February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Going into their ninth final in a row, Ballygunner never exerted the sort of dominance that was expected and as full-time approached, they were trailing by six points. However, a goal by Stephen Power, followed by a quick point before the announcement that there would be four minutes of added time left the margin at just two points.
It was then that Ballyduff showed their composure, and points from a Brendan Hannon free and another longer placed ball by goalkeeper, Adrian Power, ensured a first title since 1987. Even though captain and county star, Stephen Molumphy, performed superbly, the man of the match award went to Jamie Kearney who hit six points from play during the first 34 minutes.
“We were relegated three years ago, “said manager Maurice Geary, “and now here we are as county champions. Every club will take encouragement from that.” Ballyduff now meet Clare champions, Tulla, in the Munster club semi-final.
On the football front, it seemed as if Seneschalstown had squandered a great chance of winning the Meath title when they missed a late free in the drawn final, however, they made no mistake in last Sunday’s replay at Pairc Tailteann where they convincingly defeated Navan O’Mahonys by 0-15 to 0-9.
The new champions led by 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval and with the accurate Brian Clarke finding the target with eight frees and a 45, they kept up the pressure on O’Mahonys to lift the trophy for the first time since 1994.
There hasn’t been much separating the two traditionally strongest clubs in Wicklow, and so it was once again last weekend when Baltinglass and Rathnew played out a 0-12 to 1-9 draw in the county final at Aughrim.
With time ticking away and Rathnew leading by a point, Baltinglass earned a free, 20 meters out wide on the left, which John McGrath converted with commendable nerve to set up a replay.
There was no such proximity on the scoreboard at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick as Kieran O’Callaghan scored 1-7 to power Ballylanders, who last won the title in 1999, to a comprehensive 2-13 to 1-3 win over Drom/Broadford.
Meanwhile, Declan Browne’s class proved the difference as Moyle Rovers took the Tipperary title with a 1-9 to 0-4 victory over Fethard in Cashel. Browne kicked seven points, and also won his side a penalty which was goaled by Paul Shanahan, as Moyle held out despite having two men sent off early in the second half.