere should definately win the replay from the reports i hear???
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hymacpilot
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Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
no truth
Brendan murphy works crazy hours as junior doc was totally on for the match
Aidan franks is the captain and transferred no where
eoin franks went to moyne templetuhy
mick ohara went to bruff limerick
two carneys gone to shinrone
david franks with carrig shock
donal franks with birr
they also have transferred in great players like tony riordan (the rock) from cork
skenagh will pull tru fine
Brendan murphy works crazy hours as junior doc was totally on for the match
Aidan franks is the captain and transferred no where
eoin franks went to moyne templetuhy
mick ohara went to bruff limerick
two carneys gone to shinrone
david franks with carrig shock
donal franks with birr
they also have transferred in great players like tony riordan (the rock) from cork
skenagh will pull tru fine
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hymacpilot
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Re: Intermediate Hurling Championship.
replay in banagher 12.00 coming sunday