Storming finish propels delighted Ballinamere into semi-finals as champions fall away late on

A hugely important win for Ballinamere saw them qualify for the semi-finals of the Senior Hurling Championship after an compelling shootout with champions Shinrone in Birr on Sunday.

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Group 2

Ballinamere 0-23

Shinrone 2-14

The significance of this win can't be understated for Ballinamere, who once again had to show real character to get the result. They missed a handful of clearcut goal chances, saw Shinrone score two from rebounds but stormed home in the closing quarter.

Behind by 1-9 to 0-11 at half time, Ballinamere looked to be heading for a devastating defeat when they trailed by 2-14 to 0-16 with 47 minutes gone. That four point lead was a fair reflection of the way the game was going until that point.While Ballinamere would have really regretted some of their missed goal chances, Shinrone were playing very composed, steady hurling.

The south Offaly side were displaying all the hallmarks of champions up to that stage. They weren't brilliant and they had a few wides but they were exerting a quiet control on proceedings and responding to everything Ballinamere threw at them.

Then it changed as Ballinamere stood up all over the field. In the closing quarter, Chris McDonald, Sam Bourke and Ciaran Burke were immense in their defence while up field, Dan and Ross Ravenhill and Dan Bourke all won crucial ball, doing what was needed from players of their stature. The hero of the hour, however, was Brian Duignan.

Having his best season in the club championship, by a country mile, he got three out of four points from play as Ballinamere got level in a devastating five minute spell. The other point was a breaktakingly beautiful one from Dan Ravenhill and then Duignan put them in front from a free in the 26th minute.

Suddenly Shinrone were reeling and they found that their tank was empty as Ballinamere won all the late battles. Sam Bourke had a wide and dropped one short as Ballinamere left the door open. A draw would have been enough for them to top it on scoring difference and a point from sub, Darragh Wyer left Shinrone needing another goal. Dan Bourke's fantastic injury time point after his brother Sam picked him out delightfully put three in and Ballinamere were into the semi-finals.

A hugely enjoyable, free flowing affair emerged and the quality of hurling, the intensity it was played in was a credit to both teams.

Shinrone were marginally tbe better team in the first half but a 1-9 to 0-11 half time lead was a fair reflection of how tight it was.

It was full of thrills and spills, goal chances missed, wides with Shinrone particularly culpable, and quality scores. Thrown into the mix was a 25th minute yellow card for Dan Ravenhill that could have been a red as his foot came down on Donal Morkan, who was lying on his hurl and wouldn't release it.

It all made for absolutely compelling viewing. Ballinamere should have got two first half goals and could have got four. Eamon Cleary made a fantastic first minute save from Ronan Cleary but the ball should have been buried from a few metres. Aaron Maher had a great chance in the 23rd minute but didn't get the power to trouble Eamon Cleary in the 23rd minute while in injury time, Cleary held his head in his hands as his handpass across the goals almost went into the net. Seconds later Kevin McDermott booted over the bar from five metres and that could very easily have been a goal too.

The only goal went to Shinrone's Jason Sampson in the 11th minute. Mark Troy made a great double save from Sampson and Sean Cleary but couldn't keep out Sampson's second attempt. That goal gave Shinrone a 1-4 to 0-6 lead and while they went three clear after that, Ballinamere kept going.

Shinrone had seven first half wides compared to two for Ballinamere and a few of those could have been points which left it all very much in the balance at the break.

Ballinamere had another great goal chance at the start of the second half but John Murphy blazed wide with the goal at his mercy. They were punished in the 32nd minute when Paul Cleary got a Shinrone goal after Troy made a super save from Declan Cleary. With a 2-10 to 0-12 lead, Shinrone were in a strong position. It was 2-14 to 0-16 inside the closing quarter and amazingly Shinrone didn't score again after Donal Morkan's 47th minute free.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Brian Duignan (Ballinamere): Another magnificent display by Brian Duignan. He scored thirteen points, six of them from play but his contribution went way deeper than this. He got clutch scores, displayed tremendous will power and had a few assists as well. Sam Bourke and Chris McDonald were also contenders for Ballinamere while centre back Conor Doughan was Shinrone's best player.

THE SCORERS

Ballinamere: Brian Duignan 0-13 (5 f and 2 '65s), Dan Bourke 0-3, Sam Bourke and Dan Ravenhill 0-2 each, Aaron Maher, Kevin McDermott and Darragh Wyer 0-1 each.

Shinrone: Jason Sampson 1-1, Paul Cleary 1-0, Conor Doughan and Donal Morkan (3f) 0-3 each, Luke Watkins 0-2, Killian Sampson, Dara Cleary, Declan Cleary, Sean Cleary 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

BALLINAMERE: Mark Troy; Chris McDonald, Ciaran Burke, Gerry Spollen; Jack Fogarty, Ross Ravenhill, Sam Bourke; David Magner, John Murphy; Dan Bourke, Brian Duignan, Aaron Maher; Ronan Cleary, Dan Ravenhill, Kevin McDermott. Subs – Mike O'Brien for Murphy (50m), Darragh Wyer for McDermott (57m),

SHINRONE: Eamon Cleary; Darren Crean, Darren O'Meara, Darragh Landy; Killian Sampson, Conor Doughan, Dara Maher; Declan Cleary, Luke Watkins; Adrian Cleary, Donal Morkan, Michael Cleary; Paul Cleary, Sean Cleary, Jason Sampson. Subs - Dan Doughan for Adrian Cleary (38m), James Liffey for Declan Cleary (57m),

Referee – Kieran Pat Kelly (St Rynagh's).

REFEREE WATCH

Kieran Pat Kelly had a solid game and clearly wanted to be fair. He did have one major call in the first half when he showed a yellow card to Dan Ravenhill in the 25th minute. Ravenhill was lucky not to get red as he did stamp on Donal Morkan. It probably should have been a red but in a bizarre way, it was a just call as Morkan lay on his hurl and wouldn't let him have it back. Ravenhill did get frustrated but the referee spoke at length to four of his six officials before making the call, and then having a gentle word with Morkan, presumably to explain why.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The points Brian Duignan pucked as Ballinamere hauled in the Shinrone lead inside the last ten minutes turned this game in their favour. The above mentioned Dan Ravenhill incident was also a pivotal moment. Ravenhill is far from a dirty or malicious player but he was very relieved to stay on and if he was sent off, Ballinamere probably would not have won this game as well as greatly undermining their prospects for their next one.

VENUE WATCH

The Birr pitch was in fanastic shape and the host club got everything right.

WHAT'S NEXT

Ballinamere go into the semi-finals as group winners while Shinrone are in the quarter-finals.

STATISTICS

Wides: Ballinamere – 10 (2 in first half); Shinrone – 10 (7 in first half).

Yellow cards: Ballinamere – 1 (Dan Ravenhill); Shinrone – 0.

Red cards: 0.