Offaly SHC: Kilcormac-Killoughey and Ballinamere prevail
Kilcormac-Killoughey forward Adam Screeney. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
By Kevin Egan
Kilcormac-Killoughey narrowly escaped with their aspirations of retaining the Offaly SHC title intact with an extra-time win over St. Rynaghs in Tullamore on Saturday.
On Sunday afternoon in Birr, Ballinamere, who have never won an Offaly SHC title and competed in just two finals (1908 and 2024) overcame Belmont.
The majority of these Belmont players will pull on Ferbane jerseys in next Sunday’s senior football final against Tullamore, but they will have it all to do to lift themselves after coming from seven points down early in the second half, with a strong breeze blowing into their faces at that time, to eventually lose out by 4-18 to 3-19.
Ballinamere, packed with county senior panelists and eager to get back to the county final after running Kilcormac-Killoughey so close two years ago, made the better start into the breeze and would have been the happier team midway through the first half, with Brian Duignan and Daniel Bourke hurling very well in the forward division.
Oisín Kelly set up David Kelly for a Belmont goal to give the underdogs a narrow lead, but the contest turned decisively in favour of Ballinamere in the 10 minutes before half-time, with Duignan getting a vital touch for their first goal before Aaron Maher and Mike O’Brien raised further green flags.
Paddy Clancy gave Belmont a lifeline with a goal to make it 3-10 to 2-10 shortly after the break, but Daniel Bourke followed up with the score of the game, a magnificent touch and flick on a dropping sliotar to hit back for Ballinamere.
It was 4-14 to 2-13 and all going Ballinamere’s way with 20 minutes remaining, but Belmont produced a sensation finish and could well have snatched the win.
Oisín Kelly launched their comeback with a trademark goal after 43 minutes, all power and pace down the middle, but he was denied another one late on by a Ciarán Burke block, while Belmont will also be haunted by a string of missed frees into the tricky breeze.
Twice they got within a point, but Duignan showed great composure to see out the win from his opportunities, bringing his tally to 1-8 in the process.
In 2025, Kilcormac-Killoughey were unbeaten in Offaly while one of the traditional powerhouse clubs in the Faithful County, St. Rynagh’s, flirted with relegation. This year Kilcormac-Killoughey opened the championship with a loss to Coolderry before finding their feet, while St. Rynagh’s were transformed, winning four out of their five matches.
Kilcormac were dominant following a late Eoin Woods free that levelled matters at 1-20 each, running out 1-34 to 2-23 winners after the 80 minutes were done.
There will be concerns for Kilcormac-Killoughey manager Declan Laffan and his selectors about the injury to totemic centre back Cillian Kiely, with starting full-back Jordan Quinn already ruled out for the year, and the unavailability of Offaly captain Charlie Mitchell due to illness.
However, the return of Adam Screeney balances the scales to a considerable degree as he shot 0-16 in total, 0-6 from play, in a majestic display.
All-Star nominee Ben Conneely had another fine outing for St. Rynagh’s, as did Woods who finished with 1-11, but Kilcormac-Killoughey had enough leaders, with Colin Spain continuing his incredible season at midfield while Daniel Hand (1-3) and Thomas Geraghty (0-3) played their part up front.
