Senior Hurling Championship 2012
May 6: Shelmaliers 1-15, Ferns St Aidans 2-11
The accurate striking of Conor Byrne saw Shelmaliers scrape past Ferns St. Aidans by the narrowest of margins in this evenly-contested Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship Group A game in Oylegate on Sunday last.
The big full-forward was clinical both from placed balls and play, notching ten points and grabbing a late winning score in the process.
This game was started at a hundred miles an hour and it wasn't long before Ferns opened the scoring with a Paul Morris point which was cancelled out almost immediately when Joe Kelly raced in on goal and finished to the net for Shelmaliers.
The eagerness of both sides saw some needless fouling early on which resulted in Morris and Byrne exchanging two pointed frees apiece before Eoin Doyle put Shelmaliers three clear with a point midway through the half.
Ferns turned this lead right around minutes later however, as they pounced for two goals in the space of a minute.
John Breen was first to strike with a neat finish, before Christopher O'Connor found himself in front of goal, thanks to a nice pass from Morris, and crashed a shot to the roof of the net.
Byrne replied with two sweetly-stuck frees before Stephen Banville did well to level things up again.
Morris and Benny Barron exchanged scores before Byrne had the last say of the half with another free, giving his side a one-point lead at half-time.
Ferns struck first on the re-start through Morris and Breen but their efforts were soon cancelled out by Brian Doyle and two scores from Byrne.
Benny Jordan went up the field to level things with a well-taken point, but his side were breathing a sigh of relief when Byrne raced in towards goal but only managed to find the side-netting.
He partially made up for this minutes later when he landed a huge free from the middle of the field to put Shelmaliers two up going into the final quarter.
Ferns threw everything at their opponents and it looked as if they might be going to take control as they notched up three quick points without reply through Breen, Ian Byrne and Jamie Whelan.
Byrne scored another free but this was immediately cancelled out at the other end by O'Connor.
Shelmaliers showed a bit more conviction in the final minutes which ultimately lead to them securing the win.
Ciarán O'Shaughnessy shipped a couple of heavy tackles in a solo run that he finished off with a great individual point to level the game, before Byrne grabbed his tenth point, and the eventual winner, with a fine effort from play in the final minutes.
Ferns had a couple of late chances to find an equaliser but after Morris' effort from a '65 didn't find the range, a Tommy Dwyer sideline ball was batted out wide, meaning Shelmaliers held on for a hard-fought win.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Niall Maguire, Colm Whelan, Colin Leacy; Benny Jordan (0-1), James Tonks, Ciarán Roberts; Tommy Dwyer, Seán Murphy; Ian Byrne (0-1), John Breen (1-2), Jonathan Dwyer; Paul Morris (0-5, 2 frees), Jamie Whelan (0-1), Christopher O'Connor (1-1). Sub: Eddie Cullen for J. Dwyer.
Shelmaliers: Brian Murphy; André O'Brien, Brian Malone, David Cloney; Benny Barron, Conor Walsh, Aidan Cash; Brian Doyle (0-1), Eoin Doyle (0-1); Ciarán O'Shaughnessy (0-1), Alan Griffith, Stephen Banville (0-1); Shane Griffith, Conor Byrne (0-10, 7 frees), Joe Kelly (1-0). Subs: Clive Lawler for Cloney, Chris McGrath for S. Griffith, Brian Tobin for A. Griffith.
Referee: Pat Kehoe (Rathgarogue/Cushinstown)
May 12: Ferns St Aidans 3-21, Glynn/Barntown 3-13
Ferns St Aidans overcame the disappointment of their one-point opening day loss at the hands of Shelmaliers in the Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship with an impressive showing in Bellefield on Saturday last.
It was an early must-win tie for the Gorey District side and they did it in style. In fact, had it not been for a late double-blast of Gary Moore frees, a much heavier victory was on the cards.
Playing with the aid of a substantial wind, Glynn-Barntown breezed into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes with the Doyles, Brendan and Michael, on target twice each. However, with ample talent in their opponents’ half of the field, Ferns had already gone close when Christopher 'Bitsy' O'Connor flicked an audacious effort onto the post.
After pulling within two, Paul Morris was next to fire a shot at the Glynn-Barntown goal. He picked up possession on the left-wing, waltzed around the last defender and blasted to the net (1-3 to 0-5). From that point the Killurin side would never regain parity.
'Bitsy' had two further efforts on target saved by Mark Fanning between the sticks - one of which looped over the crossbar - but the diminutive forward wouldn't be denied two minutes before the break when he latched on to Morris' through ball and fired home (2-8 to 0-8).
The lead, which was seven at the break, quickly swelled to nine within 60 seconds of the re-start but, just as it looked like Ferns would run away into the distance, Glynn-Barntown hit back with the only two minors in the next ten minutes.
While a lovely move involving John O'Flynn and Michael O'Regan saw Paul Carley goal to drag the Wexford District side within six, Ferns reeled off a run of points - meaning all six starting forwards had scored - and goaled for a third time when Jamie Whelan put the finishing touches to a Morris centre from the left (3-17 to 1-11).
Glynn-Barntown hadn't looked particularly penetrative until very late on when they bombarded the Ferns goal. It led to two Gary Moore 20-metre frees crossing Michael Walsh's line for a brace of waved green flags.
Indeed, an almighty scramble in injury time saw Walsh save twice from Moore and O'Flynn, while Carley pinged a ferocious effort off the crossbar. Yet, anything other than a comfortable Ferns win would have been unjust and Glynn-Barntown are left with a long and difficult road ahead if they are to reach the quarter-finals.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Niall Maguire, Colm Whelan, Colin Leacy; Seán Murphy, James Tonks, Ciarán Roberts; Brendan Jordan, Tommy Dwyer (0-7, 4 frees, 1 '65); Jonathon Dwyer (0-3), Jamie Whelan (1-1), Ian Byrne (0-2); John Breen (0-2), Christopher O'Connor (1-2), Paul Morris (1-4). Sub: Edward Cullen for O'Connor.
Glynn-Barntown: Mark Fanning; Nigel Usher, Pádraig Donnelly, Pádraig Greene; Barry Doyle, John Leacy (0-1), Kevin Crean; Alan Cowman, John O'Flynn; Paul Carley (1-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 '65), Michael Doyle (0-2), Gary Moore (2-3, 2-0 frees); Brendan Doyle (0-3), Michael O'Regan, P.J. Carley. Subs: J.J. Doyle for P.J. Carley, Shane Gubbins for Usher.
Referee: Joe Kelly (Naomh Eanna).
July 3: Ferns St Aidans 1-19, Buffers Alley 0-12
Ferns St. Aidans leaped to the top of Group A of the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship with a superb display against under-performing Buffers Alley in St. Patrick's Park on Wednesday last.
It was a clinical, almost professional, performance from the new table-toppers as they put away their more illustrious opponents with little fuss. For the Alley it was a second consecutive sub-par display following the great escape act against Shelmaliers and it raises genuine worries about their status as serious contenders.
For Ferns it was an evening to impress. Improvements in defence were mirrored in a forward line that showed great composure on the ball. However, their stand-out attribute was their ability to pick out team-mates in better positions - even if that meant turning around and playing a 40-metre backwards pass.
The first five minutes would have been just how Buffers Alley would have drawn them up as four points, with two coming from Keith Burke, saw them screech into a quick lead. However, the Ferns defence settled and conceded only eight further scores in the final 55 minutes while scoring on 20 occasions.
It was all Dwyers on the scoresheet in the opening 25 minutes as Tommy fired four scores to Johnathon's three to see Ferns ease into a 0-7 to 0-5 lead. Yet that wasn't all the story of a true team effort as points arrived from all areas of the pitch.
Down 0-9 to 0-7 at the interval, Buffers Alley could only muster two points in the next 20 minutes as the Ferns pressure started to tell. In that spell Brendan Jordan notched his second point, Paul Morris and Ian Byrne opened their accounts, but Johnathon Dwyer stole the limelight with the first of two line balls from over 50 metres out.
With the introduction of James Foley and Robert O'Leary the Monamolin men looked a little sharper in attack but Robbie Kirwan's red card, for an off-the-ball hurl to the chest of Christopher 'Bitsy' O'Connor, ended their faint hopes.
Ferns continued to tack on points but it was O'Connor who put a bow on their performance - rising highest to flick home a Tommy Dwyer free - and, while Seamus Kavanagh denied Jamie Whelan a stunning second after a fantastic Morris pass, it mattered little to the end result.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Ed Walsh, Colm Whelan, Colin Leacy; Sean Murphy, James Tonks, Ciaran Roberts; Brendan Jordan (0-2), Jonathon Dwyer (0-5, 2 lineballs); Tommy Dwyer (0-6, 4 frees, 1 '65), Jamie Whelan (0-1), John Breen; Ian Byrne (0-1), Paul Morris (0-2), Christopher O'Connor (1-2). Subs: Edward Cullen for Whelan, temp, Edward Cullen for Byrne.
Buffers Alley: Seamus Kavanagh; Paul Doran, Willie Doran, Robbie Kirwan; Ciaran Kenny, Barry Kenny, Kevin Roche; Pat Doran (0-2, 1 free), Pat Kenny; Sean Og Whelan, Paudie Reidy (0-2), Shane Grannell (0-1); Paraic Roche, Keith Burke (0-4, 0-1 free), Tomas O'Leary (0-1). Subs: James Foley (0-1) for Roche, Robert O'Leary (0-1) for Og Whelan.
Referee: Nicholas Kehoe (Cloughbawn)
August 3: Rathnure 2-17, Ferns St Aidans 2-15
RATHNURE SHOWED they are far from done as they bounced right back into the title race with a well-deserved two-point victory over Ferns St. Aidan's in this hugely-entertaining Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group A game at rain-lashed Bellefield on Friday last.
With just two points out of a possible six, many felt that Rathnure had one foot in the grave, particularly as they needed full points from their remaining two games to be fully sure of a quarter-final spot. But given the way other games bottomed out, the once kingpins of Wexford hurling, now on four points, are right back in contention.
Rathnure knew only one way to answer their critics. This was through their hurling on the pitch where they certainly showed they wanted more. Ferns had been the form team going into this game but they were never able to stamp any real authority on proceedings.
Rathnure drove at the Ferns defence straight from the throw-in, with Robbie Codd knifing his way through to find himself in a one-on-one with ‘keeper Mick Walsh. Somehow the goalie managed to knock Codd’s goalbound shot away for a ‘65 that Paul Codd put over the bar for the game’s opening score.
Two Tommy Dwyer pointed frees had Ferns leading by 0-2 to 0-1 after five minutes before Rathnure returned for points from Trevor Hogan and Richard Flynn. By the end of the opening quarter Rathnure led by 0-5 to 0-4, but they should have opened their goal account one minute later. Robbie Codd for the second time found himself through but kept his shot too close to the ‘keeper who got a hurley out to knock the ball away to safety. Minutes later Nigel Higgins sped his way through the defence but his goalbound shot rose over the bar for a point.
Rathnure were playing some quality hurling during this ten-minute spell and with Paul Codd showing his usual accuracy from placed balls along with efforts from Brendan O'Leary and Richard Flynn, they had moved into a 0-9 to 0-6 lead by the 20th minute.
The game really sprang to life, despite the breeze and rain, when Tommy Dwyer fired a semi-penalty to the net, after Eddie Cullen had been fouled by advancing ‘keeper Jim Morrissey, bringing the sides level (0-9 to 1-6). The sides continued to trade points with Ferns leading by the minimum (1-9 to 0-11) at the break.
Within 90 seconds of the re-start, Tommy Dwyer through a pointed free extended the Ferns lead, but Rathnure went on to take the initiative as Paul Codd pointed two frees to bring his side back level (0-13 to 1-10).
Having shown a goal threat from the outset, Robbie Codd eventually found the net in the 37th minute when, after fielding a high ball from his brother Paul, he shook off his marker, Tomás Hawkins, to fire low into the corner of the net. The score lifted Rathnure who went on to add points through Richard Flynn and a huge 90-metre Paul Codd free off the sideline to extend into a 1-15 to 1-10 lead after 40 minutes.
Ferns were now facing a huge challenge but they managed to respond with a Chris O'Connor point, while at the opposite end, Robbie Codd was hauled down as he moved in on goal, but Paul Codd choose to drive the resulting semi-penalty over the bar. Ferns responded with two Tommy Dwyer pointed frees, before a Paul Morris shot rebounded off the crossbar, with substitute Patrick Farrell pointing the breaking ball to leave just two points separating the sides (1-16 to 1-14) six minutes from the end.
Paul Codd (free) and Paul Morris exchanged points before Rathnure looked to have secured victory after Robbie Codd cut in along the endline and drove a great ball across the face of the goal into the opposite corner of the net (2-17 to 1-15).
Ferns went in search of a goal, with substitute Patrick Farrell driving home through a crowded goalmouth one minute from the end. They applied intense pressure in the following three minutes but Rathnure stood tall.
Ferns St Aidans: Mick Walsh; Colm Whelan, Tomás Hawkins, Colin Leacy; Seán Murphy, James Tonks, Ciarán Roberts; Jonathon Dwyer, Brendan Jordan; Tommy Dwyer (1-7 frees), John Breen, Ian Byrne (0-1); Paul Morris (0-3), Eddie Cullen, Chris O'Connor (0-1).
Subs: Derek Thorpe for Jordan, Declan Byrne for Cullen, Patrick Farrell (1-1) for J. Dwyer.
Rathnure: Jim Morrissey; Chris Redmond, Michael O'Leary, Antony O'Connell; Seán O'Neill, John O'Connor, Aidan Redmond; Shane Murphy, Paul Codd (0-8, 7 frees, 1 ‘65); Nigel Higgins (0-1), Brendan O'Leary (0-1), Trevor Hogan (0-1); Dermot Flynn (0-2), Robbie Codd (2-1), Richard Flynn (0-3).
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater)
August 18: Ferns St Aidans 1-16, Faythe Harriers 2-13
A HUGE John Breen point three minutes into additional time secured Ferns St. Aidan’s quarter-final spot in the most dramatic circumstances after an enthralling 60 minutes against high-flying Faythe Harriers in this Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group A game at Monamolin on Saturday last.
The manner in which Ferns clawed out this draw and crucial point suggests that they put the disappointment of the Rathnure defeat behind them as this was a hugely-impressive performance, having overcome a difficult start that saw Faythe Harriers shoot their two goals inside the opening five minutes.
Ferns were never going to allow themselves to be humiliated as they maintained their composure, battling their way back into the game, in what turned into an enthralling tussle. While they left it late to snatch that dramatic draw the only black mark on what was a performance of passion and no little skill was their erratic finishing from scoring positions which came close to coming back to haunt them.
One also witnessed the emergence of Faythe Harriers as a serious force. Clearly on a roll with some excellent results from their previous games, and no doubt buoyed on by their Under-21 side qualifying for the county final, they now seem to have got the match of physicality and hurling skills down to a tee. While they will be disappointed to have been caught at the death, they will still be happy to have emerged with a draw.
Faythe Harriers played some dazzling hurling during the opening exchanges. After Patrick Farrell and Jim Berry (free) had exchanged opening points, a Tommy Dwyer third-minute pointed free had Ferns back in front. One minute later Pádraigh Farrell who found the net from a Jim Berry cross, while after just five minutes, Paul Lambert picked out Rhys Clarke with an excellent pass, leaving the young attacker to power a shot across ‘keeper Michael Walsh into the opposite corner of the net, giving his side a 2-1 to 0-2 lead.
With the ball flowing from end to end, the sides continued to pick off some excellent points, but Faythe Harriers held a two-point interval lead (2-6 to 0-10).
The sides opened the second-half at a ferocious pace, exchanging two points apiece. Jim Berry (‘65) and Ian Byrne opened with points before Tommy Dwyer (free) and Jim Berry continued to trade points. A huge Richie Kehoe point lifted the town side, and when Jim Berry pointed a free, it made it 2-10 to 0-12 after 39 minutes.
Ferns continued to throw down the gauntlet to the Harriers with a Jonathan Dwyer goal, and when a Tommy Dwyer pointed free four minutes from the end had the sides level (1-14 to 2-11), it set the scene for a tense finish.
That's how it turned out. Points from Rhys Clarke and Shane Howard saw the Harriers lead by 2-13 to 1-14 with three minutes remaining.
Ferns turned in a stirring finish with first Paul Morris lofting over a long-range point while under pressure. But it did not seem enough until Morris once again won possession some 70 metres from goal.
Despite the presence of two defenders, he somehow created space to pick out John Breen with a pass, with the centre-forward still having much to do. Breen kept his composure and shook off a challenging defender to loft over a great levelling point.
Both sides saw point attempts finish wide in the closing seconds, but a draw was a fair result of what was a titanic struggle.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Seán Murphy, Edward Walsh, Colin Leacy; Colm Whelan, John Tonks, Ciarán Roberts; Jonathan Dwyer (1-0), Declan Byrne; Tommy Dwyer (0-7 frees), John Breen (0-2), Ian Byrne (0-1); Paul Morris (0-3), Patrick Farrell (0-2), Christopher O'Connor (0-1). Subs: Tomás Hawkins for Whelan, Eddie Cullen for Farrell.
Faythe Harriers: Ian Scallan; Brendan Mulligan, David Mooney, Alan Lynch; Emmet Keeling, Richie Kehoe (0-1), Lee Chin (0-1); Jim Berry (0-7, 3 frees, 2 ‘65s), Colm Heffernan; Wayne Mallon, Shane Howard (0-2), Pádraig Farrell (1-0); Paul Lambert, Kevin Gore, Rhys Clarke (1-2). Subs: Lee Murphy for Lambert, Ben O'Brien for Farrell.
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater)
September 1, quarter-final: Oulart/The Ballagh 1-25, Ferns St Aidans 0-17 (aet)
IT MAY have taken until extra-time for reigning champions Oulart-The Ballagh to rediscover their ruthless streak, as it was in this period that they dismantled the brave Ferns St. Aidan's challenge in this exciting Pettitt's Senior hurling championship quarter-final at Wexford Park on Saturday last.
After a dramatic opening 60 minutes when it took a Tommy Dwyer pressure point from a 60-metre free deep into additional time to force extra-time (0-16 to 1-13), the holders provided an unexpected backlash as they dismantled Ferns in the following 20 minutes with the class of hurling one had not seen for some time.
They restricted their opponents to one point, a Paul Morris effort in the third minute of the opening ten-minute spell, while they went on to add an amazing twelve points and only some brave goalkeeping from Conor Swaine denied them a goal.
Oulart-The Ballagh went from almost making their championship exit to showing that they are still the side to beat. Manager Pat Herbert would have been anything but happy with their display during the normal 60 minutes, but whatever was said before extra-time had the desired result as they were a transformed outfit, playing with flair and abandon as they simply destroyed what up to then was a brave Ferns challenge.
While Oulart-The Ballagh are back where they always expected to be, for Ferns it's the end of their season, but this was a battling display. For periods of the second-half in particular they looked like a side capable of causing the upset of the campaign, such was the manner in which they took the game to their opponents.
As the action entered the final quarter a brilliant pressure point from Tommy Dwyer in midfield sent the north county side into a 0-13 to 0-12 lead. From there to the end of normal time it was score for score with substitute Darren Nolan edging the champions a point in front at the end of normal time, but Dwyer kept his nerve from a free to force extra time.
It was a huge game for Ferns, but they allowed the titleholders into an early three-point lead through Rory Jacob with a fine effort off the sideline, Des Mythen and a Nicky Kirwan (free) after three minutes. Points from Jonathon Dwyer and Christopher O'Connor helped to steady the challengers, but they still trailed by 0-7 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter.
After a Paul Morris point had reduced the deficit, Oulart-The Ballagh responded with points from Shaun Murphy and two Kirwan frees, before Tommy Dwyer's effort for goal from an ordinary 21-metre free was saved and cleared. The holders finished the half strongly to lead by 0-12 to 0-5 at the interval.
As the second half unfolded, Ferns began to take a grip on proceedings. They hit seven unanswered points in a 13-minute spell immediately on the resumption through Tommy Dwyer (three frees), Ian Byrne (two), Eddie Cullen and Patrick Farrell to leave the sides level (0-12 each).
At the end of the opening quarter Tommy Dwyer from midfield gave Ferns the lead for the first time. Oulart-The Ballagh were taking a while to get going in this second period. But once Ferns failed to push on, the champions gathered themselves to launch a series of attacks, being driven forward by Darren Stamp and David Redmond.
Eleven minutes from the end they had their first second-half score when Daren Nolan put Rory Jacob through for a superb goal (1-12 to 0-13), but from there to the finish it was tense and fast as the sides could not be separated, finishing 1-13 to 0-16.
Oulart-The Ballagh, playing into the wind in the first period of extra-time, should have had a goal within 30 seconds but ‘keeper Conor Swaine advanced to superbly smother Rory Jacob's goal attempt. Conor O'Leary (free) and Paul Morris traded points, but with the Jacob brothers - Michael on as a substitute - along with Darren Nolan adding points, they led by 1-19 to 0-17 at the break.
The Oulart-The Ballagh dominance was to continue through the second period of extra-time as they ran out comfortable winners in the end.
Ferns St. Aidans: Conor Swaine; Seán Murphy, Edward Walsh, Colin Leacy; Colm Whelan (capt.), James Tonks, Ciarán Roberts; Jonathon Dwyer (0-1), Declan Byrne; Tommy Dwyer (0-7, 6 frees), Paul Morris (0-3), Ian Byrne (0-3); Patrick Farrell (0-1), Eddie Cullen (0-1), Christopher O'Connor (0-1). Subs: Jamie Whelan for Cullen, Brendan Jordan for D. Byrne, Tomás Hawkins for Murphy, Niall Maguire for C. Whelan, inj.
Oulart-The Ballagh: Ben O'Connor; Dennis Morton, Keith Rossiter (capt.), Barry Kehoe; Conor Goff (0-2), Darren Stamp, Shaun Murphy (0-1); David Redmond (0-1), Stephen Doyle (0-1); Rory Jacob (1-5), Garrett Sinnott (0-1), Conor O'Leary (0-5, 3 frees, 1 ‘65); Des Mythen (0-2), Frank Cullen, Nicky Kirwan (0-4, 3 frees). Subs: Laurence Prendergast for Doyle, Darren Nolan (0-1) for Murphy, Peter Murphy for Kirwan, Michael Jacob (0-2) for Cullen.
Referee: Seánie O'Shea (Blackwater).
The accurate striking of Conor Byrne saw Shelmaliers scrape past Ferns St. Aidans by the narrowest of margins in this evenly-contested Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship Group A game in Oylegate on Sunday last.
The big full-forward was clinical both from placed balls and play, notching ten points and grabbing a late winning score in the process.
This game was started at a hundred miles an hour and it wasn't long before Ferns opened the scoring with a Paul Morris point which was cancelled out almost immediately when Joe Kelly raced in on goal and finished to the net for Shelmaliers.
The eagerness of both sides saw some needless fouling early on which resulted in Morris and Byrne exchanging two pointed frees apiece before Eoin Doyle put Shelmaliers three clear with a point midway through the half.
Ferns turned this lead right around minutes later however, as they pounced for two goals in the space of a minute.
John Breen was first to strike with a neat finish, before Christopher O'Connor found himself in front of goal, thanks to a nice pass from Morris, and crashed a shot to the roof of the net.
Byrne replied with two sweetly-stuck frees before Stephen Banville did well to level things up again.
Morris and Benny Barron exchanged scores before Byrne had the last say of the half with another free, giving his side a one-point lead at half-time.
Ferns struck first on the re-start through Morris and Breen but their efforts were soon cancelled out by Brian Doyle and two scores from Byrne.
Benny Jordan went up the field to level things with a well-taken point, but his side were breathing a sigh of relief when Byrne raced in towards goal but only managed to find the side-netting.
He partially made up for this minutes later when he landed a huge free from the middle of the field to put Shelmaliers two up going into the final quarter.
Ferns threw everything at their opponents and it looked as if they might be going to take control as they notched up three quick points without reply through Breen, Ian Byrne and Jamie Whelan.
Byrne scored another free but this was immediately cancelled out at the other end by O'Connor.
Shelmaliers showed a bit more conviction in the final minutes which ultimately lead to them securing the win.
Ciarán O'Shaughnessy shipped a couple of heavy tackles in a solo run that he finished off with a great individual point to level the game, before Byrne grabbed his tenth point, and the eventual winner, with a fine effort from play in the final minutes.
Ferns had a couple of late chances to find an equaliser but after Morris' effort from a '65 didn't find the range, a Tommy Dwyer sideline ball was batted out wide, meaning Shelmaliers held on for a hard-fought win.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Niall Maguire, Colm Whelan, Colin Leacy; Benny Jordan (0-1), James Tonks, Ciarán Roberts; Tommy Dwyer, Seán Murphy; Ian Byrne (0-1), John Breen (1-2), Jonathan Dwyer; Paul Morris (0-5, 2 frees), Jamie Whelan (0-1), Christopher O'Connor (1-1). Sub: Eddie Cullen for J. Dwyer.
Shelmaliers: Brian Murphy; André O'Brien, Brian Malone, David Cloney; Benny Barron, Conor Walsh, Aidan Cash; Brian Doyle (0-1), Eoin Doyle (0-1); Ciarán O'Shaughnessy (0-1), Alan Griffith, Stephen Banville (0-1); Shane Griffith, Conor Byrne (0-10, 7 frees), Joe Kelly (1-0). Subs: Clive Lawler for Cloney, Chris McGrath for S. Griffith, Brian Tobin for A. Griffith.
Referee: Pat Kehoe (Rathgarogue/Cushinstown)
May 12: Ferns St Aidans 3-21, Glynn/Barntown 3-13
Ferns St Aidans overcame the disappointment of their one-point opening day loss at the hands of Shelmaliers in the Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship with an impressive showing in Bellefield on Saturday last.
It was an early must-win tie for the Gorey District side and they did it in style. In fact, had it not been for a late double-blast of Gary Moore frees, a much heavier victory was on the cards.
Playing with the aid of a substantial wind, Glynn-Barntown breezed into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes with the Doyles, Brendan and Michael, on target twice each. However, with ample talent in their opponents’ half of the field, Ferns had already gone close when Christopher 'Bitsy' O'Connor flicked an audacious effort onto the post.
After pulling within two, Paul Morris was next to fire a shot at the Glynn-Barntown goal. He picked up possession on the left-wing, waltzed around the last defender and blasted to the net (1-3 to 0-5). From that point the Killurin side would never regain parity.
'Bitsy' had two further efforts on target saved by Mark Fanning between the sticks - one of which looped over the crossbar - but the diminutive forward wouldn't be denied two minutes before the break when he latched on to Morris' through ball and fired home (2-8 to 0-8).
The lead, which was seven at the break, quickly swelled to nine within 60 seconds of the re-start but, just as it looked like Ferns would run away into the distance, Glynn-Barntown hit back with the only two minors in the next ten minutes.
While a lovely move involving John O'Flynn and Michael O'Regan saw Paul Carley goal to drag the Wexford District side within six, Ferns reeled off a run of points - meaning all six starting forwards had scored - and goaled for a third time when Jamie Whelan put the finishing touches to a Morris centre from the left (3-17 to 1-11).
Glynn-Barntown hadn't looked particularly penetrative until very late on when they bombarded the Ferns goal. It led to two Gary Moore 20-metre frees crossing Michael Walsh's line for a brace of waved green flags.
Indeed, an almighty scramble in injury time saw Walsh save twice from Moore and O'Flynn, while Carley pinged a ferocious effort off the crossbar. Yet, anything other than a comfortable Ferns win would have been unjust and Glynn-Barntown are left with a long and difficult road ahead if they are to reach the quarter-finals.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Niall Maguire, Colm Whelan, Colin Leacy; Seán Murphy, James Tonks, Ciarán Roberts; Brendan Jordan, Tommy Dwyer (0-7, 4 frees, 1 '65); Jonathon Dwyer (0-3), Jamie Whelan (1-1), Ian Byrne (0-2); John Breen (0-2), Christopher O'Connor (1-2), Paul Morris (1-4). Sub: Edward Cullen for O'Connor.
Glynn-Barntown: Mark Fanning; Nigel Usher, Pádraig Donnelly, Pádraig Greene; Barry Doyle, John Leacy (0-1), Kevin Crean; Alan Cowman, John O'Flynn; Paul Carley (1-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 '65), Michael Doyle (0-2), Gary Moore (2-3, 2-0 frees); Brendan Doyle (0-3), Michael O'Regan, P.J. Carley. Subs: J.J. Doyle for P.J. Carley, Shane Gubbins for Usher.
Referee: Joe Kelly (Naomh Eanna).
July 3: Ferns St Aidans 1-19, Buffers Alley 0-12
Ferns St. Aidans leaped to the top of Group A of the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship with a superb display against under-performing Buffers Alley in St. Patrick's Park on Wednesday last.
It was a clinical, almost professional, performance from the new table-toppers as they put away their more illustrious opponents with little fuss. For the Alley it was a second consecutive sub-par display following the great escape act against Shelmaliers and it raises genuine worries about their status as serious contenders.
For Ferns it was an evening to impress. Improvements in defence were mirrored in a forward line that showed great composure on the ball. However, their stand-out attribute was their ability to pick out team-mates in better positions - even if that meant turning around and playing a 40-metre backwards pass.
The first five minutes would have been just how Buffers Alley would have drawn them up as four points, with two coming from Keith Burke, saw them screech into a quick lead. However, the Ferns defence settled and conceded only eight further scores in the final 55 minutes while scoring on 20 occasions.
It was all Dwyers on the scoresheet in the opening 25 minutes as Tommy fired four scores to Johnathon's three to see Ferns ease into a 0-7 to 0-5 lead. Yet that wasn't all the story of a true team effort as points arrived from all areas of the pitch.
Down 0-9 to 0-7 at the interval, Buffers Alley could only muster two points in the next 20 minutes as the Ferns pressure started to tell. In that spell Brendan Jordan notched his second point, Paul Morris and Ian Byrne opened their accounts, but Johnathon Dwyer stole the limelight with the first of two line balls from over 50 metres out.
With the introduction of James Foley and Robert O'Leary the Monamolin men looked a little sharper in attack but Robbie Kirwan's red card, for an off-the-ball hurl to the chest of Christopher 'Bitsy' O'Connor, ended their faint hopes.
Ferns continued to tack on points but it was O'Connor who put a bow on their performance - rising highest to flick home a Tommy Dwyer free - and, while Seamus Kavanagh denied Jamie Whelan a stunning second after a fantastic Morris pass, it mattered little to the end result.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Ed Walsh, Colm Whelan, Colin Leacy; Sean Murphy, James Tonks, Ciaran Roberts; Brendan Jordan (0-2), Jonathon Dwyer (0-5, 2 lineballs); Tommy Dwyer (0-6, 4 frees, 1 '65), Jamie Whelan (0-1), John Breen; Ian Byrne (0-1), Paul Morris (0-2), Christopher O'Connor (1-2). Subs: Edward Cullen for Whelan, temp, Edward Cullen for Byrne.
Buffers Alley: Seamus Kavanagh; Paul Doran, Willie Doran, Robbie Kirwan; Ciaran Kenny, Barry Kenny, Kevin Roche; Pat Doran (0-2, 1 free), Pat Kenny; Sean Og Whelan, Paudie Reidy (0-2), Shane Grannell (0-1); Paraic Roche, Keith Burke (0-4, 0-1 free), Tomas O'Leary (0-1). Subs: James Foley (0-1) for Roche, Robert O'Leary (0-1) for Og Whelan.
Referee: Nicholas Kehoe (Cloughbawn)
August 3: Rathnure 2-17, Ferns St Aidans 2-15
RATHNURE SHOWED they are far from done as they bounced right back into the title race with a well-deserved two-point victory over Ferns St. Aidan's in this hugely-entertaining Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group A game at rain-lashed Bellefield on Friday last.
With just two points out of a possible six, many felt that Rathnure had one foot in the grave, particularly as they needed full points from their remaining two games to be fully sure of a quarter-final spot. But given the way other games bottomed out, the once kingpins of Wexford hurling, now on four points, are right back in contention.
Rathnure knew only one way to answer their critics. This was through their hurling on the pitch where they certainly showed they wanted more. Ferns had been the form team going into this game but they were never able to stamp any real authority on proceedings.
Rathnure drove at the Ferns defence straight from the throw-in, with Robbie Codd knifing his way through to find himself in a one-on-one with ‘keeper Mick Walsh. Somehow the goalie managed to knock Codd’s goalbound shot away for a ‘65 that Paul Codd put over the bar for the game’s opening score.
Two Tommy Dwyer pointed frees had Ferns leading by 0-2 to 0-1 after five minutes before Rathnure returned for points from Trevor Hogan and Richard Flynn. By the end of the opening quarter Rathnure led by 0-5 to 0-4, but they should have opened their goal account one minute later. Robbie Codd for the second time found himself through but kept his shot too close to the ‘keeper who got a hurley out to knock the ball away to safety. Minutes later Nigel Higgins sped his way through the defence but his goalbound shot rose over the bar for a point.
Rathnure were playing some quality hurling during this ten-minute spell and with Paul Codd showing his usual accuracy from placed balls along with efforts from Brendan O'Leary and Richard Flynn, they had moved into a 0-9 to 0-6 lead by the 20th minute.
The game really sprang to life, despite the breeze and rain, when Tommy Dwyer fired a semi-penalty to the net, after Eddie Cullen had been fouled by advancing ‘keeper Jim Morrissey, bringing the sides level (0-9 to 1-6). The sides continued to trade points with Ferns leading by the minimum (1-9 to 0-11) at the break.
Within 90 seconds of the re-start, Tommy Dwyer through a pointed free extended the Ferns lead, but Rathnure went on to take the initiative as Paul Codd pointed two frees to bring his side back level (0-13 to 1-10).
Having shown a goal threat from the outset, Robbie Codd eventually found the net in the 37th minute when, after fielding a high ball from his brother Paul, he shook off his marker, Tomás Hawkins, to fire low into the corner of the net. The score lifted Rathnure who went on to add points through Richard Flynn and a huge 90-metre Paul Codd free off the sideline to extend into a 1-15 to 1-10 lead after 40 minutes.
Ferns were now facing a huge challenge but they managed to respond with a Chris O'Connor point, while at the opposite end, Robbie Codd was hauled down as he moved in on goal, but Paul Codd choose to drive the resulting semi-penalty over the bar. Ferns responded with two Tommy Dwyer pointed frees, before a Paul Morris shot rebounded off the crossbar, with substitute Patrick Farrell pointing the breaking ball to leave just two points separating the sides (1-16 to 1-14) six minutes from the end.
Paul Codd (free) and Paul Morris exchanged points before Rathnure looked to have secured victory after Robbie Codd cut in along the endline and drove a great ball across the face of the goal into the opposite corner of the net (2-17 to 1-15).
Ferns went in search of a goal, with substitute Patrick Farrell driving home through a crowded goalmouth one minute from the end. They applied intense pressure in the following three minutes but Rathnure stood tall.
Ferns St Aidans: Mick Walsh; Colm Whelan, Tomás Hawkins, Colin Leacy; Seán Murphy, James Tonks, Ciarán Roberts; Jonathon Dwyer, Brendan Jordan; Tommy Dwyer (1-7 frees), John Breen, Ian Byrne (0-1); Paul Morris (0-3), Eddie Cullen, Chris O'Connor (0-1).
Subs: Derek Thorpe for Jordan, Declan Byrne for Cullen, Patrick Farrell (1-1) for J. Dwyer.
Rathnure: Jim Morrissey; Chris Redmond, Michael O'Leary, Antony O'Connell; Seán O'Neill, John O'Connor, Aidan Redmond; Shane Murphy, Paul Codd (0-8, 7 frees, 1 ‘65); Nigel Higgins (0-1), Brendan O'Leary (0-1), Trevor Hogan (0-1); Dermot Flynn (0-2), Robbie Codd (2-1), Richard Flynn (0-3).
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater)
August 18: Ferns St Aidans 1-16, Faythe Harriers 2-13
A HUGE John Breen point three minutes into additional time secured Ferns St. Aidan’s quarter-final spot in the most dramatic circumstances after an enthralling 60 minutes against high-flying Faythe Harriers in this Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group A game at Monamolin on Saturday last.
The manner in which Ferns clawed out this draw and crucial point suggests that they put the disappointment of the Rathnure defeat behind them as this was a hugely-impressive performance, having overcome a difficult start that saw Faythe Harriers shoot their two goals inside the opening five minutes.
Ferns were never going to allow themselves to be humiliated as they maintained their composure, battling their way back into the game, in what turned into an enthralling tussle. While they left it late to snatch that dramatic draw the only black mark on what was a performance of passion and no little skill was their erratic finishing from scoring positions which came close to coming back to haunt them.
One also witnessed the emergence of Faythe Harriers as a serious force. Clearly on a roll with some excellent results from their previous games, and no doubt buoyed on by their Under-21 side qualifying for the county final, they now seem to have got the match of physicality and hurling skills down to a tee. While they will be disappointed to have been caught at the death, they will still be happy to have emerged with a draw.
Faythe Harriers played some dazzling hurling during the opening exchanges. After Patrick Farrell and Jim Berry (free) had exchanged opening points, a Tommy Dwyer third-minute pointed free had Ferns back in front. One minute later Pádraigh Farrell who found the net from a Jim Berry cross, while after just five minutes, Paul Lambert picked out Rhys Clarke with an excellent pass, leaving the young attacker to power a shot across ‘keeper Michael Walsh into the opposite corner of the net, giving his side a 2-1 to 0-2 lead.
With the ball flowing from end to end, the sides continued to pick off some excellent points, but Faythe Harriers held a two-point interval lead (2-6 to 0-10).
The sides opened the second-half at a ferocious pace, exchanging two points apiece. Jim Berry (‘65) and Ian Byrne opened with points before Tommy Dwyer (free) and Jim Berry continued to trade points. A huge Richie Kehoe point lifted the town side, and when Jim Berry pointed a free, it made it 2-10 to 0-12 after 39 minutes.
Ferns continued to throw down the gauntlet to the Harriers with a Jonathan Dwyer goal, and when a Tommy Dwyer pointed free four minutes from the end had the sides level (1-14 to 2-11), it set the scene for a tense finish.
That's how it turned out. Points from Rhys Clarke and Shane Howard saw the Harriers lead by 2-13 to 1-14 with three minutes remaining.
Ferns turned in a stirring finish with first Paul Morris lofting over a long-range point while under pressure. But it did not seem enough until Morris once again won possession some 70 metres from goal.
Despite the presence of two defenders, he somehow created space to pick out John Breen with a pass, with the centre-forward still having much to do. Breen kept his composure and shook off a challenging defender to loft over a great levelling point.
Both sides saw point attempts finish wide in the closing seconds, but a draw was a fair result of what was a titanic struggle.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Seán Murphy, Edward Walsh, Colin Leacy; Colm Whelan, John Tonks, Ciarán Roberts; Jonathan Dwyer (1-0), Declan Byrne; Tommy Dwyer (0-7 frees), John Breen (0-2), Ian Byrne (0-1); Paul Morris (0-3), Patrick Farrell (0-2), Christopher O'Connor (0-1). Subs: Tomás Hawkins for Whelan, Eddie Cullen for Farrell.
Faythe Harriers: Ian Scallan; Brendan Mulligan, David Mooney, Alan Lynch; Emmet Keeling, Richie Kehoe (0-1), Lee Chin (0-1); Jim Berry (0-7, 3 frees, 2 ‘65s), Colm Heffernan; Wayne Mallon, Shane Howard (0-2), Pádraig Farrell (1-0); Paul Lambert, Kevin Gore, Rhys Clarke (1-2). Subs: Lee Murphy for Lambert, Ben O'Brien for Farrell.
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater)
September 1, quarter-final: Oulart/The Ballagh 1-25, Ferns St Aidans 0-17 (aet)
IT MAY have taken until extra-time for reigning champions Oulart-The Ballagh to rediscover their ruthless streak, as it was in this period that they dismantled the brave Ferns St. Aidan's challenge in this exciting Pettitt's Senior hurling championship quarter-final at Wexford Park on Saturday last.
After a dramatic opening 60 minutes when it took a Tommy Dwyer pressure point from a 60-metre free deep into additional time to force extra-time (0-16 to 1-13), the holders provided an unexpected backlash as they dismantled Ferns in the following 20 minutes with the class of hurling one had not seen for some time.
They restricted their opponents to one point, a Paul Morris effort in the third minute of the opening ten-minute spell, while they went on to add an amazing twelve points and only some brave goalkeeping from Conor Swaine denied them a goal.
Oulart-The Ballagh went from almost making their championship exit to showing that they are still the side to beat. Manager Pat Herbert would have been anything but happy with their display during the normal 60 minutes, but whatever was said before extra-time had the desired result as they were a transformed outfit, playing with flair and abandon as they simply destroyed what up to then was a brave Ferns challenge.
While Oulart-The Ballagh are back where they always expected to be, for Ferns it's the end of their season, but this was a battling display. For periods of the second-half in particular they looked like a side capable of causing the upset of the campaign, such was the manner in which they took the game to their opponents.
As the action entered the final quarter a brilliant pressure point from Tommy Dwyer in midfield sent the north county side into a 0-13 to 0-12 lead. From there to the end of normal time it was score for score with substitute Darren Nolan edging the champions a point in front at the end of normal time, but Dwyer kept his nerve from a free to force extra time.
It was a huge game for Ferns, but they allowed the titleholders into an early three-point lead through Rory Jacob with a fine effort off the sideline, Des Mythen and a Nicky Kirwan (free) after three minutes. Points from Jonathon Dwyer and Christopher O'Connor helped to steady the challengers, but they still trailed by 0-7 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter.
After a Paul Morris point had reduced the deficit, Oulart-The Ballagh responded with points from Shaun Murphy and two Kirwan frees, before Tommy Dwyer's effort for goal from an ordinary 21-metre free was saved and cleared. The holders finished the half strongly to lead by 0-12 to 0-5 at the interval.
As the second half unfolded, Ferns began to take a grip on proceedings. They hit seven unanswered points in a 13-minute spell immediately on the resumption through Tommy Dwyer (three frees), Ian Byrne (two), Eddie Cullen and Patrick Farrell to leave the sides level (0-12 each).
At the end of the opening quarter Tommy Dwyer from midfield gave Ferns the lead for the first time. Oulart-The Ballagh were taking a while to get going in this second period. But once Ferns failed to push on, the champions gathered themselves to launch a series of attacks, being driven forward by Darren Stamp and David Redmond.
Eleven minutes from the end they had their first second-half score when Daren Nolan put Rory Jacob through for a superb goal (1-12 to 0-13), but from there to the finish it was tense and fast as the sides could not be separated, finishing 1-13 to 0-16.
Oulart-The Ballagh, playing into the wind in the first period of extra-time, should have had a goal within 30 seconds but ‘keeper Conor Swaine advanced to superbly smother Rory Jacob's goal attempt. Conor O'Leary (free) and Paul Morris traded points, but with the Jacob brothers - Michael on as a substitute - along with Darren Nolan adding points, they led by 1-19 to 0-17 at the break.
The Oulart-The Ballagh dominance was to continue through the second period of extra-time as they ran out comfortable winners in the end.
Ferns St. Aidans: Conor Swaine; Seán Murphy, Edward Walsh, Colin Leacy; Colm Whelan (capt.), James Tonks, Ciarán Roberts; Jonathon Dwyer (0-1), Declan Byrne; Tommy Dwyer (0-7, 6 frees), Paul Morris (0-3), Ian Byrne (0-3); Patrick Farrell (0-1), Eddie Cullen (0-1), Christopher O'Connor (0-1). Subs: Jamie Whelan for Cullen, Brendan Jordan for D. Byrne, Tomás Hawkins for Murphy, Niall Maguire for C. Whelan, inj.
Oulart-The Ballagh: Ben O'Connor; Dennis Morton, Keith Rossiter (capt.), Barry Kehoe; Conor Goff (0-2), Darren Stamp, Shaun Murphy (0-1); David Redmond (0-1), Stephen Doyle (0-1); Rory Jacob (1-5), Garrett Sinnott (0-1), Conor O'Leary (0-5, 3 frees, 1 ‘65); Des Mythen (0-2), Frank Cullen, Nicky Kirwan (0-4, 3 frees). Subs: Laurence Prendergast for Doyle, Darren Nolan (0-1) for Murphy, Peter Murphy for Kirwan, Michael Jacob (0-2) for Cullen.
Referee: Seánie O'Shea (Blackwater).
