“Winning isn’t everything–but wanting to win is.” Vince Lombardi Jnr
On an evening when all that was good about sport was centre stage, the hurlers of Ballinascreen and Slaughtneil served up a goal-laden feast to the 2000 strong crowd at Owenbeg.
In a rip-roaring physical battle where no quarter was given or asked, both teams gave everything in pursuit of the Fr Collins Cup.
The race began in the manner it would continue. At 100 mph.
When you are chasing your clubs first hurling title in 74 years, you dream of a good start. Ballinascreen’s Dean Flanagan, impressive throughout, gave his team just that, blasting to the net for the game’s first score after only two minutes. Followed shortly afterwards by a Conall O’Kane point,
Enter Brendan Rogers. Two opportunist strikes for two goals served notice, if any were needed, that the Emmet’s man is one of the best young forwards in the county. More importantly, it set the pattern for the game and gave his team a lead they would not relinquish.
A point from Oisin O’Doherty was matched at the other end by the unerring accuracy of Paul Cleary for Screen as they fought back to with a point after 14mins, Slaughtneil 2-01 Ballinascreen 1-03.
It was a task they would have to repeat as a Frankie Kelly long ball sailed straight to the net for the Emmet’s third goal shortly after the mid way point of the first half. Goals are hammer blows in big games and this one was especially so.
With light beginning to fade, the half ended in Slaughtneil’s favour 3-06 to 1-08. Eoin McGuigan’s sharpness of vision was unquestioned – as he pulled off a brace of goal bound blocks in the Slaughtneil goal – which could very well have altered the course of the second half.
With Owenbeg resplendent in floodlight for the second half, a Hugh Pat Kelly deflected goal after three minutes brought McGuigan’s saves more sharply into focus. Screen were now within two points and striking distance of an historic win.
However, the pattern established in the first ten minutes continued as Oisin O’Doherty got a flick to an Eanna Cassidy cross for a fourth and decisive Slaughtneil goal, and a first county hurling championship title since the turn of the millenium.
A delighted Slaughtneil manager Michael Glover told DerryGAA.ie: “We lost in 2004 and it caused me many sleepless nights since. However, I’ll sleep tonight”.
Lombardi is right. Winning isn’t everything in sport but wanting to win is. However, As Gareth O’Kane lifted the Fr Collins Cup he emotionally dedicated the win to the late Martin Mulholland, the role of the GAA in our communities became crystal clear.
Slaughtneil: E McGuigan; B Og Corbett, A Cassidy, C Kearney; F Kelly (1-01), C McKenna, J Mulholland; K McKaigue, S McGuigan; B Rogers (2-03), D Kearney, G Bradley (0-01); O O’Doherty (1-02), C McKaigue (0-01), G O’Kane (0-04 2f).
Subs: M Doherty for Corbett, E Cassidy for D Kearney, C O’Doherty for O O’Doherty.
Ballinascreen: G Brunton; K Conway, C McSorley, C McKenna; P McGlade (0-01), N Bradley, HP Kelly (1-00); J McCloskey, S McBride (0-02 1f); C O’Kane (0-03f), D Flanagan (1-00), C Moran (0-01); P Cleary (0-03), B Bradley, A Kelly (0-01).
Subs: C Brunton for N Bradley, M McGuigan for HP Kelly, G Kelly for McSorley.
Referee: Eamon Hasson.
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