Kilcormac-Killoughey clinch fourth county title in a row
Offaly Senior Hurling Championship Final
Kilcormac-Killoughey 0-19
Ballinamere 0-17
Kilcormac-Killoughey made it four Offaly SHC titles in a row, as Declan Laffan's team saw off the challenge of Ballinamere at Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Sunday.
Despite leading by six points with just three minutes remaining, Ballinamere almost caught their opponents late on as four unanswered points, from frees by Brian Duignan and a Mike O'Brien point from play, gave the reigning champions a scare that seemed unlikely for large periods.
After a keenly contested opening period, Kilcormac-Killoughey led by 0-10 to 0-6 at half-time, thanks mainly to the influence of Adam Screeney and Conor Mahon. Their lead at the interval would have been greater had they not hit nine wides.
After the restart, Screeney and the excellent Ter Guinan were prominent for Kilcormac-Killoughey, who led by six at the three-quarter mark.
Sean Treacy's Ballinamere were defiant in the closing stages, but Kilcormac-Killoughey prevailed.
Scorers for Kilcormac-Killoughey: Adam Screeney 0-8 (7fs), Ter Guinan, Damien Kilmartin, Conor Mahon and Peter Geraghty 0-2 each, Conor Slevin (f), Daniel Hand and Leigh Kavanagh 0-1 each.
Scorers for Ballinamere: Brian Duignan 0-8 (7fs), Dan Ravenhill 0-3 (1f), Mike O'Brien and Aaron Maher 0-2 each, Joe Maher and Sam Bourke 0-1 each.
Kilcormac-Killoughey: Conor Slevin; Brecon Kavanagh, Tom Spain, James Mahon; Ter Guinan, Cillian Kiely, Enda Grogan; Colin Spain, Damien Kilmartin; Daniel Hand, Conor Mahon, Leigh Kavanagh; Peter Geraghty, Thomas Geraghty, Adam Screeney.
Subs: Jack Screeney for T Geraghty (39), Brian Guinan for Kilmartin (46), Alex Kavanagh for P Geraghty (51), Lochlann Kavanagh for Leigh Kavanagh (61).
Ballinamere: Mark Troy; Eoin Boland, Ciaran Burke, Cian Kinnarney; Chris McDonald, Ross Ravenhill, Jack Fogarty; Dan Bourke, Sam Bourke; Dan Ravenhill, Joe Maher, Mike O'Brien; John Murphy, Brian Duignan, Aaron Maher.
Subs: Luke Wyer for Murphy (44), David Magner for Joe Maher (48), Joe Maher for Wyer (59).
Referee: Matthew Farrell (Roscommon).