There was a queue of candidates from a battling Glenmore for the man of the match award as their powerhouse display saw off Ballycallan's bid to retain the Kilkenny senior title at Nowlan Park yesterday.
Eddie O'Connor, the former county captain, turned in such an impeccable display at full back that he would surely have deserved the honour. The fact that he didn't get it was indicative of how well-endowed in the talent department his side are.
Left corner forward Michael Murphy, because he put daylight between the teams with a blockbuster goal and a point within 30 seconds in the last quarter, was another strong candidate for the individual award, which, however, was ultimately - and deservedly - won by Seamie Dollard.
Dollard's midfield performance was one of the most accomplished seen on the hurling fields this year and the holders' central challenge suffered notably. The horse had bolted when Dennis Byrne was switched to the area for Ballycallan in the last quarter.
The 10,000-strong crowd warmed to a match that was more absorbing than spectacular on a dead surface, softened by heavy overnight rain. Glenmore hurled with great purpose in the second half, so much so that Ballycallan were flattered to find themselves within two points of their rivals at the end.
The holders' troubles started in midfield, although James Young had a fine first half; but the losers' shortcomings were greatly in evidence up front despite Dennis Byrne's three frees.
Perhaps they were unfortunate to find the O'Connor-inspired Glenmore defence in such uncompromising form, but in truth none of the losers' attackers seemed happy in their original positions.
Adrian Ronan started as though he was going to be a real worry for Glenmore. He moved away from Eddie O'Connor to the right corner and sniped a goal from close range when coming in on the end of a huge James Young free after only three minutes play. That particular storm blew itself out and Ronan was subsequently as ineffective as his colleagues.
Ballycallan's next score, a point from Byrne, did not come until 13 minutes later. Byrne kept his team marginally ahead with two rapid second-quarter points, but the best score of the opening half was to follow, a massive point by Ray Heffernan off a free from deep inside his own `65'.
Glenmore's dominance in defence and midfield became more obvious as the second half progressed and Murphy, in the left corner, made it count in a special way between the 50th and 51st minutes. Firstly, his goal was a classic, having careered in from the right before chipping Johnny Ronan, who had come off his line. Immediately following the puck out, Murphy was in full flight again. This time belting over an inspiring point. The Murphy blitz gave Glenmore a 1-13 to 1-5 advantage. "I knew at that stage that there was no way back for them" said Murphy. Ballycallan's recovery attempt, largely on the back of Byrne's accuracy, never seemed likely to succeed, even after substitute Thomas Dermody got lucky for a goal in the 59th minute.
Each and every one of the Glenmore defenders excelled - wing back Jimmy Walsh had to be replaced only because of a head wound sustained in the closing minutes. Richard Mulally was effective as Dollard's midfield partner and John Phelan led the attack with great authority. Johnny Butler and Paul Hoyne had sterling games in the losers' defence.
GLENMORE: F Kirwan; F Freyley, E O'Connor, M Aylward; P Mulally, W O'Connor, J Walsh; S Dollard (0-4), R Mulally; P Fitzgerald, J Phelan (0- 4), D Mulally (0-2, 1 free); R Heffernan (0-3, 2 frees), P J O'Connor, M Murphy (1-1). Subs: M Phelan for P J O'Connor (48 mins); S Vereker for Fitzgerald (55 mins); L Vereker for J Walsh (61 mins).
GRAIGUE-BALLYCALLAN: J Ronan; J Butler, P O'Dwyer, P Hoyne; T McCluskey, T Comerford, A Hoyne; E O'Dwyer, J Young (0-2, one 65); D Byrne (0-6, 3 frees), D Hoyne, D Cleere; J Ryall, A Ronan (1-0), P McCluskey. Subs: M Hoyne for Ryall (half-time); T Dermody (1-0), for P McCluskey (43 mins); G Cleere for D Cleere (58 mins). Referee: J Direen (O'Loughlin Gaels)
