OFFALY SHC FINAL Birr 1-15 Kinnitty 0-15: BIRR'S DOMINATION of Offaly hurling in recent years continued at O'Connor Park when they chalked up their 22nd championship success, but they had to fight much harder than anticipated before overcoming a determined, but limited, Kinnitty side.
The holders were contesting their 10th consecutive final and their victory completed a four-in-a-row sequence. However, they did not have matters all their own way, and it was only in the final quarter of a game in which scores were level five times, that their greater experience told.
Birr, who had failed to score a goal in three of their five qualifying games, were quickly off the mark on this occasion, for the goal that proved decisive came in the eighth minute, with Rory Hanniffy loading the gun that was fired by Bryan Lonergan from close range.
It was really only the exceptional accuracy from placed balls of Colm Coughlan that kept Kinnitty in the game for so long. In total he bagged 11 points, only two of which came from play.
Unfortunately for Kinnitty, who were contesting their first final since 1985, it was a case of having most of their scoring eggs in one basket whereas the defending champions had their scoring power more evenly distributed.
Helped by Lonergan's goal, Birr raced into a 1-3 to 0-2 lead by the 10th minute, and although their opponents achieved parity on the scoreboard several times, including an interval deadlock of 1-6 to 0-9, they just could not get their noses in front.
Three quick points within the opening four minutes of the second half by Gary Hanniffy, Simon Whelahan and Dylan Hayden saw Birr tighten their grip on the trophy.
Kinnitty never gave up and with Coughlan failing with only one scoring attempt they remained in contention at 1-12 to 0-13 going into the final 10 minutes.
Against tiring opponents Birr stepped up the pace, with Simon Whelahan pointing a couple of frees and Paul O'Meara adding one from play to open up a five points advantage. Kinnitty had the final two points of the hour from Fergal Kealey and Colm Coughlan, but the goal that they so badly needed remained elusive.
BIRR: B Mullins; JP O'Meara, N Claffey, M Verney; B Watkins, P Cleary, B Harding; R Hanniffy (0-1), Barry Whelahan; D Hayden (0-4), S Whelahan (0-5, three frees), G Hanniffy (0-3); S Ryan, Brian Whelahan, B Lonergan (1-1). Subs: S Browne for Harding (46 mins), P O'Meara (0-1)for Brian Whelahan (52 mins).
KINNITTY: J Dempsey; P O'Donnell, L Bergin, B Coughlan; L Brewer, J Rigney, C Leonard; E Grimes, M McRedmond (0-2); R McRedmond (0-1), S Molloy, M Robinson; C Coughlan (0-11 seven frees, two 45s), O Kealey, F Kealey (0-1). Subs: J Kinsella for Grimes (21 mins), J Clendennen for Robinson (39 mins), A Tooher for R McRedmond (58 mins), E McGuinness for Kinsella (59 mins).
Referee: N Flynn(Kilcormac/Killoughey).
