By: Mary Dunne
Molloy Precast & Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Final
Kilcormac/Killoughey: 0-19
Ballinamere: 0-17
Kilcormac/Killoughey added another leaf to their every growing history book as they collected the Sean Robbins Cup for the fourth time in a row on Sunday last when they saw off the fancied Ballinamere side in Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore.
This was a real war of attrition that never really came to any major life and it really was only at the end when their backs were totally to the wall that Ballinamere piled on the pressure that brought somewhat of an exciting end to the clash.
KK came out on top with only two to spare in the end, but their win was more comfortable really than the final score line suggest. At times throughout the second half they led by six points on a few different occasions, and always looked like they were going to win, but they did leave the gap open and there were a number of anxious moments at the end as Ballinamere battled right to the final whistle.
Many had KK’s demise written about this year. Hampered by injuries in the early rounds, they certainly did looked like the polished side we had all become accustomed to. Lining out minus Charlie Mitchell all year, Adam Screeney for part of the year and their captain Jordan Quinn who picked up an injury in the group game against St Rynagh’s, they were seen to be wavering.
But in reality apart from their opening game against Coolderry where they fell short they were like a fine wine, who just got better and better the more they year played out, they regrouped brilliantly and once again showed exactly why they are the County Champions once again.
KK have been the story of the Offaly Hurling Champions since they won their first title a mere fourteen years ago. In 2012 they finally broke the heartache and hoodoo of collecting a senior title and from there they really have flourished collecting eight since that win.
Their hunger and drive for success has to be admired and like their footballing counterparts Tullamore, they really are living through a golden era for their club.
For Ballinamere this one again is a heartbreaking loss. So many had seen it as their year that they would final reach the Promised Land, but on Sunday, they just feel short and the weight of expectation and anticipation on their shoulders proved to be too much.
They never really got going. They had played with such vigor and drive in the group campaigns and on Sunday they never really got out of the blocks and they were more than matched in key areas around the field.
In memory this was one of the most eagerly awaited and anticipated finals as Ballinamere and Kilcormac/Killoughey took to the field on Sunday last in a bid to see who would bring home the Sean Robbins Cup for 2026.
There is no doubt, it was the meeting of the cream of crop as the reigning and four and in row seeking Offaly kingpins KK came up again the young guns Ballinamere who were hunting to make history of their own in collecting the Title for the first time in their clubs history.
The weight of expectation certainly on the shoulders of Ballinamere, they have proven so many times that this group of young players have come of age and there is no doubt they will have learned so much from their 2024 final loss to the same side.
Sunday very much was about the key battles on the field and who would hold the upper hand. Dan Bourke has been without doubt one of Ballinamere’s best players this year and on Sunday Ter Guinan who also have been a player of note for KK took up the mantle of trying to hold him and certainly early on it was one of the duals to watch.
Brian Duignan who really has been the talisman for Ballinamere all year was sitting nicely on the edge of the square and with Tom Spain and Cillian Kiely issued with the anchoring job they sat in front and behind the number fourteen as they tried to neutralize his dominance.
With conditions exceptional for hurling on a fine October afternoon, the game while there was very early close scores it found it extremely hard to get into any rhythm in what was a vert stop start affair for the opening twenty odd minutes, with nearly as many frees as we had scores.
Ballinamere started extremely well with Aaron Maher breaking from the throw in and scoring within fifteen seconds of the game starting, but it wasn’t long until KK were on the mark and with two frees in quick succession from Adam Screeney, KK lead 0-2 to 0-1 by the 5th minute.
Joe Maher added to his brothers opening score, but with another free Adam Screeney left it at two between the sides with seven played.
Brian Duignan levelled up matters and then with eleven on the clock Ballinamere were back in front with a fine score from Mike O’Brien and we were all willing for the game to spark to life.
But the frees mounted along with the wides for KK certainly mounted too. By the half time break they had registered ten on the board and many of which were score able.
Adam Screeney levelled up matters with yet another free and finally with sixteen on the clock KK got their opening score from play a fine shot from Conor Mahon, to take the lead again 0-5 to 0-4.
Conor Slevin with a long range free added to the lead, but Brian Duignan had frees to add at the other end with a brace drawing the sides level again 0-6 each with twenty five on the clock.
It was then that KK really started to stretch their legs and while their shooting was poor at times, they certainly did hit over some fine scores.
Battening down the hatches they started to build from the back. Adam Screeney pointed again this time from another free, before Conor Mahon and Leigh Kavanagh with two massive scores stretched their lead to three.
KK had one more offering before the break with a fine Adam Screeney score from play and with that the KK were four clear 0-10 to 0-6 at the half time break.
On the resumption it was KK who stretched the lead thanks to a nice score from Peter Geraghty a mere ten seconds in.
Dan Ravenhill who played a fine game in the second half responded for Ballinamere, before Peter Geraghty and Aaron Maher traded further scores bringing the scores to 0-12 to 0-8 with thirty four played.
Ter Guinan who gave a man of the match winning performance landed an exquisite score on the 36th minute to bring the lead to five and with that KK were the ones making all the moves.
Ballinamere to be fair did keep plugging and with two scores in quick succession from Brian Duignan, we suddenly had a three point game, 0-13 t 0-10 with thirty eight on the clock.
It was at that point that KK really started to move again and with three on the bounce from Ter Guinan and the exceptional Damien Kilmartin with two on the trot, they were now 0-16 to 0-10 clear.
Sam Bourke and Dan Ravenhill responded but once again it was KK who had more to come. Adam Screeney despite being slightly quieter in the second half pointed a free and then with an inch perfect cross field pass from Brian Guinan he picked out Daniel Hand with pure precision with the latter bisecting the posts and the gap was six again 0-18 to 0-12.
Dan Ravenhill and Adam Screeney swapped further scores and with three minutes of normal time to play KK had one hand on the cup.
Indeed there was still time for a few worrying moments for the reigning champions and it was Ballinamere who finished very strong.
Brian Duignan hit over three – two frees and ’65 and the gap was back to three and they were on the hunt for the goal to bring it to a replay.
They did have a last ditch chance four three minutes into injury time when Brian Duignan broke the tackle and laid off the Mike O’Brien, but his rasping shot few over the bar and it was KK who held on as Ballinamere fell to their knees in despair at the final whistle. The final scores reading 0-17 to 0-15.
The Scorers
Kilcormac/Killoughey: Adam Screeney 0-8 (0-7 Frees), Peter Geraghty 0-2, Conor Mahon 0-2, Ter Guinan 0-2, Damien Kilmartin 0-2, Daniel Hand 0-1, Leigh Kavanagh 0-1, Conor Slevin 0-1 (Free).
Ballinamere: Brian Duignan 0-8 (0-6 Frees, 0-1 ‘65), Dan Ravenhill 0-3 (0-1 Free), Aaron Maher 0-2, Mike O’Brien 0-2, Sam Bourke 0-1, Joe Maher 0-1.
The Teams
Kilcormac/Killoughey: Conor Slevin; Brecon Kavanagh, Tom Spain, Ter Guinan; James Mahon Cillian Kiely, Enda Grogan; Colin Spain, Damien Kilmartin; Daniel Hand, Conor Mahon, Leigh Kavanagh; Thomas Geraghty, Peter Geraghty, Adam Screeney.
Subs: Jack Screeney for Thomas Geraghty (Temp Sub 39 mins), Brian Guinan for Damien Kilmartin (46 mins), Alex Kavanagh for Peter Geraghty (52 mins), Lochlann Kavanagh for Leigh Kavanagh (61 mins).
Ballinamere: Mark Troy (Capt.); Eoin Boland, Ciaran Burke, Cian Kinnarney; Chris McDonald, Ross Ravenhill, Jack Fogarty; Aaron Maher, Sm Bourke; Dan Ravenhill, Joe Maher, Mike O’Brien; John Murphy, Brian Duignan, Dan Bourke.
Subs: Luke Wyer for John Murphy (44 mins), David Magner for Joe Maher (49 mins), Joe Maher for Luke Wyer (59 mins).
Referee: Matthew Farrell (Tullamore).
