Kilcormac-Killoughey and Shinrone set up repeat of last year's Offaly hurling decider

The sides took care of business in their respective semi-finals this weekend.

Sun, 01 Oct, 2023 - 15:22

Kevin Egan

This year’s Offaly senior hurling final will be a repeat of last year’s senior decider between Kilcormac-Killoughey and Shinrone, after the two clubs produced strong second half performances to overcome St. Rynagh’s and Ballinamere respectively over the weekend.

Despite losing three finals since their last title success in 2017, a Kilcormac-Killoughey side that is packed with stars from this year’s Offaly U-20 side has carried the mantle of favouritism the whole way through this championship, and they were hotly fancied to advance past a St. Rynagh’s side that has struggled in 2023.

That was until a goal from Joey O’Connor and a point from his brother Luke gave the Banagher-based club a flying start at Glenisk O’Connor Park yesterday. Three frees from Adam Screeney helped K-K work their way back into the game, but outstanding points from Matthew Maloney and Luke O’Connor meant that they took a 1-8 to 0-7 lead into the dressing room.

With the wind at Kilcormac-Killoughey’s back in the second half, they were an improved force, holding St. Rynagh’s without a score from play up until the 29th minute of the half. With Cillian Kiely dominating the game from centre back, they created some superb chances, including a penalty from Cathal Kiely which was well saved by Conor Clancy.

There was only a point in it after 55 minutes, but some incredible points from Cillian Kiely and Charlie Mitchell in the closing stages saw the Double K’s kick on to record an 0-22 to 1-14 victory.

In Saturday’s clash between reigning champions Shinrone and Ballinamere, who were hoping to reach a first county senior final since their one and only appearance in 1908, Shinrone were dogged in the first half and dominant in the second, eventually securing a 1-19 to 0-16 win.

Ballinamere, powered by a host of county panelists including Ciarán Burke, Ross Ravenhill, Brian Duignan, John Murphy and Dan Ravenhill, enjoyed a great run in the group stages as they won four from four, including a victory over Shinrone when they finished with seven points in a row.

On Saturday, the first half of this contest was frenetic and hotly-contested, ending with Shinrone’s greater efficiency the key ingredient in a 0-9 to 0-8 interval lead for the Robbins Cup holders.

Ballinamere turned that around to lead by 0-11 to 0-10 after 34 minutes, but Shinrone suddenly exploded into life, scoring five points without reply from Seán Cleary, Killian Samspon, Donal Morkan (free), Dara Maher and Jason Sampson.

John Murphy’s point kept Ballinamere in the game but Shinrone bounced back with another rally, kicked off by inspirational scores from defenders Darragh Landy and Conor Doughan. Once Killian Sampson scrambled home a goal with 53 minutes gone, Shinrone were eight points clear and had more than enough cushion to overcome a run of late points from their opponents.

The final will be played at St. Brendan’s Park in Birr on Sunday, October 15th.

Also over the weekend, Seir Keiran’s relegation from the top tier of the Offaly club hurling scene was cast into doubt when Kilcormac-Killoughey’s second team won the senior “B” title, overcoming Clodiagh Gaels by 0-12 to 0-8 in the final.