Offaly’s eight championship games of 1998

As John McIntyre’s term in charge of the Offaly Senior hurlers was not renewed, he was replaced by the former Tipperary and Laois manager, Michael ‘Babs’ Keating. At club level, Seir Kieran also had a new coach, Michael Connolly of Kinnitty (who had previously coached the Clareen U-16’s to a county title in 1983). This was just one more sign of how tightly the fortunes of Seir Kieran and Offaly had converged. Club and county would both win a long-odds Senior Championship in 1998, be knocked off their perch in 1999, and claw back into the Final in 2000.

In the National Hurling League in the Spring of 1998, Offaly avoided a relegation play-off against Kilkenny only by virtue of a better scoring record than had Antrim. Mitigating factors were Johnny Dooley’s knee trouble, and the absence of the Birr contingent (which again lifted the Tommy Moore Cup on St Patrick’s Day). Although the injury situation had reached crisis proportions by the first round of the championship, Offaly beat Meath with 32 points to spare (4-28 to 0-8). This was a good tee-up for the crucial Leinster Semi-final. At Croke Park on 14 June 1998, a heart-stopping game of swaying fortunes again looked to be shaded Wexford’s way. However, the Slaneysiders would come to rue their nine first-half wides, as Offaly’s vastly-improved teamwork in the second half brought them within range. Paul Codd’s ninth point put Wexford two clear, leaving Offaly no option but to go for broke. On 69 minutes, Johnny Dooley’s strike found its way through a crowded goalmouth to the net, and Wexford were eliminated by 1-15 to 0-17.

Notwithstanding Offaly’s fortuitous victory, dissent was still brewing over Babs Keating’s coaching regimen. This consisted mainly of Johnny Murray’s physical training drills, rather than hurling practice (although the physical fitness undoubtedly stood to Offaly later on in the year). On 5 July 1998, Offaly’s 15th Leinster Senior Hurling Final appearance since 1980 resulted in a poor performance against Kilkenny, and a 3-10 to 1-11 defeat. The Cats were not at their sharpest either, but got over the finish line with two converted frees by DJ Carey (who had retired from inter-county hurling and then changed his mind). As the “back door” system now gave a second chance to beaten provincial finalists, Offaly were still alive. However, Babs Keating’s post-match comments to the press, in which he disparaged his side’s commitment, incensed several of the panel. Johnny Pilkington became their spokesman by giving a press interview of his own the following day. It became clear that Keating lacked sufficient support, either among the players or at the County Board, to stay in the saddle. He was replaced by Michael Bond of Galway, who had coached the Galway U-21 hurlers to an All Ireland in 1983.

Offaly’s first “back door” match was the All Ireland Senior Hurling Quarter-final against Antrim. Due to the sectarian violence that racked Northern Ireland that July, very few Antrim supporters came to Croke Park for this game. Offaly won by 2-18 to 2-9, and advanced to the All Ireland Semi-final with everything to prove. The defending champions, Clare, were also on a mission, as the disciplinary action taken against Colin Lynch (after the Munster Final against Waterford) left them feeling hard done by. The result was a contest of gladiatorial intensity, that finished Offaly 1-13, Clare 1-13. Back at Croke Park on Saturday 22 August, Offaly lined out wearing black armbands in memory of Paudie Mulhare’s father, who had died that morning. (Ger Oakley started at midfield in place of Mulhare.) The Bannermen gave a more assured display than the previous week, and were ten points ahead at one stage. Offaly’s drastic switches of personnel helped them to find their rhythm, and to rattle Clare in the closing stages. They were still three points behind when referee Jimmy Cooney blew it up – after only 32 minutes and 54 seconds, or five minutes sooner than the referee had intended. He tried restarting, but several players were leaving the pitch and too many supporters were milling around. (In the subsequent weeks, abusive, cowardly and anonymous phone calls would be made to the referee’s family home.)

The upshot was a sit-in on the pitch by up to 3,000 Offaly supporters, so the Kerry v Kildare U-21 ‘B’ hurling final had to be abandoned. This demonstration upped the ante on the Games Administration Committee, and deepened the bonds between the Offaly panel and its fan base. On the other hand, – and notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 137 of the Official Guide – the decisive factor was Clare’s sportsmanship in not disputing the decision to stage the contest a third time. This would cost them dearly at Semple Stadium the following Saturday, when it was Offaly who prevailed by 0-16 to 0-13. IR£200,000 of the proceeds of this game went to help those hurt or bereaved by the Omagh Bombing. Joe Dooley was both top scorer and Man of the Match; Ger “Sparrow” O’Loughlin was replaced having got no change out of Kevin Kinahan; while the goalie Stephen Byrne (Kilcormmac/ Killoughey) pulled off three superb saves. This was a team performance and there were no weak links. Michael Bond’s charges continued this run of form into the All Ireland Final itself, on 13 September 1998. Once more facing a physically-tough Kilkenny side, Offaly overturned the Leinster Final verdict and won by 2-16 to 1-13. Of a myriad highlights, few would be more talked about than Brian Whelahan’s move upfield, to become the fulcrum of the Offaly attack. Before lifting the McCarthy Cup, Offaly captain Hubert Rigney (St Rynagh’s) declared: “We may have gone in the back door – but we’re coming out the front!” The next issue of the Midland Tribune attempted to sum up, from the Faithful County’s point of view, a roller-coaster year:“So who are the heroes? Eighteen on the pitch on Sunday, ten more in the dugout, three in charge, and the team secretary from old Clareen in the background. Brendan Ward too deserves immense credit, along with Christy Todd, and all who contributed to what was the most controversial and the most amazing hurling year of all time.”

Seir Kieran’s eleven championship games of 1998

The Liam MacCarthy Cup stopped off in Clareen on Wednesday, 16 September 1998, another magical night for both club and parish. The All Star Awards won by Joe Dooley and Kevin Kinahan in December were the icing on the cake. Even so, Seir Kieran’s main focus remained the Offaly SHC. Apart from Michael Connolly the coach, the selectors for 1998 were Sean Coughlan, Sean Bergin and Willie Dooley. Their first assignment on 25 April was the recently crowned All Ireland Club champions. Conditions were heavy – one of Liam Coughlan’s puck-outs plugged without a bounce into the muck – but both sides hurled well. As usual, though, Birr’s switches stifled Seir Kieran’s early advantage, and they gradually pulled away (Birr 3-14, Seir Kieran 2-7). Another defeat in the second round (Coolderry 1-7, Seir Kieran 0-6) used up more of Seir Kieran’s nine lives. On the bright side, they could hope to have Johnny Dooley recovered from injury by the time the domestic championship resumed.

Seir Kieran clambered back into contention in the Autumn by four wins in four weeks, beating Drumcullen by 3-10 to 1-8, Lusmagh by 3-9 to 1-10, Tullamore by 2-14 to 2-8, then Kilcormac/ Killoughey by 3-16 to 1-10 in the Quarter-final. Joe Dooley inspired many of their best passages of play. It was the same story against Coolderry on 25 October, when the black and amber avenged their May defeat (3-10 to 1-10) and stormed into their tenth Offaly Senior Hurling Final since 1985. In a tense and scrappy decider on 10 November 1998, St Rynagh’s scored 1-6 from play (to only 0-1 from play for the Clareen men). However, Johnny Dooley converted from each of the ten frees (including a last-minute ’65) awarded within scoring range, and the sides finished deadlocked (Seir Kieran 0-11, St Rynagh’s 1-8). Thirteen days later, the two clubs renewed their epic rivalry. Seir Kieran prevailed by 1-11 to 0-8.

Amidst jubilant scenes in St Brendan’s Park, Kevin Kinahan lifted the Sean Robbins Cup, the last act of a quite extraordinary Offaly Senior Hurling Championship. That still left the Leinster Club championship to attend to. The following day (Sunday 22 November) the team traveled to Arklow and beat Kiltegan by 2-12 to 0-9. As was the case in 1988, 1995 and 1996, the Leinster Club Semi-final at Nowlan Park proved a bridge too far. On 29 November, Rathnure beat the Offaly standard-bearers by 3-11 to 2-8. Nonetheless, the year 1998 stands among Seir Kieran’s finest, as was well expressed in a message from Carrig & Riverstown, another rural club:“Well done to Seir Kieran on winning the County Final in Birr last Saturday. Apart from being unlucky in last year’s Final they have now won four Championships. They give great hope for the survival and the future of small clubs.”

Losing the crown – Seir Kieran and Offaly in 1999

The Seir Kieran National School panel who won the Offaly U-12 ‘C’ hurling competition in 1999

In April 1999, Seir Kieran reached another Offaly Junior Hurling League decider. Although they lost to Lusmagh in the Final (4-7 to 3-6), their battling display augured well for the fast-approaching championships. Seir Kieran’s defence of their Senior Title opened on the first of May, with a 3-7 to 0-11 win over Drumcullen – although “the Sash” stayed in the lead until late on. Seir Kieran also looked vulnerable against Kilcormac/ Killoughey in the second round. With Johnny Dooley again out, the black and amber had 14 wides and lost by 1-14 to 3-6. When the Offaly SHC resumed in August, Sseir Kieran proved themselves back on song with a 1-16 to 0-10 win over Coolderry. Rath was the venue for the fourth round match against St Rynagh’s, in which Johnny Dooley scored ten points to match his exploits in the drawn Final of 1998. Paudie Mulhare equalized for the Banagher side (0-15 apiece). In the last group game, Seir Kieran succumbed to an ominous 3-17 to 1-12 defeat by Birr. Although a hard-fought, touch-and-go victory (1-13 to 2-9) over Lusmagh in the Quarter-final steadied the Clareen ship, they still had come up with no answers for Birr by the time of the Semi-final. The defending champions were eliminated on the score-line Birr 3-22, Seir Kieran 1-7. It was the first time in six years that the black and amber had failed to contest the Offaly Senior Hurling Final. On the other hand, they reached the Offaly Junior ‘A’ Hurling Final on 25 September 1999 – the first time Seir Kieran had done so in 30 years. They narrowly lost the Final to Kilcormac/ Killoughey (1-12 to 2-6). Meanwhile, John Coughlan the club’s president and his wife Mary received a Sean Gael award at a function in Tullamore.

When the 1999 inter-county championships got going, Seir Kieran again had four representatives on Michael Bond’s panel. In addition, Damien Murphy, James Coakley and Joe Guinan were called up to the Offaly Intermediate panel, coached by Paddy Scales (St Rynagh’s) with selectors Seamus Coakley (Seir Kieran) and Joe Cleary (Shinrone). The Intermediates were beaten by Kilkenny in June. In the Leinster Senior Hurling Semi-final on 20 June 1999, Offaly saw off Wexford by 3-17 to 0-15. Joe, Billy and Johnny Dooley pitched in for a combined 1-13, and Kevin Kinahan also played a stormer. In the Leinster Final on 11 July, however, the reigning Leinster Champions, now coached by Brian Cody felled the reigning All Ireland Champions (Kilkenny 5-14, Offaly 1-16). Kilkenny’s goals were scored by DJ Carey (2), Henry Shefflin, Charlie Carter and Brian McEvoy. With their pride severely stung, the Faithful County regrouped admirably. Antrim hit them with everything in the All Ireland Quarter-Final, but Offaly still won by 4-22 to 0-12. The All Ireland Semi-final on 8 August 1999 was only the second-ever meeting between Cork and Offaly in the Senior Hurling Championship, and Joe Dooley was the only player to span the fifteen years since the Centenary Final. Notwithstanding the wet and greasy conditions, the game became an instant classic of wet-day hurling, and the caliber of both sides’ display was absolutely top-drawer. The Rebels shaded it by 0-19 to 0-16. Cork and Offaly each scored 0-12 from play, so the match turned on the frees awarded by the referee, Dickie Murphy. Another crucial factor was the maturity shown by Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s gifted young team when Offaly’s grip seemed to be tightening. In the aftermath, Johnny Pilkington expressed his side’s perplexity at having played so brilliantly, and yet having lost the game:“I don’t know where it went wrong – if it did go wrong.”

The championships of 2000

Pat Fleury took over from Michael Bond for the 2000 season, for which Johnny Dooley was team captain. Although both Billy Dooley and Martin Hanamy had retired, Offaly again defeated Wexford (3-15 to 0-8) in the opening round of the championship. When both the Offaly Minor and U-21 hurling teams won out their Leinster Finals, it briefly seemed that the Faithful County’s underage prospects were reviving. In the Leinster Senior Hurling Final, however, Kilkenny beat Offaly comprehensively (Kilkenny 2-21, Offaly 1-13). Kevin Kinahan grimly summed up this third-in-a-row Leinster Final defeat: “They opened us up and spread us out – typical Kilkenny.” The All Ireland Quarter-final took place on 23 July 2000, between Offaly and Derry.

Tony Murphy, long-serving Offaly Hurling Secretary, at the All Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-final, 6 August 2000. It finished Offaly 0-19, Cork 0-15.

Not only had Derry shocked Antrim in the Ulster decider, but in the second half of this Quarter-final, Offaly’s experimental side looked to be in real difficulty. With an outstanding 12 points from Johnny Dooley, the Faithful County pulled through (Offaly 2-23, Derry 2-17). Not many people rated their chances for the All-Ireland Semi-final re-match against Cork. On the day, however, Offaly wore down their opponents with a display of passion, power and pride, before storming to a famous 0-19 to 0-15 victory. Gary Hanniffy (Birr) got the better of Brian Corcoran, while Kevin Kinahan effortlessly intercepted the balls lofted in towards Joe Deane in the second half. Joe Dooley rated this: “one of the sweetest victories of my career.”.

Although Pat Fleury’s team were still the underdogs going into the All Ireland Final (10 September 2000), they believed that losing both the 1998 and the 1999 Finals would pile the pressure on Kilkenny in the closing stages. For this to be a factor, Offaly would have to prevent the concession of goals early on. That was exactly what they failed to do, as the rampant Cats scored two early goals. Johnny Dooley led by example and never gave up, but each time Offaly looked like making a comeback, Kilkenny bagged another goal. It finished Kilkenny 5-15, Offaly 1-14. Just like in 1984 and 1995, the supporters turned out for the team’s homecoming in their droves. Johnny Dooley said: “I think this is not the end of Offaly hurling”. The Offaly captain would receive his third All Star Award in December 2000.

As usual, the end of Offaly’s All Ireland campaign signaled the resumption of the domestic Senior Hurling Championship, in which Seir Kieran had finished level in the first round in April (Seir Kieran 1-11, Kilcormac/ Killoughey 1-11) then again against St Rynagh’s in May (Seir Kieran 1-12, St Rynagh’s 0-15). On 16 September 2000, yet a third draw (1-13 to 0-16) was the result against Birr, when a last-gasp free by Brian Whelahan – the only still-playing athlete to be selected on the GAA’s Team of the Millennium – tied it up for the town. Seir Kieran’s first outright win of that year’s SHC finally came on 24 September against Lusmagh, when a rain of points from all angles made it Seir Kieran 1-19, Lusmagh 2-8. Next up was Ballyskenagh, whom the black and amber defeated (Seir Kieran 4-10, Ballyskenagh 1-9) to earn direct passage to the last four. Against Kilcormac/ Killoughey on 3 December 2000, Seir Kieran narrowly prevailed (0-11 to 0-10), despite the match being marred by an injury to Joe Dooley. That winter was one of the wettest since records began, and was followed in early Spring 2001 by the Foot and Mouth crisis. Therefore, the 2000 Offaly Senior Hurling Final did not proceed until 25 March 2001. It ended Birr 3-21, Seir Kieran 1-9 – the biggest Clareen defeat in the County Final since 1952.