Month: September 2021

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AN ENFORCED RETIREMENT in March, injury cutting down a Gaelic football career at the age of 26.

Paul Whyte in action for Waterford against Cork in the Munster championship last year.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

A sudden comeback in September after the frustration of standing idle and watching on games during the summer months had proved too much.

And now the surreal prospect of playing in a county senior final, stepping onto the Fraher Field tomorrow for Kilrossanty in the Waterford decider, 18 years after their last final appearance and 29 years after last title win..

“It is a bit surreal alright,” reflects Paul Whyte, wrapping his head around a 2018 season of varying emotions.

“It’s just nice to be there and it’s absolutely huge for the club. It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been knocking on the door but just couldn’t get over that semi-final hurdle. Thankfully this year we did it.”

That was a thought scrubbed from his mind last spring when the country was enveloped in a blanket of snow and retirement came calling. His Waterford football role, a constant in his life since he joined the senior panel at 17, ground to a halt. His days of kicking ball for Kilrossanty seemed over as well.

His hips have been at him for a long time. He’s had groin and hamstring troubles since he was a teenager. Going under the knife at 19 gave him some initial relief but the difficulties returned.

“It worked perfectly for probably two or three years and then the problems started coming back again. My mobility was cut down and it progressively got worse.”

In late February he produced a customary scoring show in a league game against Carlow, 1-1 under the floodlights in Carriganore. Then came a lull in Waterford’s schedule as frozen pitches rendered the staging of training and games impossible.

When they returned to action, Whyte smacked against a roadblock. He felt a searing pain shooting across his hip when he tried to run. Physios and surgeons inspected the damage. The advice was clear and stark.

Time to quit.

Paul Whyte in action for Waterford against Galway in 2013 in Salthill.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“It was a big shock to the system when it happened. It probably didn’t hit me for a while until I was going to the inter-county games and not being involved. I’ve been doing it in the county setup since I was 17 so I don’t really know anything else.

“All the surgeons and specialists say there’s no one thing that they can pinpoint. A lot of it is just bad luck or over-training.

“It’s not restricting me in my day to day. It’s a different feeling in my right hip to my left hip. I wouldn’t class it as pain but I know there’s something there. It’s discomfort.

“As the surgeon said, it’s only going to get worse over time. It’s just trying to get as long as I can with the hip I have before I have to get a hip replacement.

“They said if I stopped playing, I should hopefully get a lot longer out of the other one because the cartilage is still there and it should last longer not doing the impact training.”

The news robbed Waterford of a key component. Their captain and a long-serving operator. A sharpshooter who had always been lethal in front of goal. Soccer competed for his attention when he was young, Ireland caps at U15 and U17 level offered proof of his talent.

Paul Whyte before an U17 international friendly with Ireland in 2009.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Once Gaelic football commanded his focus, he showed his worth. On his championship debut in 2011 he posted 0-7 against London.

Rewards were not plentiful for Waterford teams on big summer days but Whyte plugged away – 0-8 when they nearly toppled Waterford in a 2013 qualifier, 1-15 over the course of three ties in 2014, then 1-5 in a Munster loss to Tipperary in 2016 and a brace of points when they came close to a famous victory over Cork in 2017.

Paul Whyte fires home a goal against Tipperary in the 2016 Munster quarter-final.

And then the plug was pulled on that way of life.

Whyte stayed in the team environment, rejoiced with them when they stunned Wexford for the county’s first championship win in seven years and watched them go toe to toe with the likes of Conor McManus and Rory Beggan in June.

“If I just walked away, I’m not really sure what I would have done with all the time that I had. It probably just made the switch easier still being in the scene with the lads.

“To still be in that team setting, probably made stopping that little bit easier.”

When Waterford’s season ended, the teacher in St Augustine’s in Dungarvan fell into a similar observer role with Kilrossanty. A constant presence at their pitch in Lemybrien to watch training sessions.

As the magnitude of their games grew, he found it increasingly uncomfortable to just be looking on as a quarter-final date loomed against Stradbally.

“When it happened first, I just stopped everything. I couldn’t really get used to it and that’s why the itch to play came back. As the Stradbally game was coming up, it was just very hard standing on the sideline. Two weeks before I just said I’d see what I could do in a training session and I felt okay. I didn’t feel brilliant but I felt okay after it.

“I said to the management there could be 10 or 15 minutes in me if they wanted to use me against Stradbally. We just came up with a plan, what best way to work it and we went from there.”

The move was rooted in a desperation for the club to succeed. Kilrossanty football is embedded in the fabric of Whyte’s family. His grandfather Jimmy won seven county senior medals in the 50s and 60s. His father Pierce was part of five triumphant teams in the 80s during a golden era for the club.

Since the last of those wins in 1989, they have been starved of success. In recent times the knockout stages have presented a code they could not crack. For the Whytes – Paul and his three cousins Patrick, James and Jack – there was a regular reminder of those past glories.

“You’d be always hearing stories how good they were and how useless we are,” he laughs.

“It kind of comes with the territory. There’s massive tradition, it’s always been a football club. A lot of the players, their fathers or uncles would have been on the teams in the 80s that won.”

Waterford footballer Stephen Prendergast is part of the Kilrossanty side.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

It hasn’t been helped that during that barren spell, they were casting envious glances over at their neighbours Stradbally accumulating 10 titles since 2000 and stringing together five-in-a-row during that time frame.

A chance to play against the reigning champions was not one Whyte wanted to pass on. On 9 September he lined out corner-forward, struck 1-3 and helped them win by seven points.

Three weeks later at the Dungarvan venue, he matched that scoring tally in the semi-final against An Rinn. Midway through the second-half he came off with his job done and by the end Kilrossanty had 13 points to spare. That coveted spot in a final was secured.

His playing style is uncomplicated and his training regime is straightforward.

“I don’t really go outside the ’21 now, I’m more of a focal point up there. All the boys do all the hard work out the field, I’m just there to distract defenders and make space and pull lads out of the way.

“The two goals I’ve got have been inside the six-yard box. It’s nothing special or crazy, just being in the right place at the right time. A lot of lads in the club are joking that I’ve played the best football I’ve ever played now because I’m standing so close to goal.

“I don’t really train to be honest. I do little bits and pieces here and there to sharpen up my skills but I don’t do any running, any physical work whatsoever. Just inside in the gym cycling and stretching on my own.

“I can do a session, then take a few nights off and then come back to do another bit. It’s very sporadic what I’ve been doing. It’s just really minding myself.”

All around him is a support network that appreciates the significance of this.

“My fiancée and my daughter have been brilliant. When (the retirement) happened first, all the shock was with them as well. Roisin has been absolutely brilliant, she’s still let me be involved and she’s given me the support to play again when I shouldn’t be playing.

“The same way with my family at home, my sister and my Mam and Dad. Everyone around has just backed me, whatever I’ve wanted to do.”

In Waterford football circles, the senior crown has been the property of three clubs since 2000. Stradbally (10), Ballinacourty (3) and tomorrow’s opponents The Nire (5) have carved it up between them. Tomorrow is the first time the final will not be contested by a pair from that trio since 2007.

Kilrossanty have fed off the confidence of recent wins, been fueled by a desire to break that stranglehold and benefited from the addition of ex-Tipperary player Martin Dunne, who has moved to their parish.

“I think it always goes back to pure confidence with us,” says Whyte.

“If we’re going well, we’re very hard to stop but if there’s doubts in our minds, teams can come back. The Stradbally win gave us a huge lift, the whole club. Lads are a bit older and got sick of getting to the semi-final stage, they wanted to get some success after all the hard work.

“Martin Dunne has come in and has been a huge addition at midfield with Tommy Prendergast. I think Tommy’s playing the best football he’s ever played and has the freedom to attack more and kick great scores. Martin has been pivotal to that, he’s the anchor behind him.”

Martin Dunne and Tommy Prendergast in action during the 2016 Munster football championship.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

There is no long-term strategy at the heart of this comeback for Whyte. But the risk involved is balanced by the great sense of opportunity at getting to feature in a county final.

“Realistically I probably shouldn’t be playing but it’s very hard to sit on the sideline when I know I can contribute something.

“There’s something special about the group this year. The four week break has really helped us. There was loads of celebrations going on the week after the semi-final, but since then it’s been just tunnel vision for the game.

“Getting to a county final now, I don’t think any pain is going to stop me getting out there on Sunday. I know I won’t be able to do what I’m doing for much longer so if we can win that medal, I’d happily stop playing after that.”

One last time then to fight through the pain barrier for the club cause.

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FORMER WATERFORD HURLING boss Michael Ryan has been involved with inter-county teams every year except one since 1982.

Michael Ryan during his time in charge of the Waterford hurlers.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

There’s always been a steady stream of requests for his assistance and input across all the codes down through the years, and he’s always been grateful of the opportunity to help out wherever he can.

He’s done everything from taking training sessions as a guest-coach, to managing teams to All-Ireland titles.

Hurling greats such as Eoin Kelly and John Mullane have worked with him at club level while the Dublin and Laois ladies football teams had Ryan in their backroom teams during All-Ireland winning seasons.

In addition to taking charge of The Déise hurlers for a time, he was at the helm of the Westmeath hurlers up until earlier this year when he stepped down at the end of a four-year stint.

“There was always people asking if I wanted to give a hand and I was probably a poor man to say no,” Ryan tells The42.

Thanks be to God, I’ve always been busy and I’ve always had someone wanting me to do something.”

Ryan is undoubtedly a respected coaching figure in GAA circles, a legacy which he has been building since 1982 when he became the manager of his local ladies football club Ballymacarbry.

That appointment proved to be a fruitful one for Ryan, yielding 10 All-Ireland titles and 14 Munster crowns in 16 years before going on to achieve All-Ireland success as manager of the Waterford ladies footballers.

Ryan overlooking a Waterford Ladies training session in 1998.

Source: Keith Heneghan/INPHO

But it almost never happened. Or at least, he tried to avoid it.

Ryan’s wife Catherine and his sister Bernie were both players on the team at the time, and they were the ones who approached him about the idea of coming on board.

He agreed to take the team for a training session but he had no prior knowledge of ladies football, and he wasn’t interested in managing them on a long-term basis. The plan was to put them through a punishing set of runs that would discourage them from ever asking him back again.

Fortunately for Ryan, the plan backfired.

I remember we threw away the footballs and started running and running,” he recalls

“It was fairly intense and obviously they weren’t used to that kind of training. I literally thought they’d forget about it and almost give it up.

“But they were an excellent group of girls who were very committed and determined to do well. I said we’d train the next night and thought there’d be no-one there but there was two extra there.

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“I realised there was something here and said we’d go as far as we can. We eventually won the county title and they were a talented group of young players.”

He continues:

Michael Ryan is wearing the selector bib now with Ballymacarbry.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

“I thought they didn’t need me anymore and didn’t realise there was a Munster championship. We were down in the clubhouse in Stradbally. I remember one of the players bought me a drink and she asked me when it was starting and I nearly died.

“It carried on an on. I was really fortunate to have been involved with a really talented group of players who wanted to succeed and worked really hard. They had great pride in their club jersey.

I’ve met some really good talented players but as a group, they were the most committed players I’d ever seen.”

The fact that Ryan wasn’t aware of a Munster club championship for ladies football at the time illustrates just how much he had to learn about the sport, but he adapted quickly and formed a strong relationship with his players.

As a group, they agreed to give an honest effort from the start and it was approach that brought them to a Munster final later that year.

However, ladies football was very much in its infancy during the early 80′s, and it was far from a glamorous fixture.

I remember distinctly the pitch was a farmer’s field,” Ryan recalls.

“There was half an upright [post] and a broken crossbar. In those days that’s how bad things were. It’s a great tribute to everybody that the games are being played in top pitches around the country [now].

I suppose we all became part of the battle to improve the game and to improve conditions. To see 50,000 people at the All-Ireland final… when the first final was played in Croke Park, there was 3,000 at it and Waterford were playing that day. I think we’re all proud of how far it’s come.”

Ballymacarbry were comprehensively defeated in that Munster decider. In fact, they only managed to score one point and as Ryan puts, ‘there was a lot of soul-searching’ after that.

Mourneabbey’s Doireann O’Sullivan.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

They lost three Munster finals before finally making the breakthrough but they enjoyed many years of success throughout the 80′s and 90′s.

But the good times couldn’t last forever for Ballymacabry. Their last senior All-Ireland title dates back to 1998 and 2000 was the last year they collected a Munster crown.

Ryan decided to step down in 2006 when his three daughters were on the team, and he didn’t like the idea of patrolling the sidelines while some of his own family were out on the pitch.

“It’s like anything else, in a country area you get a crop of players and it works for a while,” says Ryan.

“We couldn’t keep it up. We went off doing different things and it all dropped. We were the most successful ladies club in the history of the game and we were also the oldest club in the country, we were founded in 1970. Everything comes to an end and we had some great times.”

It was an incredible journey for both Ryan and his charges, and despite the many teams and players he has worked with in the interim, that experience he had with Ballymacarbry continues to have a lasting effect on him.

I think women are mentally tougher than men anyway. When is the last time a guy won an argument with a woman? I think to a certain extent, they’re possibly more dedicated as well, or certainly the ones that I’ve come across.”

Munster Senior Club Championship Final between Ballymacarbry (Waterford) and Mourneabbey (Cork) on Saturday, October 27th at 4pm in Cahir #LGFAClub pic.twitter.com/0Xl84L3nvo

— Munster LGFA (@MunsterLGFA) October 25, 2018

There’s a revival happening in the Ballymacarbry club now and Ryan is playing his part in it after coming on board as a selector for manager Michael O’Sullivan.

For the second successive year, they are contesting a senior Munster final this Saturday, and once again, they are up against Cork champions Mourneabbey who are seeking a fifth provincial crown in-a-row.

Mourneabbey are a formidable side with intentions of winning an All-Ireland, having featured in three of the last four All-Ireland finals.

The Waterford side defeated Clare champions the Banner in the Munster B final to get another crack at Mourneabbey, but Ryan knows that a sizeable challenge awaits them later today [throw-in 4pm, Cahir].

Not being their manager anymore doesn’t bother him as he prepares to pick up the selector bib. He’s happy to be busy and to be involved with a team that has a role for him.

“I thought Mourneabbey were comfortable winners last year and won the game well. Like any team trying to make the breakthrough, we won’t know until Sunday.

“We played well against the Banner [in the Munster semi-final] but I think Mourneabbey is a step up from that. They’re a team with All-Ireland ambitions laced with Cork senior players, they’re a formidable side and to have a chance against them you have to play really well.

“I’d like to think we’re capable of playing really well but we’ll look forward to the challenge.”

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Ballygunner 1-18
Midleton 2-13

Tomás McCarthy reports from Walsh Park

A CONOR POWER goal eleven minutes from time propelled Ballygunner into the Munster semi finals as Fergal Hartley’s men fought back from four points down against Cork runners-up Midleton. Pauric Mahony also dispatched a dozen dead balls (eleven frees and a 65) to set up another home tie with Ballyea next Sunday.

First half strikes by Conor Lehane and Cormac Beausang earned the East Cork outfit a surprise 2-8 to 0-10 half time lead. Six Mahony frees inside thirteen minutes sent Ballygunner 6-2 up. Referee Johnny Murphy also flashed yellows to Midleton full backs Luke Dineen and Finbarr O’Mahoney.

The visitors won their first free at the end of the first quarter, as Shane O’Sullivan received a yellow for a high tackle, and Lehane converted.

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The Rebel attacked operated at full forward and fired home a 20 metre free on 21 minutes to level the contest (1-5 to 0-8). That score ignited the underdogs as Cormac Walsh edged them ahead for the first time before Patrick White added a fine solo effort.

Tim O’Sullivan got one back for the Gunners before Lehane created a third point for Walsh at the opposite end. In injury time, Tommy Wallace saved from Billy O’Keeffe before Tommy O’Connell played in Beausang.

Mikey Mahony competes with Cormac Walsh for possession.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

With the Ballygunner defence blown wide open, he rifled to the corner of the net past Stephen O’Keeffe. Mahony converted his seventh free in injury time. Midleton held a four point advantage and also shot six wides.

Peter Hogan replaced Wayne Hutchinson at half time as the five in a row Waterford champions rearranged their defence. Early points by Tim O’Sullivan and Hogan narrowed the deficit to two.

A lively Midleton attack continued to bother their hosts and Harley Barnes was shown yellow for taking Luke O’Farrell to ground. Lehane tapped it over. Pauric Mahony converted a 65 in reply. A Cormac Beausang sideline left the guests a goal up entering the final quarter.

Lehane miscued a free to increase that margin. With eleven minutes remaining, Conor Power evaded the Midleton defence and found the net at the second attempt (1-14 to 2-10). The speedy corner forward then hit the inside of the post.

Three Mahony frees and another single from sub JJ Hutchinson over the closing ten minutes got the Gunners through this sticky assignment.

Scorers for Ballygunner: Pauric Mahony 0-12 (11fs, 1 65), Conor Power 1-1, Tim O’Sullivan 0-2, Billy O’Keeffe, Peter Hogan, JJ Hutchinson 0-1 each.

Scorers for Midleton: Conor Lehane 1-4 (3fs), Cormac Beausang 1-2 (1 s-l), Cormac Walsh 0-3, Luke Dineen, James Nagle, Luke O’Farrell, Patrick White 0-1 each.

Ballygunner

1. Stephen O’Keeffe

2. Eddie Hayden
3. Barry Coughlan
4. Ian Kenny

6. Wayne Hutchinson
5. Philip Mahony
8. Harley Barnes

9. Shane O’Sullivan
14. Michael Mahony

11. Barry O’Sullivan
10. Pauric Mahony
7. Billy O’Keeffe

15. Conor Power
12. Brian O’Sullivan
13. Tim O’Sullivan

Subs

17. Peter Hogan for Wayne Hutchinson (H-T)
18. JJ Hutchinson for Barry O’Sullivan (45)

Midleton

1. Tommy Wallace

18. Eoghan Moloney
2. Seadnaidh Smyth
3. Finbarr O’Mahoney

7. James Nagle
4. Luke Dineen
6. Sean O’Leary-Hayes

8. Paul Haughney
9. Seamus O’Farrell

10. Cormac Walsh
14. Luke O’Farrell
13. Cormac Beausang

23. Tommy O’Connell
11. Conor Lehane
15. Patrick White

Subs

24. Ross O’Regan for Dineen (56)
25. Garan Manley for White (59)
21. Aidan Ryan for Haughney (61)

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).

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Dr Crokes 1-15
Dingle 0-12

Paul Brennan reports from Austin Stack Park

NOT THAT THEY needed another county title to consolidate their status as the undisputed market leaders of Kerry club football, but Dr Crokes added a seventh title to the six already won since 2010 to cement their reputation as undisputed kingpins of Kerry club football after they beat Dingle by six points in today’s county final.

After the last couple of heated Sundays at Austin Stack Park this final was played in the right spirit, and it was Crokes’ more measured approach and more scoring outlets that was the difference. Once Dr Crokes managed to curb the goal threat of Paul Geaney they were halfway there, and it was left to the next generation of Crokes footballers – David Shaw, Tony Brosnan and Gavin White – to raise the flags.

To Dingle’s credit they stayed in contention throughout a tense, tactical game, and it took White’s goal in the 57th minute for Crokes to put meaningful distance between the teams. The game’s only goal made it 1-14 to 0-12, and with Dingle playing with a man less since the 51st minute there was no way back for them.

Paul Geaney’s first minute free had put Dingle into an early lead and they looked settled and composed 0-2 to 0-1 after five minutes but then Dr Crokes found their rhythm and reeled off the next seven points without reply with David Shaw kicking three excellent points from play and Tony Brosnan mining two from play.

The champions played controlled and patient football in that 15-minute period forcing Dingle to drop numbers back into defence but Crokes were still able to find the openings to pick off their points.

It was 0-8 to 0-2 to Crokes when Kerry defender Tom O’Sullivan kicked Dingle’s third point, and that snapped his colleagues back into focus; three more points followed in the last five minutes of the half to bring the West Kerry side right back into contention at 0-8 to 0-6 at half time.

Matthew Flaherty’s point cut the gap to one but Crokes could always engineer scores easier and points from Shaw, White, Johnny Buckley and Daithi Casey had them 0-13 to 0-9 ahead after 48 minutes and 0-14 to 0-11 ahead after 51 minutes when Dingle had corner back Padraig O’Connor sent off for a second yellow.

White’s goal sealed the deal as Colm Cooper and Eoin Brosnan came on to win their eight county championship medals, while this victory moves Dr Crokes to the top of the county’s SFC roll of honour with 13 titles.

It also sets them up for a trip to Tipperary next Sunday for a Munster Club quarter-final, but they will savour this title as much as any any of the other six since 2010. It certainly was one of the hardest to win.

Scorers for Dr Crokes: David Shaw 0-4, Daithi Casey 0-4 (0-3f), Gavin White 1-1, Tony Brosnan 0-2, Johnny Buckley 0-1, Gavin O’Shea 0-1, Brian Looney 0-1, Jordan Kiely 0-1.

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Scorers for Dingle: Paul Geaney 0-6 (0-5f), Tom O’Sullivan 0-2, Tomas Sheehy 0-1, Michael Geaney 0-1, Matthew Flaherty 0-1, Barry O’Sullivan 0-1.

Dr Crokes

1. Shane Murphy

2. John Payne
3. Michael Moloney
4. Fionn Fitzgerald

5. David O’Leary
6. Gavin White
7. Shane Doolan

8. Johnny Buckley
9. Daithi Casey

10. Micheal Burns
11. Gavin O’Shea
12. Brian Looney

18. David Shaw
14. Kieran O’Leary
15. Tony Brosnan

Subs:

13. Colm Cooper for G O’Shea (38)
17. Alan O’Sullivan for D O’Leary (45)
20. Jordan Kiely for T Brosnan (50)
19. Michael Potts for D Shaw (55)
22. Eoin Brosnan for M Burns (62)
21. Paul Clarke for K O’Leary (63)

Dingle

1. Gavin Curran

2. Michael Flannery
3. Tom Leo O’Sullivan
4. Padraig O’Connor

5. Michael Begley
6. Tom O’Sullivan
7. Aidan O’Connor

8. Billy O’Connor
9. Barry O’Sullivan

10. Brian O’Connor
11. Michael Geaney
12. Paul Devane

13. Tomas Sheehy
14. Paul Geaney
15. Matthew Flaherty

Subs

17. Eoin Murphy for P Devane (42)
18. Brendan Kelliher for M Flannery (57)
24. Conor Geaney for T Sheehy (63)

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (St Senans)

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St Finbarr’s 3-14
Duhallow 2-14

Denis Hurley reports form Pairc Ui Chaoimh

ST FINBARR’S BRIDGED a 33-year gap to claim the Cork senior football title by beating Duhallow at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon.

Since overcoming Clonakilty in the final, the Barrs had lost deciders in 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2009, 2010 and 2017, but the joyous scenes at the end made up for all of that heartache.

The Togher side had to earn the victory though, twice trailing by five points in the first half and going in a goal down at half-time. They were stronger in the second half though and impressively surged on.

Duhallow had begun well with early points from Fintan O’Connor and Donncha O’Connor and, while two Stephen Sherlock frees had the Barrs level, Donncha O’Connor made it 0-3 to 0-2 on 11 minutes before the divisional side struck for a goal on 15.

When Aidan Walsh picked out Jerry O’Connor with a great pass, he got past Dylan Quinn and though his shot was saved by John Kerins, Séamus Hickey was on hand to knock the rebound in.

Eoghan McSweeney’s fine score opened up a five-point lead only for the Barrs to reply with a goal, a great move ending with Eoin McGreevey putting Eoin Comyns in the clear and he laid off to Sherlock for a close-range finish.

They were back to within a point after another Sherlock free, but Duhallow won a penalty in the 21st minute, Dylan Quinn harshly adjudged to have blocked a Donncha O’Connor shot with his foot. Nevertheless, the former Cork man sent his spot-kick beyond Kerins’ dive and the five-point lead was re-established as Paul Walsh got on the scoresheet on 24.

While Sherlock remained the Barrs’ primary scoring source, corner-back Conor Dennehy did get forward to fist over an effort and in injury time Denis O’Brien was on hand to make it a goal game again, Duhallow retiring with a 2-7 to 1-7 lead.

Within two minutes of the second half, that levelling goal arrived, Michael Shields’ pass allowing wing-back Colin Lyons to surge through and fire home. Duhallow did re-take the lead with Jerry O’Connor’s free but four points in a row by the Barrs – three from Sherlock and one by Colm Keane – had them in front for the first time.

However, just as it looked as if Duhallow’s exertions in the three-game semi-final series with Castlehaven had caught up with them, they managed to claw their way level again, thanks to Aidan Walsh and frees by Jerry O’Connor and Donncha O’Connor.

It was to be the Barrs’ day, though. When a loose Duhallow clearance found sub Eoghan Finn, he exchanged passes with Denis O’Brien and slotted past Patrick Doyle with Enda Dennehy adding another point immediately after.

Again, Duhallow responded and were back to within one thanks to Anthony O’Connor, Kevin Crowley and Jerry O’Connor, but they couldn’t force an equaliser. With victory in their sights, the Barrs finished well as Colm Barrett and Eoghan Finn added late points.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: Stephen Sherlock 1-8 (0-8 frees), Eoghan Finn 1-1, Colin Lyons 1-0, Conor Dennehy, Enda Dennehy, Denis O’Brien, Colm Barrett, Colm Keane 0-1 each.

Scorers for Duhallow: Donncha O’Connor 1-5 (1-0 penalty, 0-3 frees), Jerry O’Connor 0-3 (0-2 frees), Séamus Hickey 1-0, Eoghan McSweeney 0-2, Paul Walsh, Aidan Walsh, Anthony O’Connor, Kevin Crowley 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s

1. John Kerins

18. Jamie Burns
4. Dylan Quinn
2. Conor Dennehy

5. Colin Lyons
6. Alan O’Connor
7. Colm Scully

8. Ian Maguire
9. Eoin Comyns

10. Denis O’Brien
11. Michael Shields
12. Enda Dennehy

14. Eoin McGreevey
25. Colm Keane
15. Stephen Sherlock

Subs

3. Glen O’Connor for Burns (half-time)
24. Eoghan Finn for Keane (42)
13. Colm Barrett for McGreevey (48)
17. Ross O’Dwyer for Quinn (50)
22. Robert O’Mahony for Enda Dennehy (64)

Duhallow

1. Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree)

3. John McLoughlin (Kiskeam)
5. Lorcan O’Neill (Kanturk)
2. Bart Daly (Newmarket)

4. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet)
6. Keelan Buckley (Knocknagree)
7. Lorcán McLoughlin (Kanturk)

9. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
14. Séamus Hickey (Rockchapel)

10. Fintan O’Connor (Knocknagree)
12. Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree)
8. Paul Walsh (Kanturk)

17. Anthony O’Connor (Knocknagree)
11. Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond)
15. Michael Vaughan (Millstreet)

Subs

13. Jerry O’Connor (Boherbue) for Vaughan (29)
22. Kevin Cremin (Boherbue) for Fintan O’Connor (42)
18. Darragh Moynihan for McSweeney (58)

Referee: David Murnane (Macroom)

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Corofin 0-7
Mountbellew-Moylough 0-7

Daragh Small reports from Pearse Stadium

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MICHEAL LUNDY SCORED a 64th minute point as reigning All-Ireland club champions Corofin survived a massive scare to salvage a replay against Mountbellew-Moylough at Pearse Stadium in Salthill.

Kevin O’Brien’s side remain unbeaten in this competition since Tuam Stars knocked them out in the 2012 semi-final. But when Barry McHugh scored a late free it looked as though a shock was on, before Lundy came up with the equaliser.

It was 0-3 to 0-3 after a poor first half where both teams frequently operated with 15 men behind the ball.

Martin Farragher got a black card at the start of the second half and Mountbellew-Moylough’s first Frank Fox Cup since 1986 looked a real possibility.

Corofin regrouped before Mountbellew-Moylough launched their comeback but they couldn’t see the game out.

An Spidéal had emerged victorious after extra-time in the curtain-raiser, the Galway IFC final, and surprisingly the north Galway rivals were tied at the break here too.

Mountbellew-Moylough won the last two county U21 titles but their young team showed plenty of experience as they dropped deep to frustrate Corofin.

Three-time All-Star county hurler Daithi Burke came into the Corofin team before throw-in, while forward Michael Farragher almost scored a goal after just ten seconds but he sent his shot right and wide.

Ronan Steede with Matthew Barrett.

Source: Tommy Grealy/INPHO

The challengers grew in confidence and Galway star McHugh popped over a free to give them the lead in the sixth minute.

Corofin were kept scoreless until Kieran Molloy fisted a point in the 12th minute. Martin Farragher scored their second point in added time at the end of first half.

Mountbellew-Moylough had raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead with Eoin Finnerty and McHugh (45) on target but they couldn’t close out the half.

John Daly had a goal chance stopped on the line by Corofin captain Micheál Lundy in the 29th minute. And Martin Farragher and Gary Sice rounded off the scoring.

The teams were level but Corofin suffered a major blow six minutes after the resumption when Martin Farragher hauled down John Daly and got a black card.

It was a test of Corofin’s character and Sice stood up to land a great score from the right in the 40th minute. That was the first time Corofin led and it was followed by a Liam Silke effort.

Paul Donnellan reduced the arrears to the minimum but that was answered by another exquisite strike from Sice. Mountbellew-Moylough were in trouble but McHugh scored again.

Then substitute Colin Ryan levelled the game and Conor Cunningham fouled Stephen Boyle in the 61st minute. McHugh drew the sides level from the free.

There were just three minutes of added-time signalled but Lundy scored in the 64th minute to snatch a draw.

Scorers for Corofin: Gary Sice 0-3, Kieran Molloy 0-1, Martin Farragher 0-1, Liam Silke 0-1, Micheál Lundy 0-1.

Scorers for Mountbellew-Moylough: Barry McHugh 0-4 (0-2f, 0-1 ’45), Eoin Finnerty 0-1, Paul Donnellan 0-1, Colin Ryan 0-1.

Corofin

1. Bernard Power

2. Cathal Silke
3. Kieran Fitzgerald
4. Liam Silke

5. Kieran Molloy
6. Dylan McHugh
7. Dylan Wall

20. Daithi Burke
9. Ronan Steede

10. Gary Sice
15. Micheál Lundy
12. Jason Leonard

13. Martin Farragher
11. Michael Farragher
14. Ian Burke

Subs:
17. Colin Brady for Martin Farragher (38, black card)
21. Conor Cunningham for Wall (53)
18. Dylan Canney for I Burke (59)

Mountbellew-Moylough

1. Damien Boyle

22. Gary Sweeney
2. Mark Mannion
4. Colin Murray

5. Noel McDonagh
17. Ger Donoghue
6. John Daly

8. Michael Daly
9. Matthew Barrett

10. Stephen Boyle
7. Paul Donnellan
14. Eoin Finnerty

18. Colm Mannion
11. Barry McHugh
12. Leo Donnellan

Subs:
15. Colin Ryan for C Mannion (53)
3. David Hogan for McDonagh (57)
20. Billy Mannion for Boyle (61)

Referee: James Molloy (Galway).

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Ballyboden St Endas 2-15
Kilmacud Crokes 1-15

Stephen O’Meara reports from Parnell Park

AFTER THE NORMAL and extra-time drama in the drawn final last week, Kilmacud Crokes and Ballyboden St Endas drew swords for the second time in eight days, today in Parnell Park, in the Dublin senior hurling championship replay.

With Boden having shown their value over 80 minutes last week, Joe Fortune’s charges had seen their odds on taking their first championship since 2013 slashed to even money since having come in as outsiders before the drawn final.

In the end, the even odds would prove more than justified as Boden pulled out a powerful second half performance to come from two points behind to win by three.

They got the dream start when Conor MmCormack netted the easiest goal of his life, flicking home at the end of a superb Boden move, before an even match settled down.

Conal Keaney, who would score four from play, Simon Lambert and McCormack were hurling well for Boden but with Marc Howard causing trouble for Crokes up front and Ryan O’Dwyer controlling the hurling from centre back again, it was 1-6 to 0-6 to Boden when controversy erupted in the 23rd minute.

Ballyboden celebrate with the trophy.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

A cutting run from Howard looked destined for goal when he was unceremoniously taken out, cutting his afternoon’s involvement short. Only a yellow card was brandished, with many expecting more, and Oisín O’Rorke missed the ensuing penalty to add insult to injury.

Anthony Daly was clearly upset, justifiably so, before a talking to from the man in black settled him down.

However a rip-roaring end to the half would see O’Rorke recover to put up a quick three points, two from play, before, Ronan Hayes slipped him through for a goal to put Crokes two to the good at the break, 1-9 to 1-7.

With Crokes slightly on top early in the second half, a clever 25 yard free from Paul Ryan, struck between the defender and post, found the net to give Boden a two point lead they would never surrender.

With Crokes’ Ryan O’Dwyer joining Howard on the injured list on the bench early in the second half, off the back of another infringement which resulted in a Boden yellow card, Crokes just never got a foothold in the game.

A strong last six minutes of normal time brought Crokes back from three down to just the minimum, but with Paul Ryan’s cool head dictating the play for Boden late on, they held on and added two more, running out winners by 2-15 to 1-15.

Scorers for Ballyboden: Paul Ryan 1-5 (4f), Conor McCormack 1-1, Conal Keaney 0-4, Aidan Mellet 0-2, Paul Doherty 0-1, James Roche 0-1, Collie Basquel 0-1.

Scorers for Kilmacud Crokes: Oisín O’Rorke 1-7 (5f), Marc Howard 0-4 (2f), Ronan Hayes 0-1, Coalán Conway 0-1, 25 Alex Considine, 0-1 Naomhán O’Riordáin 0-1.

Ballyboden

1 Gary Maguire

4 Shane Durkin
3 Luke Corcoran
18 David O’Connor

7 Dean Curran
6 Simon Lambert
2 James Madden

15 Niall McMorrow
20 David Curtin

9 Niall Ryan
14 Conor Dooley
10 Conal Keaney

17 Aidan Mellet
13 Paul Ryan
12 Conor McCormack

Subs
11 Paul Doherty for Niall Ryan (33)
23 James Roche for Conor Dooley (50)
19 Mal Travers for Simon Lambert (54)
27 Collie Basquel for Conor McCormack (58)

Kilmacud Crokes

1 Matt Collins

7 Cian MacGabhann
3 Bill O’Carroll
2 Niall Corcoran

9 Damien Kelly
6 Ryan O’Dwyer
5 Ross O’Carroll

8 Lorcan McMullan
11 Fergal Whitley

10 Seán McGrath
12 Coalán Conway
30 Shane Veale

13 Oisín O’Rorke
14 Marc Howard
15 Ronan Hayes

Subs
25 Alex Considine for Marc Howard (25)
4 Jamie Clinton for Ryan O’Dwyer (35)
21 Darragh Butler for Ross O’Carroll (45)

Referee: Seán McCarthy.

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Ballyhale Shamrocks 2-20
Bennettsbridge 2-17

Trevor Spillane reports from Nowlan Park

A STRONG SHOW from T.J. Reid helped Ballyhale Shamrocks get their hands on the Kilkenny senior hurling crown for the 16th time.

Reid hit 1-10 as the Shamrocks ended Henry Shefflin’s first year in charge with the silverware as they held off a strong finishing Bennettsbridge in Nowlan Park.

The Shamrocks wasted little time taking control of the game, Reid stamping their authority on the game when he broke through the Bridge defence to rattle the net after just four minutes (1-2 to 0-0).

He bagged the next three points, the last one a free from his own 65m line, to push the favourites eight points in front after as many minutes (1-5 to 0-0). A stunned Bennettsbridge had to work hard to claw their way back into the game.

With Nicky Cleere in good scoring form they narrowed the gap to five (1-7 to 0-5) but the Shamrocks raced away again, Eoin Cody gathering a breaking puck-out and blasting it to the net (2-7 to 0-5).

Henry Shefflin during the game.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

The Shamrocks pressed on from there, shooting more points through Reid and half-backs Evan Shefflin and Darren Mullen, to go in at half-time with a commanding lead (2-12 to 0-8).

Ballyhale looked comfortable in the early stages of the second half, but Bennettsbridge found another gear to force their way back into the game.

Two Brian Lannon goals, coupled with a pair of fine long range points from Enda Morrissey, saw them close up to within three points of the leaders (2-15 to 2-12) by the 45th minute.

However the Shamrocks stayed cool – Ronan Corcoran, Eoin Reid, Mark Aylward and Colin Fennelly picked off a point each in a run that led Ballyhale back to the title.

Ballyhale Shamrocks

1 Dean Mason

2 Conor Walsh
3 Joey Holden
4 Brian Butler

5 Evan Shefflin (0-1)
6 Michael Fennelly (captain)
7 Darren Mullen (0-1)

8 Ronan Corcoran (0-1)
9 Richie Reid

10 Brian Cody (0-2)
11 T.J. Reid (1-10, 0-8 frees)
23 Adrian Mullen (0-1)

12 Eoin Cody (1-1)
14 Colin Fennelly (0-1)
13 Eoin Reid (0-1)

Subs:

24 Mark Aylward (0-1) for E. Reid
22 Paddy Mullen for D. Mullen
15 Joey Cuddihy for E. Cody
17 Bob Aylward for B.Cody
21 Gavin Butler for Shefflin

Bennettsbridge

1 Enda Cleere

2 Conor Murphy
3 Robert Lennon (0-1)
4 Cormac Wafer

5 Enda Morrissey (0-2)
6 Jason Cleere (0-2)
7 Darragh Wafer

8 Kevin Blanchfield (0-1)
9 David Blanchfield

10 Aidan Cleere (0-1)
14 Brian Lannon (2-1)
12 Nicky Cleere (0-7, frees)

13 Dylan Walsh
11 Liam Blanchfield (0-1)
15 Sean Morrissey (0-1)

Sub:

22 Danny Coyne for Walsh

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ST THOMAS’ NEEDED extra-time to see off Clarinbridge in the Galway SHC quarter-final, advancing on a scoreline of 1-23 to 2-19.

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The 2016 champions will face Sarsfields in the last four next Sunday in Athenry.  The sides were level at half-time at 1-8 to 0-11, with Conor Cooney hitting the goal for St Thomas’.

Clarinbridge looked on the verge of victory when they were a point ahead after 60 minutes, but Kenneth Burke hit a late equaliser and St Thomas’ prevailed after extra-time. 

Graigue-Ballycallan secured promotion back to Kilkenny senior ranks after with a three-point victory over Tullaroan in the intermediate decider. 40-year-old Eddie Brennan featured for the winners, while the Tullaroan side featured 35-year-old Tommy Walsh. The pair shared 17 All-Ireland medals between them during their Kilkenny careers. 

Ruairi Og Cushendall were crowned Antrim SHC champions after a 2-12 to 0-15 victory over Loughgiel Shamrocks today. 

With county star Neil McManus on form up front for the winners, they delivered a first county title since 2015. Cushendall were beaten in the last two finals, including a loss to Shamrocks two years ago.

Video: See @JeromeQuinn's report on how @RuairiOgCdall became @Bathshack Antrim SHC champions today.. pic.twitter.com/QI0LCx2J3X

— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) October 28, 2018

Meanwhile, in the Ulster club SHC semi-final Slaughtneil were dumped out by Ballycran, who won by 4-15 to 1-14.

The Down champions had 10 points to spare by the finish, as two goals from James Doyle proved decisive. Scott Nicholson and Colum McManus posted 0-6 apiece for the victors.

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