AIB Munster Club IHC Final – Effin 0-14 Ballyduff 0-11

Glory dayas Effin brave hearts beat odds

Effin (Limerick) 0-14 Ballyduff (Kerry) 0-11

By Diarmuid O’Flynn for the Irish Examiner newspaper

“ALL for one and one for all,” the motto coined by Alexandre Dumas for his fictional Three Musketeers; it could instead have been coined for the very real hurling warriors of Effin. In a tale every bit as full of dashing as anything Dumas ever penned, in less than two years this little club from the south Limerick-north Cork border has gone from rags to previously undreamed-of riches. It’s all down to a group of players who simply refuse to lose, who have shrugged off the shackles that saw Effin – as proud a hurling parish as any in the nation – slaves to a losing history, too long without a single adult county hurling title.

Last year they won the county junior title and celebrated for months. This year, their first at IHC, they had already exceeded all expectations and won the Limerick title. Yesterday, however, they became Munster champions, again overcoming huge odds, again beating a team to whom they were expected to bow the knee. “There’s not a whole lot I can say about them,” said manager Peter Finn, though the players have plenty to say about the Bruree native. “The best coach any of us has ever played under,” stated captain John P O’Donnell. “You just look at the crowd that was here today [supporting us]. There’s definitely not that number of people in Effin parish anyway! But these guys have caught the imagination of everyone, there’s desperate heart in them. I said to them at half-time ‘lads, we have a chance here’. “We were poor in the first-half, no doubt about it, lucky to be only a point behind. I think it was just nerves, the occasion probably got to us, but in the second-half we really put the shoulder to the wheel. I knew once we got on top we weren’t going to concede much. I knew if we didn’t concede a goal we’d probably win, and we haven’t conceded too many goals throughout the year.”

That’s the summation of the game right there. Ballyduff started very well, corner-forward Pat Joe Connolly’s three points in seven minutes seeming to confirm the opinion of the oddsmakers that this was going to be a one-sided affair. A quick move by Peter Finn and the three wise men (Ger Power, Denis O’Donovan and Jim Byrnes) on the sideline, however — John P O’Donnell over on Pat Joe — and that particular threat was snuffed out. Andrew Dillon shone in his new position, John Dillon was doing wonders between them while in the half-back line, Michael O’Donnell and Michael Rea on the wings and the commanding Nicky Quaid in the centre began to impose themselves. In midfield James O’Donnell and Patrick Carroll more than held their own, while the powerful half-forward line of Pierce O’Kelly, Damien Moloney and Conor Kearney began the work that would eventually see Effin home. Inside them, three extremely skilful players in Timmy Rea, Tommy Quaid and Darren Sheehy.

With every individual in every line now fighting like dogs for every ball, gradually Effin began to work their way into the game, and though they were fortunate to be just a point behind at the break, 0-8 to 0-7, they were beginning to look slightly the better side. The second-half confirmed that impression. Not until the 51st minute did Ballyduff score again, and this despite the best efforts of the four talented Boyle brothers, Liam, Pádraig, Aidan and Mikey, the intelligent clearances of Padraig O’Grady. Meanwhile Effin had scored four, teenager Timmy Rea really coming into his own. Ballyduff rallied, points from Mikey and Aidan Boyle bringing them back within one (0-11 to 0-10, 52nd minute), but it was Effin finishing with style, three unanswered points. A magnificent individual display by Nicky Quaid, one for the ages, but more significantly, magnificent team display.

Scorers for Effin: T Quaid 0-4fs, T Rea 0-3, N Quaid 0-3 (2fs, 1 65), D Moloney 0-2, D Sheehy, E Kelly, 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballyduff: M Boyle, PJ Connolly 0-3 each A Boyle, B O’Sullivan (2fs) 0-2 each, B O’Grady 0-1.

EFFIN: D O’Donoghue; JP O’Donnell, J Dillon, A Dillon; M O’Donnell, N Quaid, M Rea; J O’Donnell, P Carroll; P O’Kelly, D Moloney, C Kearney; T Quaid, T Rea, D Sheehy.

Subs: E Kelly for O’Kelly (30), H O’Neill for Sheehy (45).

BALLYDUFF: PJ O’Gorman; J Bowler, P Costello, D O’Grady; A O’Connor, P O’Grady, L Boyle; B O’Sullivan, B O’Grady; P Boyle, A Boyle, G O’Brien; PJ Connolly, M Boyle, A O’Carroll.

Subs: JP Leahy for O’Carroll (43), D Goulding for D O’Grady (58), T O’Rourke for P Boyle (60).

Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).

Towering Quaid display guides Effin to title glory

Report from the Irish Independent newspaper

Effin (Limerick) 0-14 Ballyduff (Kerry) 0-11

EFFIN completed a rollercoaster journey to the title before a huge crowd in Newcastle West, where they beat Kerry senior champions Ballyduff to claim the title. A superb display at centre-back by Limerick senior goalkeeper Nicky Quaid inspired this latest triumph for a club who won their local junior championship just 12 months ago. Ballyduff, the red-hot favourites, set a cracking pace with three points without reply by Pat Joe Connolly inside seven minutes. Three points by Nicky Quaid helped tie it up at 0-4 each before Ballyduff went three clear again through Mike Boyle, Barry O’Grady and Aidan Boyle. Two frees, this time by Tommy Quaid, and one from play by Damian Moloney left a point between them at half-time, 0-8 to 0-7 in favour of the Kerry side.

A Tommy Quaid free levelled things again and Effin led for the first time thanks to a point by Timmy Rea. Substitute Enda Kelly and a free by Tommy Quaid had Effin three in front before Mike Boyle had Ballyduff’s first point of the half 10 minutes from the end and Aidan Boyle had another to leave only one between them. Two more points by Timmy Rea and another by Moloney wrapped it up for Effin. The Quaid brothers, Nicky and Tommy, John Dillon, Mike and Timmy Rea and Damian Moloney starred for Effin with Jason Bowler, Ally O’Connor, Padraig O’Grady, Bobby O’Sullivan and Pat Joe Connolly shining for a Ballyduff side attempting to become the first Kerry team to win a Munster hurling title.

Scorers — Effin: T Quaid 0-4 (4f), N Quaid (2f, 1 ’65’), T Rea 0-3 each, D Moloney 0-2, E Kelly, D Sheehy 0-1 each. Ballyduff: PJ Connolly, M Boyle 0-3 each, B O’Sullivan (2f), A Boyle 0-2 each, B O’Grady 0-1.

Effin — D O’Donoughue; John P O’Donnell, J Dillon, A Dillon; M O’Donnell, N Quaid, M Rea; James O’Donnell, P Carroll; T Rea, D Moloney, C Kearney; P O’Kelly, T Quaid, D Sheehy. Subs: E Kelly for O’Kelly (29), H O’Neill for Sheehy (45).

Ballyduff — PJ O’Gorman; J Bowler, P Costelloe, D O’Grady; A O’Connor, P O’Grady, L Boyle; B O’Sullivan, B O’Grady; G O’Brien, A Boyle, P Boyle; PJ Connolly, M boyle, A O’Carroll. Subs: JP Leahy for O’Carroll (43), D Goulding for D O’Grady (57), T O’Rourke for P Boyle (58).

Ref — M Wadding (Waterford)

EFFIN BREAK BALLYDUFF HEARTS WITH SECOND HALF FLOURISH

AIB Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Final

Effin (Limerick) 0-14 Ballyduff 0-11

By Murt Murphy for kerrygaa.ie

There was to be no fairytale ending for brave Ballyduff as they just came up short after a titanic struggle with Limerick champions Effin, in the AIB Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Final played before a huge crowd at Newcastle West on Sunday afternoon. In truth, it was a game that Ballyduff could have won but on the Effin displayed tremendous resolve and fought back in the second half to out point a Ballyduff side whose radar was not working on the day and the telling stat of all was – Ballyduff won the wide count 12- 5 and it is hard to win finals of any sort when you waste that number of scoring chances in a tight game and on a heavy sod.

The turning point on this game probably was the first five minutes of the second half when Ballyduff shot three wides, one from a Bobby O’Sullivan free and two from young Padraig Boyle as Effin responded with two points to take a 0-9 to 0-8 lead, a lead they never lost. So from being 0-8 to 0-7 in front at the break, Ballyduff found themselves a point down and they did not post a second half score until the 50th minute and by then Effin had the bit between their teeth and they were not going to let go. However it was a mighty contest, played between two sets of warriors, not a foul stroke, and Ballyduff can hold their heads high because they left nobody down in their historic journey to a Munster Final.

Finals are won on small margins and it appeared that if this game was played on a drier sod, then Ballyduff might well be Munster Champions today, but they were beaten by a good side for whom Nickie Quaid at centre-back was simply awesome but why Ballyduff continued to direct ball down his throat, will forever remain a mystery. Basically Effin displayed more composure in front of goal and maybe their experience last year in the Junior Championship in Limerick and Munster gave them a slight edge.

Ballyduff looked the better side for long periods of the opening half and young corner-forward Pat Joe Connolly’s three points in seven minutes seeming to confirm the opinion of the odds makers that this was going to be a one-sided affair. But for some reason Ballyduff began to depart from the script and wasted valuable possession with poor shot selection and wayward shooting. Three points by Nicky Quaid helped tie it up at 0-4 each before Ballyduff went three clear again through Mike Boyle, Barry O’Grady and Aidan Boyle. Two frees, this time by Tommy Quaid, and one from play by Damian Moloney left a point between them at half-time, 0-8 to 0-7 in favour of the Kerry side.

A Tommy Quaid free levelled things again and Effin led for the first time thanks to a point by Timmy Rea. Substitute Enda Kelly and a free by Tommy Quaid had Effin three in front before Mike Boyle had Ballyduff’s first point of the half 10 minutes from the end and Aidan Boyle had another to leave only one between them. However Ballyduff’s wide count had reached six for the second half as Nickie Quaid, repelled the Kerry champions, time and time again. The goal that Ballyduff craved never came despite the heroic defensive play of Jason Bowler, Ally O’Connor and Paud Costello.

Two more points by Timmy Rea and another by Moloney wrapped it up for Effin. The Quaid brothers, Nicky and Tommy, John Dillon, Mike and Timmy Rea and Damian Moloney starred for Effin with Jason Bowler, Ally O’Connor, Padraig O’Grady, Mikey and Aidan Boyle and Pat Joe Connolly shining for a Ballyduff side attempting to become the first Kerry team to win a Munster hurling title. For Effin it was glory as they celebrated after the final whistle but Ballyduff it was heartache but they will be back – Ballyduff simply know no other way!

Scorers

Effin

T Quaid 0-4 frees, N Quaid 0-3 (0-2 frees, 0-1 ’65), T Rea 0-3, D Moloney 0-2, D Sheehy and E Kelly 0-1 each

Ballyduff

M Boyle and P J Connolly 0-3 each, A Boyle 0-2, B O’Sullivan 0-2 frees, B O’Grady 0-1

Teams:

Effin

Danny O’Donoghue, John P O’Donnell, John Dillon, Andrew Dillon, Michael O’Donnell, Nickie Quaid, Michael Rea, James O’Donnell, Patrick Carroll, Timmy Rea, Damien Moloney, Conor Kearney, Pierse Kelly, Tommy Quaid, Darran Sheehy

Subs: Enda Kelly for P Kelly (30), Hugh O’Neill for D Sheehy (46)

Ballyduff

P J O’Gorman, Jason Bowler, Paud Costello, David O’Grady, Ally O’Connor, Padraig O’Grady, Liam Boyle, Bobby O’Sullivan, Barry O’Grady, Garry O’Brien, Aidan Boyle, Padraig Boyle, Pat Joe Connolly, Mikey Boyle, Anthony O’Carroll

Subs: John Paul Leahy for Anthony O’Carroll (43), David Goulding for D O’Grady (55), Thomas O’Rourke for P Boyle (58)

Referee: Michael Wadding (Waterford)

Next Round – the winners play Ulster champions Middletown Na Fianna (Armagh) in the All-Ireland Club Intermediate Hurling Semi-Final.

For the Record

Munster GAA HURLING Club Intermediate Championship 2011

Quarter-Finals
Sunday October 30^th

@ Cloughduv                                   Ballyduff (Kerry) 1-14 Courcey Rovers (Cork) 0-15

@ Walsh Park Waterford Effin (Limerick) 0-13 Dunhill (Waterford) 1-4

Semi-Finals
Sunday November 6th

@ Kilmallock                                     Effin (Limerick) 2-15  Aherlow (Tipperary) 1-17

@ Austin Stack Park Tralee Ballyduff (Kerry) 3-8 Eire Og Ennis (Clare) 2-10

Final (Extra time)

Sunday November 20th (Replay date – Saturday November 26th)

@ Newcastlewest                            Effin (Limerick) v Ballyduff (Kerry) 2:00pm

Odds and Ends

Effin and Ballyduff have both scored an aggregate of 34 points in their two matches to date in their march to the Munster Club Intermediate Hurling Final. Ballyduff have proved the more prolific goal scorers with four green flags, accounting for a total of 4-22. Effin have relied more on scoring points, getting 2-28 in their two matches.

Effin have the better defensive record of the finalists, conceding 2-21 in their two games compared to Ballyduff who have conceded 2-25.

This year’s final sees both finalists qualifying for the final following victories in both the Munster Quarter-Final and Munster Semi-Final. This last happened in the Munster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship in 2003 when Bride Rovers (Cork) and Kilruane MacDonaghs (Tipperary) made it through to the final with Bride Rovers winning by 0-14 to 0-11. In 2008, Blarney (Cork) and Broadford (Clare) came through from the Quarter-Finals to contest the Final. However, Blarney received a walkover when Waterford did not have a representative in the competition so did not have to record two victories on the field of play to qualify for the final.

Of the 16 clubs to contest the final of the Munster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship, only the last 3 winners of the competition have managed to score two goals. 8 clubs have scored 1 goal in the final while 5 clubs have failed to raise a green flag. 2006 champions Clooney-Quin (Clare) are the only club to win the title without scoring a goal, defeating Bishopstown (Cork) by 0-14 to 1-8.

Since the competition began in 2003, Cork clubs have won 4 of the 8 Munster titles on offer. Clare are the only other county with a winning record in this competition, winning 2 Munster titles.

All Ireland GAA Club HURLING Intermediate Championship

In the Club Intermediate Hurling All Ireland Roll of Honour, Cork have secured 2 titles courtesy of Blarney (2009) and Ballymartyle (2011) while Kildangan (Tipperary) won the 2004 All-Ireland title.

Munster GAA Club HURLING Intermediate Championship Roll Of Honour

Cork (4) – 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010

Clare (2) – 2006, 2007

Tipperary (1) – 2004

Limerick (1) – 2009

Munster GAA Club HURLING Intermediate Championship

List of Winning Teams

2003 – Bride Rovers (Cork) 0-14 Kilruane MacDonagh’s (Tipperary) 0-11
BRIDE ROVERS, CORK: Denis Fitzgerald; Aidan Collins, Niall Fitzgerald, James Murphy; Barry Johnson, Barry Murphy, Brendan Walsh; Padraig Murphy, Brian Murphy; Donal Ryan, Michael Hogan, Terry Broderick; Richard Cahill, Sean Ryan (Captain), Jerome O’Driscoll.
Subs: Pat Cotter for Hogan

2004 – Kildangan (Tipperary) 1-10 Dromin Athlacca (Limerick) 1-4
KILDANGAN, TIPPERARY: Dermot Hogan; Brian Lawlor, Liam Kelly, Michael Ryan, Karl Hogan, Dan Hackett, Ger Slattery (Captain); Brian Kelly, John Maher; Tommy Connors, Liam Karl Flannery, Enda Nolan, Darragh Egan, Hugh Flannery, Conor Hayes.
Subs: Colm McGrath for Maher, Patrick Lynch for Hayes.

2005 – Ballinhassig (Cork) 1-12 Ballyduff Upper (Waterford) 0-13
BALLINHASSIG, CORK: Martin Coleman, Stephen McCarthy, Brian O’Sullivan, Brendan Coleman, James Ahearne, Michael Ahearne, Brendan Lombard, David Brennan, Kevin O’Sullivan, Paul O’Sullivan, John Mullaney, Stephen Dineen, Diarmuid Duggan, Dan O’Callaghan, John O’Sullivan.
Subs: Declan O’Sullivan for John O’Sullivan; Tadhg Coleman for Duggan

2006 – Clooney-Quin (Clare) 0-14 Bishopstown (Cork) 1-8
CLOONEY-QUIN, CLARE: Damien O’Halloran; Eoin Gallagher, Pat Markham, Joe O’Loughlin; Adrian Fleming, Cillian Duggan, Enda Harrison; Sean Conheady, Conor Harrison; John Earls, Fergal Lynch, Donnacha Murphy; Brian Shally, Ronan Gallagher, Cathal Egan
Subs: Shane McNamara for John Earls; Mark O’Halloran for Donnacha Murphy

2007 – Clonlara (Clare) 1-14 Dromin-Athlacca (Limerick) 1-8
CLONLARA, CLARE: Gerard O’Connell, Brian Woods, John Moloney, Paul Collins (Captain) Domhnall O’Donovan, Paul Nihill, Nicholas O’Connell, Cormac O’Donovan, Diarmuid Conway, John Conlan, Tomas O’Donovan, Patrick O’Hare, Darach Honan, Donal Maddan, Thomas Lynch
Sub: Alan O’Connell for Lynch (60th minute). Unused subs – Barry Moloney, Diarmuid O’Meara, William Slattery, Jason Murphy, John Barry, Eoin Hackett, Senan Nihill, Mark Dillon

2008 – Blarney (Cork) 2-7 Broadford (Clare) 0-3
BLARNEY, CORK: Ronan Byrne; Danny Cronin (Captain), Darragh McSweeney, Paul O’Leary; Joe Jordan, James Hughes, Stephen O’Donoghue; Brian Hurley, Mark McCarthy; Brian Deasy, Eoin Hallahan, Johnny Hurley; Mark Cremin, Ross McNamara, Colin Murphy
Subs: Gerard O’Donovan for Danny Cronin (27); Eugene McCarthy for Deasy (42); James O’Sullivan for McNamara (55); Dave McCarthy for Hallahan (58); Peter Aherne for Murphy (58)

2009 – South Liberties (Limerick) 2-10 Douglas (Cork) 1-12
SOUTH LIBERTIES, LIMERICK: Albert Shanahan; Shane Garry, Niall Shanahan, Tony Carroll; Thomas Ryan, Mark Keane, Shane O’Neill (Captain); William Hickey, Mike Keane; Brian Slattery, Anthony Owens, Rory O’Neill; Colm Godfrey, Ciaran Carbery, David O’Neill
Subs: Eamonn O’Connell for William Hickey (30); Derek Grimes for Colm Godfrey (30); Mike Moynihan for Ciaran Carbery (48)

2010 – Ballymartle (Cork) 2-14  Borrisokane (Tipperary) 0-8
BALLYMARTLE (CORK): Declan McCarthy; Daniel Coleman, Michael Tobin, Declan Dwyer; Daniel Edmonds, Patrick O’Dwyer (Captain), Noel Sheehan; S Corry, Graham Webb; Ruairiy Dwyer, Brian Corry, Barry Dwyer; Paul Coughlan, Jamie Dwyer, Dan Dwyer
Subs: Sean O’Mahoney for Coughlan (h-t), John Kelly for Sheehan (55), Eamonn Kelly for Webb (58), Colm Sheehan for S Corry (59)