Dicksboro overcome city rivals O'Loughlin Gaels in Byrne Cup Final

Dicksboro won the St. Canice’s Credit Union Byrne Cup Senior Hurling League Final after a very competitive game against their cross-city neighbours O’Loughlin Gaels in St. John’s Park on Tuesday evening.

Both teams fielded without a number of regular players, and that afforded the mentors an opportunity to give fringe players a chance to impress with the local senior hurling league / championship action commencing in under two weeks.

The Byrne Cup competition may not get the recognition it deserves from competing teams, but the two city rivals saw this final as a big opportunity to get some serious game time before the big throw in on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

It only took twenty seconds for the new recruit to O’Loughlin Gaels, Kerry’s Fionán Mackessy to show that he will be a huge addition to the reigning county champions this year.

Mackessy landed 1-8 for O’Loughlin Gaels, 1-5 from frees. He has already made a big name for himself with his native county Kerry and his strong physical stature and no little skill will add plenty to the city side’s attack over the coming months.

After Mackessy and Harry Shine had traded early points, Alex Sheridan grabbed the game’s first goal on seven minutes, a fine individual effort from the O’Loughlin Gaels corner forward.

The exchanges were even all through the opening half with Dicksboro midfielder Kevin Moore and full-forward Bill Sheehan landing some fine points for their side.

David Fogarty landed a brace for O’Loughlin Gaels from wing back when he pushed up the field to receive passes from colleagues.

If the fare was not quite at championship intensity, it was always very competitive, with both sides eager to get some early season silverware.

The winners lead by the minimum at the interval, but an early Jack Nolan point on the resumption tied the game for the seventh time.

Dicksboro scored the first of their two goals on six minutes when Sean Keenan picked out the unmarked Harry Shine who finished impressively after he had drifted away from his marker.

Four minutes later the winners added a second goal with Sean Keenan shooting low past Stephen Murphy

after the young attacker had broken through the O’Loughlin Gaels rearguard.

That goal gave the Boro strong momentum, but not for long as three minutes later Fionán Mackessy goaled from a twenty metre free after he had been fouled.

The margin was back to a goal two minutes later when Mackessy pointed from play out on the wing.

The intensity grew with the game entering the final quarter and a little flare-up saw a Dicksboro defender receive a yellow card for an over-robust challenge on an O’Loughlin Gaels attacker.

O’Loughlin Gaels did manage to get the margin back to two points with three minutes of normal time remaining, but Dicksboro’s ability to respond each time their opponents scored was key to their victory.

Harry Shine was outstanding from play and frees for the winners with Matthew Kelleher making a big impact in the second half. Cillian Buckley was superb at the heart of the winners defence, while Kevin Moore, Niall Rowe and Bill Sheehan were others to impress.

Fionán Mackessy was one of a number of stand-out performers for O’Loughlin Gaels with Anthony Forristal, David Fogarty, Jack Nolan and Paddy Butler also putting in strong displays.

O’Loughlin Gaels worked hard for a late equalising goal, but tenacious defending from the Boro kept their goal intact and they went on to deservedly win on a score of 2-22 to 2-19 after a very enjoyable game before a good attendance.

Both sides will be stronger in two weeks for the throw-in of the St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League/Championship. Dicksboro play Tullaroan in their opening game, while the reigning county champions O’Loughlin Gaels will play Clara.

Teams and Scorers

Dicksboro- Harry Shine (1-11, 0-6 Frees); Kevin Moore (0-4); Bill Sheehan, Matthew Kelleher (0-3, each); Sean Keenan (1-0); Ollie Walsh (0-1).

O’Loughlin Gaels- Fionán Mackessy (1-8, 1-5 Frees); Sean Bolger (0-3, 0-2 Frees); Alex Sheridan (1-0); David Fogarty, Paddy Butler, Jack Nolan (0-2, each); Luke Hogan, Eoin O’Shea (0-1, each).

Dicksboro-  Darragh Holohan; Tommy Farrell; Niall Rowe; Johnny Keane; Ollie Walsh; Cillian Buckley; Evan Cody;

Cillian Hackett; Kevin Moore; Mark Nolan; Harry Shine; Liam Brennan-Smyth; Sean Keenan; Bill Sheehan; Matthew Kelleher.

Subs – Shane O’Brien for Sean Keenan; Tom Carroll for Ollie Walsh.

O’Loughlin Gaels- Stephen Murphy; Barry Lawlor; Anthony Forristal; Ronan Buckley; David Fogarty; Jamie Young; Matthew Russell; Jack Nolan; Jamie Ryan; Luke Hogan; Paddy Butler; Fionán Mackessy; Alex Sheridan; Eoin O’Shea; Sean Bolger.

Subs – Owen Wall for Sean Bolger; Jordan Molloy for Luke Hogan; Conor Kelly for Jamie Ryan.

Referee – Richard Holland (Tullaroan).