Junior Hurling Championship 2013
May 12: Ferns St Aidans 3-15, Geraldine O’Hanrahans 0-6
WITH Anthony ‘Scoby’ Dwyer notching 1-7, the Ferns St Aidans second string made it a very successful hurling championship Sunday for the club when getting the better of their counterparts from Geraldine O’Hanrahans in Sunday evening’s Junior Group A first round tie at Taghmon.
Only hours after the Ferns first string had a comfortable win over Shelmaliers, the understudies really got to grips with their bid when forging ahead by 3-4 to 0-5 at half time, despite having faced the gale during that opening period.
The Geraldines actually opened brightly to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 after ten minutes thanks to Mick Cleere (2), Brian Haberlin and Michael Cullen. But the New Ross men were then rocked as Ferns pounced for two quick goals, before adding a third late in the half, as Scoby Dwyer, Thomas Dwyer and Jamie Nunbar helped them to net a tidy eight-point advantage at the interval.
As they turned around with the wind now at their backs, Ferns merely went through the motions during the second half as they recorded a commanding success.
Ferns St Aidans: Conor Swaine; Teo Leacy, Padraig Bolger, John Murphy; Patrick Breen, Patrick Codd, John O’Leary; Peter Codd, Tomas Hawkins; David Murphy (0-4), Jamie Dunbar (capt., 1-0), Keith Rynhart; Derek Thorpe (0-5), Anthony Dwyer (1-7, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65), Thomas Dwyer (1-0). Subs: Paul Lancaster for Padraig Bolger; Gearoid Bennett for Anthony Dwyer; Robert Murphy for David Murphy; Oisin MacPartlin for Peter Codd; Colm O’Hagan for Thomas Dwyer.
Geraldine O’Hanrahans: Niall Carroll; Colm Fenlon, Jason Purcell, Dave McCarthy; Dean Prendergast, Stephen Somers (capt.), Barry Kelly; Brian Haberlin (0-1), Danielius Nickis; Martin Doran (0-1), Mick Cleere (0-2,1 free), Michael Cullen (0-2 frees); Stephen Ryan, Mark Murphy, Michael Doyle. Sub: Padraig O’Gorman for Colin Fenlon.
May 19: Ferns St Aidans 0-15, Our Lady’s Island 3-6
A 63rd minute goal from Dean Maloney secured an unlikely draw for Our Lady’s Island against a superior Ferns St Aidans second string in the second round Group A county Junior Hurling Championship tie at Hollymount on Sunday.
Ferns appeared to be cruising, and with Derek Thorpe and Anthony Dwyer in clinical form, enjoyed an early 0-4 to nil lead. The Island relied almost entirely on placed balls, and had notched 1-2 before the interval, the goal coming from a Liam Kinsella penalty on 22 minutes.
Ferns asserted new superiority in the second half, reeling off four unanswered points to lead by 0-12 to 1-2 after 42 minutes. Full back Sean Carty then landed Our Lady’s Island’s first score from play, and John Walsh cut the gap to 0-14 to 1-5.
While Kinsella gave the Island hope with a goal from a free on 56 minutes, Jamie Dunbar replied with a point al-most immediately to give Ferns a four point cushion (0-15 to 2-5). However, in a remarkable finale, Walsh narrowed the gap to three points a minute into injury time, while two minutes later Maloney broke free to lob the ball to the net for a real sucker punch goal that forced a draw.
Ferns St Aidans: Conor Swaine; Teo Leacy, Padraig Bolger, John Murphy; Padraig Walsh (0-1), Patrick Codd, John O’Leary; Peter Codd (0-1), Patrick Breen; Keith Rynhart, Anthony Dwyer (0-6, 4 frees), David Murphy (0-1); Derek Thorpe (0-3), Tomas Hawkins (0-2), Jamie Dunbar (0-1). Subs: Andy Cash for David Murphy; Brian O’Neill for Keith Rynhart; Niall Byrne for Peter Codd.
Our Lady’s Island: Noel Dempsey; Davy Corish, Sean Carty (0-1), Frankie Corish; Colm Kinsella, Eamon Mal-oney, Fintan Mullins; Eoin Kinsella, Liam Kinsella (2-0, 1 penalty, 1 free); Ger Burke, Nicky Keane, Darragh Sinnott; Keith Rooney, Dean Maloney (1-0), John Walsh (0-5). Sub: Alan Kinsella for Darragh Sinnott.
June 16: Ferns St Aidans 1-10, Shelmaliers 1-6
FERNS St Aidans got the better of Shelmaliers in a tight Junior Hurling Championship match played in sloppy conditions at Monamolin.
Very little seperated these two evenly-matched sides until Anthony Dwyer flew a 65 all the way into the Shelmaliers net in the final minute of normal time to gift his side victory - their second of the campaign.
After Dwyer pointed for Ferns in the second minute, Shelmaliers hit the front when Shane Birney forced home from close range after Denis Kelly saw his penalty brilliantly saved by vigilant netminder Conor Swaine.
Ferns pulled themselves level by the tenth minute with points from John O’Leary and Dwyer, but the Gorey District side would eventually go in behind at the interval (1-3 to 0-5) after Birney nailed two frees and Chris Gordon pointed.
A Willie O’Shaughnessy minor drove the Hollymount side two clear early in the second half, but three in a row - including a second from the impressive Ben Bernie - gave Ferns the lead closing out the third quarter (0-8 to 1-4).
Shane Birney hit back to level for Shels but with his near-namesake Ben on target again for Ferns, along with Anthony Dwyer, the pendulum again swang their way with five minutes remaining.
Birney pointed once more for Shelmaliers as they looked to grab at least a draw, to double their points tally for the championship so far, but Dwyer popped up to cement victory with his slightly-fortuitous goal, his last touch of the ball before being taken off with a leg injury.
Shelmaliers must now keep their hopes of progression alive by getting a result in their next clash against Gusserane, while Ferns will book their last eight place should they beat Davidstown-Courtnacuddy in round four.
Ferns St Aidans: Thomas Dwyer; Teo Leacy, Padraig Bolger, John Murphy; Padraig Walsh, Patrick Breen, John O’Leary (0-1); James Breen, Peter Codd; Anthony Dwyer (1-4, 0-3 frees, 1-0 ‘65’), Tomas Hawkins (0-1 ‘65’), Keith Rynhart; Jamie Dunbar (0-1), Ben Bernie (0-3), Derek Thorpe. Pat Nolan for Walsh; David Murphy for A Dwyer (inj.)
Shelmaliers: Willie Redmond; Stephen Whelan, Darren Malone, Eoghan Fitzgerald; Cathal Gaul, Denis Kinsella, Barry O’Connor; Emmet O’Leary, Ciaran Walsh; Chris Gordon (0-1), Willie O’Shaughnessy (0-1), Shane Griffith; Shane Birney (1-4, 0-4 frees), Mick Kelly, Johnny Campbell. Sub: Conor Tobin for O’Leary (inj.)
Refereee: Jack Ffrench (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy)
August 2: Ferns St Aidans 3-17, Davidstown/Courtnacuddy 2-9
FERNS St Aidans copper-fastened their passage to the last eight of the county Junior Hurling Championship when scoring an impressive 11-point fourth round Group B win over Davidstown/Courtnacuddy at Killurin on Friday evening.
A very entertaining opening half saw Davidstown start well with 1-2 on the board inside eight minutes, as David Dunne goaled. However, Ferns grew in stature and pulled level with points from Ben Bernie (three), Tomas Hawkins and Anthony Dwyer, before moving ahead by 0-7 to 1-2. While David Dunne flicked home his second goal of the game for Davidstown, Ferns finished a wind-assisted first half in impressive fashion to lead by 1-13 to 2-5 at the break, with the aid of a goal by Andy Cash.
Ferns got a huge boost on the resumption when Anthony Dwyer fired home a penalty, and a second goal midway through the half from Ben Bernie made sure of the points for Ferns, thus leaving Davidstown needing at least a draw in their last game to make sure of qualification.
Ferns St Aidans: Conor Swaine; John Murphy, Padraig Bolger, Teo Leacy; Patrick Breen, Patrick Codd, John O’Leary; Edward Walsh, Padraig Walsh (0-1); Derek Thorpe (0-1), Tomas Hawkins (0-4), Andy Cash (1-0); Jamie Dunbar, Ben Bernie (1-7), Anthony Dwyer (1-4).
Davidstown/Courtnacuddy: Declan French; Ger Martin, Paddy Kennedy, Daryl Freeman; Stephen Kennedy, Mark Byrne, Michael Murphy; Ger O’Leary, Kevin Kane; Walter Furlong (0-6), Colin Power, David Dwyer; Johnny Delaney, David Dunne (2-2), Alan Campion (0-1).
Referee: Derek Murphy (St Martin’s)
August 10: Gusserane 3-18, Ferns St Aidans 1-16
A DRAW was all Gusserane needed to qualify at the expense of Shelmaliers’ second-string, but the south county side demonstrated real desire to make the quarter-finals of the county Junior hurling championship as they got the better of Ferns St. Aidans ‘seconds’ in last Saturday week’s absorbing closing-round Group A contest at Bellefield.
Gusserane made a dream start as goals from Darragh Doyle and Shane Cullen within the first eight minutes helped fire them clear by 2-5 to 0-5 by the 17th-minute. But Ferns captain Jamie Dunbar netted on 22 minutes to tie things on 1-8 to 2-5 in what quickly developed into a tight, fascinating affair, which was deadlocked on 1-11 to 2-8 at half-time.
Defeat would have eliminated Gusserane on the basis that they had lost the group tie to Shelmaliers. But, after Derek Thorpe pointed Ferns in front on the restart, Gusserane really displayed their lust for the spoils as five quick points from Fintan Ryan, Graeme Cullen and Gary O’Grady (3) made it 2-13 to 1-12 before young corner-forward Seán Ryan pointed and then goaled in quick succession on 45 minutes for a seven-point advantage, which the blue-and-gold extended to eight points in the end to bag a quarter-final against the Rapparees’ ‘seconds’, with Ferns up against Faythe Harriers ‘seconds’.
Ferns St. Aidans: Conor Swaine; Teo Leacy, Pádraig Bolger, John Murphy; Patrick Breen, Pádraig Ryan, John O’Leary; Pádraig Walsh (0-1), Peter Codd; Derek Thorpe (0-6, 1 free), Tomás Hawkins (0-3, 2 frees), Keith Ryn-hart; Anthony Dwyer (0-2, 1 free), Ben Bernie (0-2), Jamie Dunbar (capt., 1-0). Subs: Thomas Dwyer (0-1) for Keith Rynhart; Patrick Nolan for Pádraig Walsh; Donnacha Kinsella (0-1) for Peter Codd; Brian O’Neill for Tomás Hawkins.
Gusserane: David Kehoe; Robert Browne, Liam Dillon, Jack O’Connor; Keith O’Grady (0-1), Paul Wall (capt.), James Redmond; Fintan Ryan (0-1), Gary O’Grady (0-6, 4 frees); Kenneth Cahill, Shane Cullen (1-3), Graeme Cullen (0-3); Seán Ryan (1-2), Darragh Doyle (1-1), Pádraig Conway (0-1). Subs: Killian Kehoe for Darragh Doyle; Seamie Ryan for Pádraig Conway.
Referee: Roly Buckley (Ballyhogue).
September 1, quarter-final: Ferns St Aidans 2-10, Faythe Harriers 0-14
TWO GOALS in three second half minutes propelled Ferns past Faythe Harriers and into the semi-finals of the Junior hurling chanpionship in Oulart.
The teams were deadlocked at 0-6 apiece when Patrick Breen and Andy Cash combined to clear their lines and find Ben Bernie lurking on the edge of the square. The full-forward took his chance to goal from close range, a feat that Donnacha Kinsella matched moments later when his long punt found its way into the net to leave the Gorey District men on course for the last four.
There had been little to separate two closely-matched sides in a hard-fought first-half. Two Tomás Hawkins minors pushed Ferns ahead at the end of the first quarter but when county youngster John Bridges launched over a long-range effort in the 18th minute the teams were level (0-4 each).
Ferns eventually took the narrowest of leads in at the interval (0-6 to 0-5) but again the Páirc Charman men were on terms before being hit for two quick goals. Other sides, facing into the breeze, might have fallen to pieces after the quick-fire double but the Wexford town men knuckled down and dominated the last 20 minutes.
Indeed, had Conor Swaine not been in superb form between the sticks for Ferns the Harriers endeavours would have proved far more successful. The stopper denied John Walsh and Barry Nolan in quick succession, then saved from Bridges, but Swaine kept his best for last when tipping over from Walsh's point-blank effort.
The Harriers did drag themselves within one point in the last minute after a trio from both Walsh and Ian Mitchell. Yet, Hawkins settled the building Ferns nerves with an injury time dead ball to seal a two-point win and a last four berth.
Ferns St. Aidans: Conor Swaine; Teo Leacy, Pádraig Ryan, Pádraig Bolger; Patrick Breen, Patrick Codd, John O'Leary; Pádraig Walsh, Donnacha Kinsella (1-0); Andy Cash (0-1), Tomás Hawkins (0-7, 3 frees, 2 '65s), Anthony Dwyer; Derek Thorpe, Ben Bernie (1-1), Jamie Dunbar (0-1). Subs:Thomas Dwyer for A. Dwyer, Peter Codd for Cash, Ben Cowman for Walsh.
Faythe Harriers: Aaron Lacey; Seán Pailing, Colin Keeling, Cillian Lawlor; Dean Walsh, Fran Cleary, Ross Lynch; Jamie McDonnell, John Bridges (0-2); Mick Nolan, John Walsh (0-3, 2 frees), Brian Denton (0-1); Shane Wilde (0-1), Barry Nolan, Ian Mitchell (0-7, 5 frees). Subs: Billy Doran for J. Nolan, Damien Roche for Wilde.
Referee: Jack French (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy).
October 12, semi-final: Davidstown/Courtnacuddy 1-9, Ferns St Aidans 0-11
The hopes of senior finalists Ferns St Aidans also getting their second string through to a county championship decider were undone when a fatal passing error led to Davidstown/Courtnacuddy number 11 Ger O’Leary arrowing over a decisive injury time stroke in Saturday afternoon’s county Junior semi-final at Oylegate.
A rather mediocre clash saw the sides tied on six occasions, including for the third time on 25 minutes, at 0-5 apiece, when the reliable David Dunne got Davidstown level before he obliged from another free and captain Alan Campion shot over to give the eventual winners a 0-7 to 0-5 interval lead despite having shipped the first three scores without reply.
Anthony ‘Scoby’ Dwyer was the key shooter for Ferns, and a couple of ‘Scoby’ finishes (one free) tied matters on 0-7 apiece after 38 minutes. But, in such a tight affair, Davidstown appeared to strike a massive blow moment later when a goalkeeping error led to substitute Tommy Delaney making a quick impact by forcing the ball to the net (1-7 to 0-7). However, Ferns quickly negated that setback to regain parity on 0-10 to 1-7 on 48 minutes through Tomás Hawkins, ‘Scoby’ (free) and Donnacha Kinsella.
A draw seemed a distinct possibility after a further trade-off. But Ger O’Leary had other ideas as he seized upon that late fatal error by Ferns.
Ferns St Aidans: Thomas Dwyer; Teo Leacy, Pádraig Ryan, Pádraig Walsh; John O’Leary, Pádraig Bolger, Patrick Breen; Brian O’Neill, Keith Rynhart; Tomás Hawkins (0-2, 1 free), Peter Codd, Donnacha Kinsella (0-2); Anthony Dwyer (0-6, 4 frees), Ben Bernie, Jamie Dunbar (capt.). Subs: Paddy O’Leary (0-1) for Rynhart; Andy Cash for Peter Codd; (temp, Patrick Codd for Bernie); Ben Cowman for Bernie; Patrick Codd for O’Leary.
Davidstown/Courtnacuddy: Declan Ffrench; Ger Martin, Pat Rowesome, Daryl Freeman; Stephen Kennedy, Mark Byrne (0-1 free), Michael Murphy; Edward Frayne, Kevin Keane; David Dunne (0-5 frees), Ger O’Leary (0-1), Wal-ter Furlong; Johnny Delaney, Jack Stafford, Alan Campion (capt., 0-1). Subs: Tommy Delaney (1-0) for Stafford; Philip Murphy (0-1) for Johnny Delaney; Colin Power for Keane; Paddy Kennedy for Furlong.
WITH Anthony ‘Scoby’ Dwyer notching 1-7, the Ferns St Aidans second string made it a very successful hurling championship Sunday for the club when getting the better of their counterparts from Geraldine O’Hanrahans in Sunday evening’s Junior Group A first round tie at Taghmon.
Only hours after the Ferns first string had a comfortable win over Shelmaliers, the understudies really got to grips with their bid when forging ahead by 3-4 to 0-5 at half time, despite having faced the gale during that opening period.
The Geraldines actually opened brightly to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 after ten minutes thanks to Mick Cleere (2), Brian Haberlin and Michael Cullen. But the New Ross men were then rocked as Ferns pounced for two quick goals, before adding a third late in the half, as Scoby Dwyer, Thomas Dwyer and Jamie Nunbar helped them to net a tidy eight-point advantage at the interval.
As they turned around with the wind now at their backs, Ferns merely went through the motions during the second half as they recorded a commanding success.
Ferns St Aidans: Conor Swaine; Teo Leacy, Padraig Bolger, John Murphy; Patrick Breen, Patrick Codd, John O’Leary; Peter Codd, Tomas Hawkins; David Murphy (0-4), Jamie Dunbar (capt., 1-0), Keith Rynhart; Derek Thorpe (0-5), Anthony Dwyer (1-7, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65), Thomas Dwyer (1-0). Subs: Paul Lancaster for Padraig Bolger; Gearoid Bennett for Anthony Dwyer; Robert Murphy for David Murphy; Oisin MacPartlin for Peter Codd; Colm O’Hagan for Thomas Dwyer.
Geraldine O’Hanrahans: Niall Carroll; Colm Fenlon, Jason Purcell, Dave McCarthy; Dean Prendergast, Stephen Somers (capt.), Barry Kelly; Brian Haberlin (0-1), Danielius Nickis; Martin Doran (0-1), Mick Cleere (0-2,1 free), Michael Cullen (0-2 frees); Stephen Ryan, Mark Murphy, Michael Doyle. Sub: Padraig O’Gorman for Colin Fenlon.
May 19: Ferns St Aidans 0-15, Our Lady’s Island 3-6
A 63rd minute goal from Dean Maloney secured an unlikely draw for Our Lady’s Island against a superior Ferns St Aidans second string in the second round Group A county Junior Hurling Championship tie at Hollymount on Sunday.
Ferns appeared to be cruising, and with Derek Thorpe and Anthony Dwyer in clinical form, enjoyed an early 0-4 to nil lead. The Island relied almost entirely on placed balls, and had notched 1-2 before the interval, the goal coming from a Liam Kinsella penalty on 22 minutes.
Ferns asserted new superiority in the second half, reeling off four unanswered points to lead by 0-12 to 1-2 after 42 minutes. Full back Sean Carty then landed Our Lady’s Island’s first score from play, and John Walsh cut the gap to 0-14 to 1-5.
While Kinsella gave the Island hope with a goal from a free on 56 minutes, Jamie Dunbar replied with a point al-most immediately to give Ferns a four point cushion (0-15 to 2-5). However, in a remarkable finale, Walsh narrowed the gap to three points a minute into injury time, while two minutes later Maloney broke free to lob the ball to the net for a real sucker punch goal that forced a draw.
Ferns St Aidans: Conor Swaine; Teo Leacy, Padraig Bolger, John Murphy; Padraig Walsh (0-1), Patrick Codd, John O’Leary; Peter Codd (0-1), Patrick Breen; Keith Rynhart, Anthony Dwyer (0-6, 4 frees), David Murphy (0-1); Derek Thorpe (0-3), Tomas Hawkins (0-2), Jamie Dunbar (0-1). Subs: Andy Cash for David Murphy; Brian O’Neill for Keith Rynhart; Niall Byrne for Peter Codd.
Our Lady’s Island: Noel Dempsey; Davy Corish, Sean Carty (0-1), Frankie Corish; Colm Kinsella, Eamon Mal-oney, Fintan Mullins; Eoin Kinsella, Liam Kinsella (2-0, 1 penalty, 1 free); Ger Burke, Nicky Keane, Darragh Sinnott; Keith Rooney, Dean Maloney (1-0), John Walsh (0-5). Sub: Alan Kinsella for Darragh Sinnott.
June 16: Ferns St Aidans 1-10, Shelmaliers 1-6
FERNS St Aidans got the better of Shelmaliers in a tight Junior Hurling Championship match played in sloppy conditions at Monamolin.
Very little seperated these two evenly-matched sides until Anthony Dwyer flew a 65 all the way into the Shelmaliers net in the final minute of normal time to gift his side victory - their second of the campaign.
After Dwyer pointed for Ferns in the second minute, Shelmaliers hit the front when Shane Birney forced home from close range after Denis Kelly saw his penalty brilliantly saved by vigilant netminder Conor Swaine.
Ferns pulled themselves level by the tenth minute with points from John O’Leary and Dwyer, but the Gorey District side would eventually go in behind at the interval (1-3 to 0-5) after Birney nailed two frees and Chris Gordon pointed.
A Willie O’Shaughnessy minor drove the Hollymount side two clear early in the second half, but three in a row - including a second from the impressive Ben Bernie - gave Ferns the lead closing out the third quarter (0-8 to 1-4).
Shane Birney hit back to level for Shels but with his near-namesake Ben on target again for Ferns, along with Anthony Dwyer, the pendulum again swang their way with five minutes remaining.
Birney pointed once more for Shelmaliers as they looked to grab at least a draw, to double their points tally for the championship so far, but Dwyer popped up to cement victory with his slightly-fortuitous goal, his last touch of the ball before being taken off with a leg injury.
Shelmaliers must now keep their hopes of progression alive by getting a result in their next clash against Gusserane, while Ferns will book their last eight place should they beat Davidstown-Courtnacuddy in round four.
Ferns St Aidans: Thomas Dwyer; Teo Leacy, Padraig Bolger, John Murphy; Padraig Walsh, Patrick Breen, John O’Leary (0-1); James Breen, Peter Codd; Anthony Dwyer (1-4, 0-3 frees, 1-0 ‘65’), Tomas Hawkins (0-1 ‘65’), Keith Rynhart; Jamie Dunbar (0-1), Ben Bernie (0-3), Derek Thorpe. Pat Nolan for Walsh; David Murphy for A Dwyer (inj.)
Shelmaliers: Willie Redmond; Stephen Whelan, Darren Malone, Eoghan Fitzgerald; Cathal Gaul, Denis Kinsella, Barry O’Connor; Emmet O’Leary, Ciaran Walsh; Chris Gordon (0-1), Willie O’Shaughnessy (0-1), Shane Griffith; Shane Birney (1-4, 0-4 frees), Mick Kelly, Johnny Campbell. Sub: Conor Tobin for O’Leary (inj.)
Refereee: Jack Ffrench (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy)
August 2: Ferns St Aidans 3-17, Davidstown/Courtnacuddy 2-9
FERNS St Aidans copper-fastened their passage to the last eight of the county Junior Hurling Championship when scoring an impressive 11-point fourth round Group B win over Davidstown/Courtnacuddy at Killurin on Friday evening.
A very entertaining opening half saw Davidstown start well with 1-2 on the board inside eight minutes, as David Dunne goaled. However, Ferns grew in stature and pulled level with points from Ben Bernie (three), Tomas Hawkins and Anthony Dwyer, before moving ahead by 0-7 to 1-2. While David Dunne flicked home his second goal of the game for Davidstown, Ferns finished a wind-assisted first half in impressive fashion to lead by 1-13 to 2-5 at the break, with the aid of a goal by Andy Cash.
Ferns got a huge boost on the resumption when Anthony Dwyer fired home a penalty, and a second goal midway through the half from Ben Bernie made sure of the points for Ferns, thus leaving Davidstown needing at least a draw in their last game to make sure of qualification.
Ferns St Aidans: Conor Swaine; John Murphy, Padraig Bolger, Teo Leacy; Patrick Breen, Patrick Codd, John O’Leary; Edward Walsh, Padraig Walsh (0-1); Derek Thorpe (0-1), Tomas Hawkins (0-4), Andy Cash (1-0); Jamie Dunbar, Ben Bernie (1-7), Anthony Dwyer (1-4).
Davidstown/Courtnacuddy: Declan French; Ger Martin, Paddy Kennedy, Daryl Freeman; Stephen Kennedy, Mark Byrne, Michael Murphy; Ger O’Leary, Kevin Kane; Walter Furlong (0-6), Colin Power, David Dwyer; Johnny Delaney, David Dunne (2-2), Alan Campion (0-1).
Referee: Derek Murphy (St Martin’s)
August 10: Gusserane 3-18, Ferns St Aidans 1-16
A DRAW was all Gusserane needed to qualify at the expense of Shelmaliers’ second-string, but the south county side demonstrated real desire to make the quarter-finals of the county Junior hurling championship as they got the better of Ferns St. Aidans ‘seconds’ in last Saturday week’s absorbing closing-round Group A contest at Bellefield.
Gusserane made a dream start as goals from Darragh Doyle and Shane Cullen within the first eight minutes helped fire them clear by 2-5 to 0-5 by the 17th-minute. But Ferns captain Jamie Dunbar netted on 22 minutes to tie things on 1-8 to 2-5 in what quickly developed into a tight, fascinating affair, which was deadlocked on 1-11 to 2-8 at half-time.
Defeat would have eliminated Gusserane on the basis that they had lost the group tie to Shelmaliers. But, after Derek Thorpe pointed Ferns in front on the restart, Gusserane really displayed their lust for the spoils as five quick points from Fintan Ryan, Graeme Cullen and Gary O’Grady (3) made it 2-13 to 1-12 before young corner-forward Seán Ryan pointed and then goaled in quick succession on 45 minutes for a seven-point advantage, which the blue-and-gold extended to eight points in the end to bag a quarter-final against the Rapparees’ ‘seconds’, with Ferns up against Faythe Harriers ‘seconds’.
Ferns St. Aidans: Conor Swaine; Teo Leacy, Pádraig Bolger, John Murphy; Patrick Breen, Pádraig Ryan, John O’Leary; Pádraig Walsh (0-1), Peter Codd; Derek Thorpe (0-6, 1 free), Tomás Hawkins (0-3, 2 frees), Keith Ryn-hart; Anthony Dwyer (0-2, 1 free), Ben Bernie (0-2), Jamie Dunbar (capt., 1-0). Subs: Thomas Dwyer (0-1) for Keith Rynhart; Patrick Nolan for Pádraig Walsh; Donnacha Kinsella (0-1) for Peter Codd; Brian O’Neill for Tomás Hawkins.
Gusserane: David Kehoe; Robert Browne, Liam Dillon, Jack O’Connor; Keith O’Grady (0-1), Paul Wall (capt.), James Redmond; Fintan Ryan (0-1), Gary O’Grady (0-6, 4 frees); Kenneth Cahill, Shane Cullen (1-3), Graeme Cullen (0-3); Seán Ryan (1-2), Darragh Doyle (1-1), Pádraig Conway (0-1). Subs: Killian Kehoe for Darragh Doyle; Seamie Ryan for Pádraig Conway.
Referee: Roly Buckley (Ballyhogue).
September 1, quarter-final: Ferns St Aidans 2-10, Faythe Harriers 0-14
TWO GOALS in three second half minutes propelled Ferns past Faythe Harriers and into the semi-finals of the Junior hurling chanpionship in Oulart.
The teams were deadlocked at 0-6 apiece when Patrick Breen and Andy Cash combined to clear their lines and find Ben Bernie lurking on the edge of the square. The full-forward took his chance to goal from close range, a feat that Donnacha Kinsella matched moments later when his long punt found its way into the net to leave the Gorey District men on course for the last four.
There had been little to separate two closely-matched sides in a hard-fought first-half. Two Tomás Hawkins minors pushed Ferns ahead at the end of the first quarter but when county youngster John Bridges launched over a long-range effort in the 18th minute the teams were level (0-4 each).
Ferns eventually took the narrowest of leads in at the interval (0-6 to 0-5) but again the Páirc Charman men were on terms before being hit for two quick goals. Other sides, facing into the breeze, might have fallen to pieces after the quick-fire double but the Wexford town men knuckled down and dominated the last 20 minutes.
Indeed, had Conor Swaine not been in superb form between the sticks for Ferns the Harriers endeavours would have proved far more successful. The stopper denied John Walsh and Barry Nolan in quick succession, then saved from Bridges, but Swaine kept his best for last when tipping over from Walsh's point-blank effort.
The Harriers did drag themselves within one point in the last minute after a trio from both Walsh and Ian Mitchell. Yet, Hawkins settled the building Ferns nerves with an injury time dead ball to seal a two-point win and a last four berth.
Ferns St. Aidans: Conor Swaine; Teo Leacy, Pádraig Ryan, Pádraig Bolger; Patrick Breen, Patrick Codd, John O'Leary; Pádraig Walsh, Donnacha Kinsella (1-0); Andy Cash (0-1), Tomás Hawkins (0-7, 3 frees, 2 '65s), Anthony Dwyer; Derek Thorpe, Ben Bernie (1-1), Jamie Dunbar (0-1). Subs:Thomas Dwyer for A. Dwyer, Peter Codd for Cash, Ben Cowman for Walsh.
Faythe Harriers: Aaron Lacey; Seán Pailing, Colin Keeling, Cillian Lawlor; Dean Walsh, Fran Cleary, Ross Lynch; Jamie McDonnell, John Bridges (0-2); Mick Nolan, John Walsh (0-3, 2 frees), Brian Denton (0-1); Shane Wilde (0-1), Barry Nolan, Ian Mitchell (0-7, 5 frees). Subs: Billy Doran for J. Nolan, Damien Roche for Wilde.
Referee: Jack French (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy).
October 12, semi-final: Davidstown/Courtnacuddy 1-9, Ferns St Aidans 0-11
The hopes of senior finalists Ferns St Aidans also getting their second string through to a county championship decider were undone when a fatal passing error led to Davidstown/Courtnacuddy number 11 Ger O’Leary arrowing over a decisive injury time stroke in Saturday afternoon’s county Junior semi-final at Oylegate.
A rather mediocre clash saw the sides tied on six occasions, including for the third time on 25 minutes, at 0-5 apiece, when the reliable David Dunne got Davidstown level before he obliged from another free and captain Alan Campion shot over to give the eventual winners a 0-7 to 0-5 interval lead despite having shipped the first three scores without reply.
Anthony ‘Scoby’ Dwyer was the key shooter for Ferns, and a couple of ‘Scoby’ finishes (one free) tied matters on 0-7 apiece after 38 minutes. But, in such a tight affair, Davidstown appeared to strike a massive blow moment later when a goalkeeping error led to substitute Tommy Delaney making a quick impact by forcing the ball to the net (1-7 to 0-7). However, Ferns quickly negated that setback to regain parity on 0-10 to 1-7 on 48 minutes through Tomás Hawkins, ‘Scoby’ (free) and Donnacha Kinsella.
A draw seemed a distinct possibility after a further trade-off. But Ger O’Leary had other ideas as he seized upon that late fatal error by Ferns.
Ferns St Aidans: Thomas Dwyer; Teo Leacy, Pádraig Ryan, Pádraig Walsh; John O’Leary, Pádraig Bolger, Patrick Breen; Brian O’Neill, Keith Rynhart; Tomás Hawkins (0-2, 1 free), Peter Codd, Donnacha Kinsella (0-2); Anthony Dwyer (0-6, 4 frees), Ben Bernie, Jamie Dunbar (capt.). Subs: Paddy O’Leary (0-1) for Rynhart; Andy Cash for Peter Codd; (temp, Patrick Codd for Bernie); Ben Cowman for Bernie; Patrick Codd for O’Leary.
Davidstown/Courtnacuddy: Declan Ffrench; Ger Martin, Pat Rowesome, Daryl Freeman; Stephen Kennedy, Mark Byrne (0-1 free), Michael Murphy; Edward Frayne, Kevin Keane; David Dunne (0-5 frees), Ger O’Leary (0-1), Wal-ter Furlong; Johnny Delaney, Jack Stafford, Alan Campion (capt., 0-1). Subs: Tommy Delaney (1-0) for Stafford; Philip Murphy (0-1) for Johnny Delaney; Colin Power for Keane; Paddy Kennedy for Furlong.
