Senior Hurling Championship 2016
April 30: Cloughbawn 0-17, Ferns St Aidans 0-16
Cloughbawn built on the progress made last year and underlined their rating as a young team with vast potential when they kept their cool in a pulsating finish to pip Ferns St Aidans in this lively Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Championship Group B clash in Bellefield on Saturday.
The sides were level three times in the last ten minutes after the determined men in green finally managed to erase a four-point interval deficit, and an injury time strike from county minor Connal Flood proved decisive once Ian Byrne’s 95-metre free for Ferns at the death was cleared by Barry Kehoe.
There was a fascinating sub-plot to this game, namely the Harry Kehoe versus Ian Byrne show. The inter-county colleagues both led by considerable example and contributed 25 of the game’s 33 points between them, 20 from placed balls.
Kehoe was outstanding for Cloughbawn, giving a performance to remind everyone why he has always been so highly valued by inter-county mentors. Young Connal Flood also displayed nerves of steel, picking off the point to put his side 16-15 ahead in the 57th minute, and then hitting that winner after who else but Ian Byrne had equalised through a free.
The fact that Cloughbawn edged such a tight battle will have pleased their mentors no end, and Barry Carton played a huge part in getting them over the line. When the game was in the melting pot near the finish, he completely took over the midfield exchanges and repeatedly drove his side on.
Ferns set up with an extra defender, leaving centre-back and captain James Tonks free to sweep as Ciarán Roberts dropped back to assume marking duties. Paul Morris was the main target in two-man full-foward line and also posed a threat after moving to the left wing in the second half, but Cloughbawn defended well despite the absence of Johnny Cullen.
Wind-aided Ferns led by 0-5 to 0-2 at the end of of the first quarter, with Ian Byrne converting three frees while Jonny Dwyer and Morris registered from play. Harry Kehoe (play and free) responded, and his second successful free then made it 5-4 in the 17th minute after team captain Alan Carton had picked off a point from a tight angle in the right corner.
By half time, Ferns had widened the gap to 10-6, thanks to four more Byrne points (one from play) plus one from Christopher O’Connor. Two more Harry Kehoe frees kept Cloughbawn in touch, and they were ready to have a go in an exciting, fast-moving second half.
The first four points on the restart were shared between Byrne and Kehoe placed balls in a game which saw both sides awarded 15 frees, while the wide count was Cloughbawn 13 and Ferns seven.
Two more Kehoe efforts, the first from a crossfield Connal Flood pass, narrowed the gap to 0-12 to 0-10 by the 40-minute mark, and the Enniscorthy District men continued to eat gradually into that Ferns lead.
Ian Byrne did split the posts twice, the second strike a fine effot from long range from a James Tonks pass. However, Harry Kehoe continued to inspire, setting up Barry Carton for a point before his two frees made it a one-point game (14-13) with 12 minutes left.
And when he levelled after a surging run by county footballer Colm Kehoe, the crowd knew that the final eight minutes would be very interesting.
Paul Morris put Ferns ahead again, only for Kehoe to equalise from a free with five minutes left. Connal Flood restored a Cloughbawn lead they hadn’t held since the eighth minute, and Billy Wickham nearly made sure of the win but his goalbound shot was knocked out for a 65 by James Tonks.
A rare miss by Harry Kehoe from the subsequent placed ball added to the tension, especially when Ian Byrne levelled from a free as the game moved into added time. The inspired Barry Carton then set up Connal Flood for what proved to be the winner before firing wide after catching the puck-out, with Cloughbawn defending that late long-range Byrne free to crown a most impressive start.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Pádraig Bolger, John Breen, Brian O’Neill; Aaron Collier, James Tonks (capt.), Declan Byrne; Ian Byrne (0-12, 9 frees, 1 65), Tommy Dwyer; Benny Jordan, Jonny Dwyer (0-1), Christopher O’Connor (0-1); Paul Morris (0-2), Peter Codd, Ciarán Roberts. Subs: Tomás Hawkins for Collier (inj., 41), Ryan Nolan for Jordan (48), Derek Thorpe for Codd (56).
Cloughbawn: Noel Carton; Gavin Murphy, Tomás Furlong, MJ Furlong; Barry Kehoe, Paidí Cullen, Corey Bolger; Barry Carton (0-1), Davin Murphy; Harry Kehoe (0-13, 10 frees), Colm Kehoe, Connal Flood (0-2); Billy Wickham, Alan Carton (capt., 0-1), Bob Whitty.
Referee: Seán Whelan (St Martin’s).
May 8: Ferns St Aidans 0-22, Faythe Harriers 0-18
Ferns St Aidans snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with an incredible scoring burst in the last 20 minutes of Sunday’s Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Championship Group B clash with Faythe Harriers in Innovate Wexford Park.
The town team were very much in the driving seat near the end of the third quarter, when they led by 0-16 to 0-10, having added an unanswered four points to their interval lead of two.
Lee Chin had been truly inspirational from centre-forward, firing over a superb seven points from play, including four on the trot in a magical spell between the 26th and 29th minutes.
Both sides has lost key players before the tide turned, with Richie Kehoe exiting for the Harriers with an injury to his left knee just before Chin took centre stage.
However, that was balanced when Ian Byrne had to depart with an apparent problem with a calf muscle, just four minutes into the new half.
Ferns seemed lost for a while, with Chin continuing to shine against Declan Byrne after original marker Ciarán Roberts was relieved of his duties.
It left one wondering why the Gorey District side didn’t assign the man-marking task to James Tonks, a player with inter-county experience, rather than keeping him in a sweeping role.
However, they persisted with their tactics and ultimately it all paid off as a staggering 12 of the last 14 points were registered by the red and whites from the 42nd minute onwards.
Both sides were in dire need of victory after first round defeats, and Ferns really clicked into gear after Christopher O’Connor took over the free-taking from Paul Morris following Ian Byrne’s departure and picked off a brace near the end of the third quarter (16-12).
Another couple from play by Morris suggested that there was more to come from Ferns, and it was a one-point game when Benny Jordan split the post with a wind-aided free from all of 100 metres in the 47th minute (16-15).
Suddenly Ferns were winning everything in the middle third, and the supply lines to Chin were cut off.
Another free from O’Connor levelled matters and the cracks were rapidly appearing in the Harriers make-up.
They were lucky to escape when a puck-out was directed over the sideline, but a stray clearance was gobbled up by Tommy Dwyer who put Ferns in front for the first time in the 50th minute.
Substitute Lee Murphy did manage to stop the rot with a leveller, only for an O’Connor free to make it 18-17 after a surging run by Ciarán Roberts.
Yet another placed ball point from O’Connor was followed by a catch and neat finish from substitute Ryan Nolan, with Rhys Clarke pulling one back from a free before Ferns made doubly sure of success in added time with the last two scores from Jonny Dwyer and an O’Connor 65.
A couple of very good Clarke points from near the right sideline had helped the Harriers to lead by 0-12 to 0-10 at the break, although the main difference was provided by Chin with that four-point masterclass prior to the interval.
The one decent goal chance had fallen to Ferns in the twelfth minute, but Christopher O’Connor didn’t connect properly with his pull, and it was saved on the line by John Walsh.
Mickey Laffan’s side were probably happy to be just two points adrift with wind advanatage to come, but the situation changed when Harriers hit the first four points when play resumed. Ferns had made it even harder on themselves, but their finish was admirable as they atoned for the one-point reversal to Cloughbawn eight days earlier.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Brian O’Neill, John Breen, Pádraig Bolger; Aaron Collier, James Tonks (capt.), Declan Byrne; Ian Byrne (0-3, 2 frees, 1 65), Benny Jordan (0-4, 1 free); Paul Morris (0-4), Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Ciarán Roberts; Jonny Dwyer (0-2), Peter Codd (0-1), Christopher O’Connor (0-6, 5 frees, 1 65). Subs: Ryan Nolan (0-1) for I. Byrne (inj., 34), Tomás Hawkins for Codd (57).
Faythe Harriers: John Walsh; Brendan Mulligan, David Mooney, Ross Lynch; Emmet Keeling, Richie Kehoe (0-1), Alex Lynch (capt.); Wayne Mallon, Alan Lynch; Shane Wilde, Lee Chin (0-8, 1 free), Kevin Gore; Rhys Clarke (0-7, 4 frees, 1 65), Pádraig Farrell (0-1), Jim Berry. Subs: Michael Hanrahan for Alex Lynch (13), Daniel Lynch for Kehoe (inj., 23), Lee Murphy (0-1) for Hanrahan (40), Stephen Kearney for Mallon (48), Colm Heffernan for Wilde (55).
Justin Heffernan (Blackwater).
July 30: Ferns St Aidans 0-17, Rathnure 0-10
Rathnure never really recovered from a very poor start in Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday as Ferns St. Aidan's comfortably out-scored the black and ambers to join them on four points in the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group B table after three rounds.
The Gorey District side surged clear by 0-6 to nil after 18 minutes, and the gap was never less than three thereafter in a lack-lustre contest.
Whatever chance Rathnure had of erasing their 0-9 to 0-5 interval deficit was undone in the third quarter when they chalked up six of their 13 wides while only managing two points.
Their inside forwards must have wondered was there any reason for them to be there at all as a succession of aimless long-range shots missed the target.
This surprising individual streak saw Rathnure lose their unbeaten record against opponents who prospered from playing as a team.
The absence of Brendan O'Leary, Rory Higgins and Jack Guiney didn't help matters of course, although Ferns were without James Tonks whose centre-back duties were taken over by Gavin Bailey.
The winners also lost defender Pádraig Bolger to an injury in the warm-up, but this didn't upset them unduly as Ryan Nolan moved back to the defence while Paddy O'Leary came in at corner-forward for his first Senior start and set up two points.
Interestingly, there has been no goal scored in any of Ferns' three games, and while this highlights a defensive solidity, they will need to start rattling the net if they want to make serious progress.
Rathnure captain Michael Redmond won the toss and opted to play into the breeze, but his colleagues were ill-prepared for that task as they fell behind to six unanswered points from Benny Jordan (free), Christopher O'Connor, Jonathan Dwyer, Paul Morris, O'Connor (free) and Ian Byrne ('65).
Paddy O'Leary provided a lovely pass for Dwyer's score and then picked out Morris with a handpass as Ferns negotiated the extra traffic around their own half-forward line which was caused by Rathnure bringing corner-forward Richie Flynn out around that sector.
Wing-back Paddy Whiteley finally got Kevin Ryan's side off the mark in the 19th minute, and they had the margin down to 7-4 after a couple of Ciarán O'Connor frees and a rising shot from Aidan Redmond which worried netminder Mick Walsh.
Ferns went on to lead 9-5 at the break and made the most of Rathnure's squandermania in that third quarter to move 13-7 clear.
The victors have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to free-takers, with three of those scores coming from captain Christopher O'Connor who was responsible for the close-range placed balls rather than the equally capable Ian Byrne or Tommy Dwyer.
When Byrne fired a neat point over his shoulder in the 47th minute, Ferns led 14-7 and the game was over.
There was still time for further grief for Rathnure though as defender Declan Foley was shown an inevitable red card after his inter-action with Jonathan Dwyer near the sideline during an otherwise tame last quarter.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Mick Walsh; Brian O'Neill, John Breen, Declan Byrne; Ryan Nolan, Gavin Bailey, Ciarán Roberts; Benny Jordan (0-2, 1 free), Tommy Dwyer; Jonathan Dwyer (0-1), Ian Byrne (0-3, 1 '65), Paul Morris (0-3); Paddy O'Leary, Derek Thorpe, Christopher O'Connor (capt., 0-8, 7 frees). Sub. - Peter Codd for O'Leary (59).
Rathnure: Dermot Flynn; Denis Maher, Antony O'Connell, Declan Foley; Paddy Whiteley (0-1), Brian Quigley, Seán O'Neill; Aidan Redmond (0-1), Podge Doyle; Shane Lawlor, Ciarán O'Connor (0-6, 5 frees), Michael Redmond (capt., 0-1); Syl Barron, Robbie Codd, Richie Flynn (0-1). Subs. - Francis Murphy for Codd, temp. (4-5), Murphy for Barron (39), Seánie Redmond for R. Flynn (52).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James').
Cloughbawn built on the progress made last year and underlined their rating as a young team with vast potential when they kept their cool in a pulsating finish to pip Ferns St Aidans in this lively Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Championship Group B clash in Bellefield on Saturday.
The sides were level three times in the last ten minutes after the determined men in green finally managed to erase a four-point interval deficit, and an injury time strike from county minor Connal Flood proved decisive once Ian Byrne’s 95-metre free for Ferns at the death was cleared by Barry Kehoe.
There was a fascinating sub-plot to this game, namely the Harry Kehoe versus Ian Byrne show. The inter-county colleagues both led by considerable example and contributed 25 of the game’s 33 points between them, 20 from placed balls.
Kehoe was outstanding for Cloughbawn, giving a performance to remind everyone why he has always been so highly valued by inter-county mentors. Young Connal Flood also displayed nerves of steel, picking off the point to put his side 16-15 ahead in the 57th minute, and then hitting that winner after who else but Ian Byrne had equalised through a free.
The fact that Cloughbawn edged such a tight battle will have pleased their mentors no end, and Barry Carton played a huge part in getting them over the line. When the game was in the melting pot near the finish, he completely took over the midfield exchanges and repeatedly drove his side on.
Ferns set up with an extra defender, leaving centre-back and captain James Tonks free to sweep as Ciarán Roberts dropped back to assume marking duties. Paul Morris was the main target in two-man full-foward line and also posed a threat after moving to the left wing in the second half, but Cloughbawn defended well despite the absence of Johnny Cullen.
Wind-aided Ferns led by 0-5 to 0-2 at the end of of the first quarter, with Ian Byrne converting three frees while Jonny Dwyer and Morris registered from play. Harry Kehoe (play and free) responded, and his second successful free then made it 5-4 in the 17th minute after team captain Alan Carton had picked off a point from a tight angle in the right corner.
By half time, Ferns had widened the gap to 10-6, thanks to four more Byrne points (one from play) plus one from Christopher O’Connor. Two more Harry Kehoe frees kept Cloughbawn in touch, and they were ready to have a go in an exciting, fast-moving second half.
The first four points on the restart were shared between Byrne and Kehoe placed balls in a game which saw both sides awarded 15 frees, while the wide count was Cloughbawn 13 and Ferns seven.
Two more Kehoe efforts, the first from a crossfield Connal Flood pass, narrowed the gap to 0-12 to 0-10 by the 40-minute mark, and the Enniscorthy District men continued to eat gradually into that Ferns lead.
Ian Byrne did split the posts twice, the second strike a fine effot from long range from a James Tonks pass. However, Harry Kehoe continued to inspire, setting up Barry Carton for a point before his two frees made it a one-point game (14-13) with 12 minutes left.
And when he levelled after a surging run by county footballer Colm Kehoe, the crowd knew that the final eight minutes would be very interesting.
Paul Morris put Ferns ahead again, only for Kehoe to equalise from a free with five minutes left. Connal Flood restored a Cloughbawn lead they hadn’t held since the eighth minute, and Billy Wickham nearly made sure of the win but his goalbound shot was knocked out for a 65 by James Tonks.
A rare miss by Harry Kehoe from the subsequent placed ball added to the tension, especially when Ian Byrne levelled from a free as the game moved into added time. The inspired Barry Carton then set up Connal Flood for what proved to be the winner before firing wide after catching the puck-out, with Cloughbawn defending that late long-range Byrne free to crown a most impressive start.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Pádraig Bolger, John Breen, Brian O’Neill; Aaron Collier, James Tonks (capt.), Declan Byrne; Ian Byrne (0-12, 9 frees, 1 65), Tommy Dwyer; Benny Jordan, Jonny Dwyer (0-1), Christopher O’Connor (0-1); Paul Morris (0-2), Peter Codd, Ciarán Roberts. Subs: Tomás Hawkins for Collier (inj., 41), Ryan Nolan for Jordan (48), Derek Thorpe for Codd (56).
Cloughbawn: Noel Carton; Gavin Murphy, Tomás Furlong, MJ Furlong; Barry Kehoe, Paidí Cullen, Corey Bolger; Barry Carton (0-1), Davin Murphy; Harry Kehoe (0-13, 10 frees), Colm Kehoe, Connal Flood (0-2); Billy Wickham, Alan Carton (capt., 0-1), Bob Whitty.
Referee: Seán Whelan (St Martin’s).
May 8: Ferns St Aidans 0-22, Faythe Harriers 0-18
Ferns St Aidans snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with an incredible scoring burst in the last 20 minutes of Sunday’s Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Championship Group B clash with Faythe Harriers in Innovate Wexford Park.
The town team were very much in the driving seat near the end of the third quarter, when they led by 0-16 to 0-10, having added an unanswered four points to their interval lead of two.
Lee Chin had been truly inspirational from centre-forward, firing over a superb seven points from play, including four on the trot in a magical spell between the 26th and 29th minutes.
Both sides has lost key players before the tide turned, with Richie Kehoe exiting for the Harriers with an injury to his left knee just before Chin took centre stage.
However, that was balanced when Ian Byrne had to depart with an apparent problem with a calf muscle, just four minutes into the new half.
Ferns seemed lost for a while, with Chin continuing to shine against Declan Byrne after original marker Ciarán Roberts was relieved of his duties.
It left one wondering why the Gorey District side didn’t assign the man-marking task to James Tonks, a player with inter-county experience, rather than keeping him in a sweeping role.
However, they persisted with their tactics and ultimately it all paid off as a staggering 12 of the last 14 points were registered by the red and whites from the 42nd minute onwards.
Both sides were in dire need of victory after first round defeats, and Ferns really clicked into gear after Christopher O’Connor took over the free-taking from Paul Morris following Ian Byrne’s departure and picked off a brace near the end of the third quarter (16-12).
Another couple from play by Morris suggested that there was more to come from Ferns, and it was a one-point game when Benny Jordan split the post with a wind-aided free from all of 100 metres in the 47th minute (16-15).
Suddenly Ferns were winning everything in the middle third, and the supply lines to Chin were cut off.
Another free from O’Connor levelled matters and the cracks were rapidly appearing in the Harriers make-up.
They were lucky to escape when a puck-out was directed over the sideline, but a stray clearance was gobbled up by Tommy Dwyer who put Ferns in front for the first time in the 50th minute.
Substitute Lee Murphy did manage to stop the rot with a leveller, only for an O’Connor free to make it 18-17 after a surging run by Ciarán Roberts.
Yet another placed ball point from O’Connor was followed by a catch and neat finish from substitute Ryan Nolan, with Rhys Clarke pulling one back from a free before Ferns made doubly sure of success in added time with the last two scores from Jonny Dwyer and an O’Connor 65.
A couple of very good Clarke points from near the right sideline had helped the Harriers to lead by 0-12 to 0-10 at the break, although the main difference was provided by Chin with that four-point masterclass prior to the interval.
The one decent goal chance had fallen to Ferns in the twelfth minute, but Christopher O’Connor didn’t connect properly with his pull, and it was saved on the line by John Walsh.
Mickey Laffan’s side were probably happy to be just two points adrift with wind advanatage to come, but the situation changed when Harriers hit the first four points when play resumed. Ferns had made it even harder on themselves, but their finish was admirable as they atoned for the one-point reversal to Cloughbawn eight days earlier.
Ferns St Aidans: Michael Walsh; Brian O’Neill, John Breen, Pádraig Bolger; Aaron Collier, James Tonks (capt.), Declan Byrne; Ian Byrne (0-3, 2 frees, 1 65), Benny Jordan (0-4, 1 free); Paul Morris (0-4), Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Ciarán Roberts; Jonny Dwyer (0-2), Peter Codd (0-1), Christopher O’Connor (0-6, 5 frees, 1 65). Subs: Ryan Nolan (0-1) for I. Byrne (inj., 34), Tomás Hawkins for Codd (57).
Faythe Harriers: John Walsh; Brendan Mulligan, David Mooney, Ross Lynch; Emmet Keeling, Richie Kehoe (0-1), Alex Lynch (capt.); Wayne Mallon, Alan Lynch; Shane Wilde, Lee Chin (0-8, 1 free), Kevin Gore; Rhys Clarke (0-7, 4 frees, 1 65), Pádraig Farrell (0-1), Jim Berry. Subs: Michael Hanrahan for Alex Lynch (13), Daniel Lynch for Kehoe (inj., 23), Lee Murphy (0-1) for Hanrahan (40), Stephen Kearney for Mallon (48), Colm Heffernan for Wilde (55).
Justin Heffernan (Blackwater).
July 30: Ferns St Aidans 0-17, Rathnure 0-10
Rathnure never really recovered from a very poor start in Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday as Ferns St. Aidan's comfortably out-scored the black and ambers to join them on four points in the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group B table after three rounds.
The Gorey District side surged clear by 0-6 to nil after 18 minutes, and the gap was never less than three thereafter in a lack-lustre contest.
Whatever chance Rathnure had of erasing their 0-9 to 0-5 interval deficit was undone in the third quarter when they chalked up six of their 13 wides while only managing two points.
Their inside forwards must have wondered was there any reason for them to be there at all as a succession of aimless long-range shots missed the target.
This surprising individual streak saw Rathnure lose their unbeaten record against opponents who prospered from playing as a team.
The absence of Brendan O'Leary, Rory Higgins and Jack Guiney didn't help matters of course, although Ferns were without James Tonks whose centre-back duties were taken over by Gavin Bailey.
The winners also lost defender Pádraig Bolger to an injury in the warm-up, but this didn't upset them unduly as Ryan Nolan moved back to the defence while Paddy O'Leary came in at corner-forward for his first Senior start and set up two points.
Interestingly, there has been no goal scored in any of Ferns' three games, and while this highlights a defensive solidity, they will need to start rattling the net if they want to make serious progress.
Rathnure captain Michael Redmond won the toss and opted to play into the breeze, but his colleagues were ill-prepared for that task as they fell behind to six unanswered points from Benny Jordan (free), Christopher O'Connor, Jonathan Dwyer, Paul Morris, O'Connor (free) and Ian Byrne ('65).
Paddy O'Leary provided a lovely pass for Dwyer's score and then picked out Morris with a handpass as Ferns negotiated the extra traffic around their own half-forward line which was caused by Rathnure bringing corner-forward Richie Flynn out around that sector.
Wing-back Paddy Whiteley finally got Kevin Ryan's side off the mark in the 19th minute, and they had the margin down to 7-4 after a couple of Ciarán O'Connor frees and a rising shot from Aidan Redmond which worried netminder Mick Walsh.
Ferns went on to lead 9-5 at the break and made the most of Rathnure's squandermania in that third quarter to move 13-7 clear.
The victors have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to free-takers, with three of those scores coming from captain Christopher O'Connor who was responsible for the close-range placed balls rather than the equally capable Ian Byrne or Tommy Dwyer.
When Byrne fired a neat point over his shoulder in the 47th minute, Ferns led 14-7 and the game was over.
There was still time for further grief for Rathnure though as defender Declan Foley was shown an inevitable red card after his inter-action with Jonathan Dwyer near the sideline during an otherwise tame last quarter.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Mick Walsh; Brian O'Neill, John Breen, Declan Byrne; Ryan Nolan, Gavin Bailey, Ciarán Roberts; Benny Jordan (0-2, 1 free), Tommy Dwyer; Jonathan Dwyer (0-1), Ian Byrne (0-3, 1 '65), Paul Morris (0-3); Paddy O'Leary, Derek Thorpe, Christopher O'Connor (capt., 0-8, 7 frees). Sub. - Peter Codd for O'Leary (59).
Rathnure: Dermot Flynn; Denis Maher, Antony O'Connell, Declan Foley; Paddy Whiteley (0-1), Brian Quigley, Seán O'Neill; Aidan Redmond (0-1), Podge Doyle; Shane Lawlor, Ciarán O'Connor (0-6, 5 frees), Michael Redmond (capt., 0-1); Syl Barron, Robbie Codd, Richie Flynn (0-1). Subs. - Francis Murphy for Codd, temp. (4-5), Murphy for Barron (39), Seánie Redmond for R. Flynn (52).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James').
August 13: Oulart/The Ballagh 1-22, Ferns St Aidans 1-16
A spirited second-half showing from Ferns St. Aidan's made this Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group B clash more interesting than it threatened to be, but ultimately Oulart-The Ballagh maintained their unbeaten run without ever looking like surrendering the initiative in Bellefield on Saturday.
Last year's clash between the sides was won in a canter by the holders on a 6-26 to 1-15 scoreline, and Ferns' prospects of reversing that result didn't appear promising given the absence of such heavy-hitters as injured duo James Tonks and Gavin Bailey, along with Ian Byrne who is out of the country.
And even though Oulart-The Ballagh were minus the services of Des Mythen, Eoin Moore, Shaun Murphy and David Redmond, it looked like another big winning margin was in store for a club with a vastly superior panel as they raced clear by 0-12 to 0-4 at half-time.
It was all about movement and speed from the reigning champions as they bamboozled their rivals with quick passes and clever use of the open spaces.
They held an 0-8 to 0-2 lead by the end of the first quarter, with half of that tally coming from Nicky Kirwan while Rory Jacob, Billy Dunne (two) and Peter Murphy also got in on the act.
One possible concern for Oulart-The Ballagh mentors will be their failure to test Ferns netminder Mick Walsh even once before the break, but they were content to pick off the points as a third from Dunne plus a late trio from Kirwan frees widened the margin to eight by half-time.
The Ferns responses had arrived from hard-working midfield partners Tommy Dwyer (two) and Benny Jordan, along with a Christopher O'Connor free.
However, they still looked to be on a hiding to nothing when play resumed, even with the breeze now in their favour. And the third quarter went along predictable lines, with the gap only dropping below seven on one occasion as Oulart-The Ballagh remained comfortable.
They might have put the game completely to bed in the 44th minute but Derek Thorpe of Ferns made a vital interception of a Garrett Sinnott handpass.
The start of the last quarter saw Paul Morris narrow the margin to six once more, only for Kevin Sheridan to respond quickly from long distance.
However, a glimmer of hope appeared for Ferns in the 49th minute when Ryan Nolan - who had switched to corner-forward for the second-half - beat the advancing Conor O'Leary to flick a delivery to the net and leave his side just four in arrears (0-19 to 1-12).
Four became three when Benny Jordan converted a free, and suddenly some life had been injected into proceedings. Indeed, the tension was ratcheted up a notch as Ferns substitute Anthony Dwyer - only five minutes on the field - and Oulart-The Ballagh defender Barry Kehoe received straight red cards for digging, rather than striking, each other off the ball.
It was an eventful evening for referee Justin Heffernan, who had been momentarily shaken in the first-half after colliding with Ferns midfielder Benny Jordan, and he brandished a third straight red to the losers' full-forward, Peter Codd, after another off-the-ball incident which left Peter Murphy grounded in the 58th minute.
Oulart-The Ballagh still held a three-point lead at that stage (0-20 to 1-14), and they finally wrapped things up from the resultant puck-out. It was caught by captain Garrett Sinnott who delivered a long handpass to the strong running Tommy Storey, and he rattled Mick Walsh's net to leave the holders in pole position and already with one eye on the quarter-finals ahead of their last group game against Rathnure.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Mick Walsh; Tomás Hawkins, John Breen, Brian O'Neill; Ryan Nolan (1-0), Declan Byrne, Ciarán Roberts; Benny Jordan (0-3, 1 free), Tommy Dwyer (0-4, 1 free); Derek Thorpe, Paul Morris (0-3), Jonny Dwyer (0-1); Paddy O'Leary, Peter Codd, Christopher O'Connor (capt., 0-5, 3 frees). Subs. - Anthony Dwyer for O'Leary (48), Colm Whelan for Hawkins (56).
Oulart-The Ballagh: Conor O'Leary; Anthony Roche, Keith Rossiter, Barry Kehoe; Michael Jacob, Paul Roche, Kevin Sheridan (0-1); Tommy Storey (1-0), Rory Jacob (0-3); Peter Murphy (0-1), Nicky Kirwan (0-11, 8 frees, 1 '65), Billy Dunne (0-3); Martin Og Storey (0-1), Murtha Doyle, Garrett Sinnott (capt., 0-2). Sub. - Ben O'Connor for Storey (57).
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater).
August 28: Buffers Alley 0-19, Ferns St Aidans 1-15
Controversy erupted near the end of this Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group B game in Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday, and it had nothing to do with the result given the fact that both teams qualified for the quarter-finals: Buffers Alley by virtue of a win that was more convincing than the scoreline suggests, and Ferns St. Aidan's on the strength of their head-to-head result versus Rathnure.
The major talking point occurred when a brief row developed in the 59th minute, at a stage when the Alley held an 0-18 to 0-14 lead.
Ferns defender Brian O'Neill was lying injured on the ground elsewhere at the time, so I'm not sure if this is what sparked a difference of opinion that was practically over before it started.
However, when the dust settled, referee Barry Redmond sparked outrage among the Alley support by showing a straight red card to Willie Doran and a yellow to Ferns midfielder Tommy Dwyer.
The dismissed player flung his hurl to the sideline in disgust, and no doubt his club will do all in their power to have his suspension over-turned before their quarter-final clash with Glynn-Barntown.
They did manage another point after the dismissal, from a Tomás O'Leary free, and it was an important one as it transpired given that Ferns scored 1-1 deep into added time to leave the minimum between them at the end.
Tommy Dwyer converted a free and then saw his hopeful shot deceive Oliver O'Leary, with Ciarán Roberts running into the netminder's line of sight but not appearing to get a connection on the sliothar before it entered the net.
In truth, it would have been a travesty if Buffers Alley had lost this game, not because of the sending-off but rather the fact that they had played superbly early in the second-half to open up a 0-14 to 0-7 lead.
They were 8-6 up at the break and, after Tomás O'Leary and Christopher O'Connor swapped points on the re-start, the next five on the trot were registered by an Alley side playing into the town end.
John Lee Meyler, Andrew Kenny, Paul O'Leary, Tomás O'Leary (free) and Ross Donohoe all hit the target, but Ferns deserve credit for the strength of their response as four unanswered points from Paul Morris, Christopher O'Connor (free), Jonny Dwyer from long range and Tommy Dwyer (free) meant they weren't out of contention just yet (14-11).
Two key men stepped up to the plate for Buffers Alley at that crucial stage though. Shane Grannell was very impressive at full-forward when he was needed most, picking off two fine points and setting up another brace in between for the very accurate Seán Og Whelan who finished with four in all.
Ferns could only manage one score in that same spell from Paul Morris, but they did narrow the deficit to four with points from Jonny Dwyer and Tommy Dwyer (free) before the Alley were reduced to 14 men for reasons unclear to this writer.
The many absentees among the Ferns ranks are well documented at this stage, and in the circumstances they will be happy to have reached the last eight although the prospect of meeting St. Martin's is a daunting one.
They nearly goaled after a mere 40 seconds when Oliver O'Leary had to smother Christopher O'Connor's pull after a Benny Jordan free came back off the post.
However, there was no goalmouth action of note then until added time at the end of the half when a Ross Donohoe delivery at the other end was batted down by Shane Grannell and John Lee Meyler got the last touch to the net, but a throw-in was the outcome after the referee consulted with his umpires.
The fact that just five of the first-half points (only one from Ferns) arrived from play sums up a lack-lustre opening, although Jonny Dwyer's line ball was a stand-out score for the red and whites who trailed by 0-8 to 0-6 at the interval.
It was a much livelier affair thereafter, with the ending leaving a sour taste among the Alley contingent.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Michael Walsh; Pádraig Bolger, John Breen, Brian O'Neill; Tomás Hawkins, Declan Byrne, Ciarán Roberts; Benny Jordan (0-2 frees), Tommy Dwyer (1-3, 0-3 frees); Ryan Nolan (0-1), Jonny Dwyer (0-3, 1 line ball), Paul Morris (0-2); Paddy O'Leary, Christopher O'Connor (capt., 0-4, 3 frees), Derek Thorpe. Sub. - P.J. O'Neill for O'Leary (55).
Buffers Alley: Oliver O'Leary; Seán Murphy, Ciarán Kenny (capt.), Barry Kenny; Bobby Kenny, Andrew Kenny (0-1), Kevin Roche; Seán Og Whelan (0-4), Pat Kenny; Ross Donohoe (0-1), Willie Doran (0-1), Tomás O'Leary (0-7, 6 frees); Paul O'Leary (0-1), Shane Grannell (0-2), John Lee Meyler (0-2). Sub. - Paudie Reidy for Roche, inj. (28).
Referee: Barry Redmond (Clonard).
September 11, quarter-final: Ferns St Aidans 1-13, St Martin’s 0-15
Ferns always looked a side ready to brew up a storm but they left it until the sixth minute of additional time to seize the day with a dramatic Tomás Hawkins winning goal that left St Martin’s shell-shocked at the end of 66-odd thrilling minutes of this Pettitt’s Wexford Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final at Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday afternoon.
New faces, fresh bodies, left Ferns with many roles to fill in the absence of James Tonks, Gavin Bailey (both injured) along with the departed Ian Byrne, now in Dubai, which ultimately led to a real fairytale story for corner-forward, Anthony Dwyer, who was making his first senior championship start for the club, at the ripe old age of 37 years.
It was surreal stuff for Ferns who celebrated on the final whistle, at the end of just seven minutes of additional time as they stole the show with as dramatic a finish as one will witness in this year's campaign.
As St. Martin's chased a victory they looked like justifying the tag of favouritism, particularly when their outstanding attacker Joe Coleman gave them a two-point cushion one minute into additional time.
But it was a precarious lead as Ferns gave them a dose of their own medicine, pressing forward ultimately leading to the goal that clinched a semi-final spot, leaving their opponents on the receiving end of a real sucker punch.
It was surreal to see St. Martin's on the receiving end of such a late blow, for generally speaking they looked a side capable of winning this game, but for some strange reason failed to turn their authority into sufficient scores.
These are the type of games this young side has still to learn how to win and put away their opponents, for they are at a stage where they realise they have the ability, but that it doesn't really matter how you achieve that objective, as long as you get across the line.
The south county side failed to press home in the second half ultimately paying a costly penalty.
As Ferns chased what would turn out a momentous victory it was a long awaited return from what has been a difficult season for this injury ravaged side.
The enforced absence of such key players saw it as a crunch game for the side.
These are the type of games they have lost down the years but on this occasion they played with a real aggression to their game as they dictated the physical exchanges.
Maybe they left it late to spring that dramatic winning goal but when you look back it was fitting that it was a foul on Paul Morris that led to the free from which the goal developed, for the inter-county attacker was on the receiving end of much close attention, gaining little protection or frees from referee Barry Redmond which left their supporters furious. But it was Morris who had the final say in manufacturing that late long-awaited free.
No questions, it became evident from early on that St. Martin's were going to rely on the accuracy of Joe Coleman for most of their scores, as he pointed a dubious free within 30 seconds of the start.
Although a Tommy Dwyer free had the sides level two minutes late, St. Martin's responded with three unanswered points through Sean Stafford, two, with Rory O'Connor pointing in between, to lead 0-4 to 0-1 after just five minutes.
While Benny Jordan and Johnny Dwyer points kept Ferns in touch, it was Coleman who struck over four further points, two frees, to spring his side into a 0-9 to 0-7 interval lead, with Harry O'Connor also on the mark, while it was Paul Morris, Chris O'Connor, free, Johnny Dwyer and Benny Jordan efforts that left Ferns just two points adrift.
An impressive second half start that produced Rory O'Connor and Coleman, free, points, extending their lead to four points after thirty-nine minutes, looked to have seen St. Martin's set out their stall, but with Tommy Dwyer and Benny Jordan on target, Ferns were still on their coat tails, trailing 0-12 to 0-11, with nine minutes remaining in the tie.
The sides continued to trade points with Ciaran Lyng and Coleman, free, on target for their side, while Tommy Dwyer, 65, and Paul Morris, responded for Ferns, leaving the minimum separating the sides, 0-14 to 0-13 as the game entered additional time, with Coleman then sending over a huge point from play, giving his side a two point cushion.
While it looked as if the Martin's were one step ahead it did not prevent Ferns from a huge surge in the additional minutes added on, despite having Tommy Dwyer dismissed on a second yellow card four minute into additional time.
Paul Morris on two separate occasions was harassed and bullied out of possession to the right of goal on two occasions, losing his helmet in the torrid defending, but in one final throw of the dice, the Ferns attacker won a high ball, this time winning the decision of Referee Redmond.
The free was to the terrace side of goal, some five meters to the left of the posts, with Johnny Dwyer having his bullet like drive beaten down by a packed defence, but Hawkins dived in low close to the post to knock the breaking ball over the line, bringing with it the biggest cheer of the day and the most dramatic of finishes, five minutes and 30 seconds into additional time, with the referee calling full-time seconds later.
Ferns St. Aidans: Michael Walsh; Brian O'Neill, John Breen, Padraig Bolger; Declan Byrne, Ciaran Roberts, Ryan Nolan; Tommy Dwyer (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1, 65), Benny Jordan (0-3, 0-1 free); Derek Thorpe, Paul Morris (0-2), Thomas Hawkins (1-0); Christopher O'Connor (0-2 frees), Johnny Dwyer (0-2), Anthony Dwyer. Sub: Paddy O'Leary for Anthony Dwyer (48).
St. Martin's: Luke White; Conor Firman, Patrick O'Connor, Daithi Hayes; Aaron Maddock, Jack O'Connor, Jake Firman; Joe O'Connor, Ciaran Lyng (0-1); Joe Coleman (0-9, 5 frees), Daithi Waters, Harry O'Connor (0-1); Rory O'Connor (0-2), Sean Stafford (0-2), Barry Lambert. Subs: Tomas Waters for Lambert (h/t); Conor Coleman for Stafford (51); Mark Maloney for Joe O'Connor (59).
Referee: Barry Redmond (Clonard).
A spirited second-half showing from Ferns St. Aidan's made this Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group B clash more interesting than it threatened to be, but ultimately Oulart-The Ballagh maintained their unbeaten run without ever looking like surrendering the initiative in Bellefield on Saturday.
Last year's clash between the sides was won in a canter by the holders on a 6-26 to 1-15 scoreline, and Ferns' prospects of reversing that result didn't appear promising given the absence of such heavy-hitters as injured duo James Tonks and Gavin Bailey, along with Ian Byrne who is out of the country.
And even though Oulart-The Ballagh were minus the services of Des Mythen, Eoin Moore, Shaun Murphy and David Redmond, it looked like another big winning margin was in store for a club with a vastly superior panel as they raced clear by 0-12 to 0-4 at half-time.
It was all about movement and speed from the reigning champions as they bamboozled their rivals with quick passes and clever use of the open spaces.
They held an 0-8 to 0-2 lead by the end of the first quarter, with half of that tally coming from Nicky Kirwan while Rory Jacob, Billy Dunne (two) and Peter Murphy also got in on the act.
One possible concern for Oulart-The Ballagh mentors will be their failure to test Ferns netminder Mick Walsh even once before the break, but they were content to pick off the points as a third from Dunne plus a late trio from Kirwan frees widened the margin to eight by half-time.
The Ferns responses had arrived from hard-working midfield partners Tommy Dwyer (two) and Benny Jordan, along with a Christopher O'Connor free.
However, they still looked to be on a hiding to nothing when play resumed, even with the breeze now in their favour. And the third quarter went along predictable lines, with the gap only dropping below seven on one occasion as Oulart-The Ballagh remained comfortable.
They might have put the game completely to bed in the 44th minute but Derek Thorpe of Ferns made a vital interception of a Garrett Sinnott handpass.
The start of the last quarter saw Paul Morris narrow the margin to six once more, only for Kevin Sheridan to respond quickly from long distance.
However, a glimmer of hope appeared for Ferns in the 49th minute when Ryan Nolan - who had switched to corner-forward for the second-half - beat the advancing Conor O'Leary to flick a delivery to the net and leave his side just four in arrears (0-19 to 1-12).
Four became three when Benny Jordan converted a free, and suddenly some life had been injected into proceedings. Indeed, the tension was ratcheted up a notch as Ferns substitute Anthony Dwyer - only five minutes on the field - and Oulart-The Ballagh defender Barry Kehoe received straight red cards for digging, rather than striking, each other off the ball.
It was an eventful evening for referee Justin Heffernan, who had been momentarily shaken in the first-half after colliding with Ferns midfielder Benny Jordan, and he brandished a third straight red to the losers' full-forward, Peter Codd, after another off-the-ball incident which left Peter Murphy grounded in the 58th minute.
Oulart-The Ballagh still held a three-point lead at that stage (0-20 to 1-14), and they finally wrapped things up from the resultant puck-out. It was caught by captain Garrett Sinnott who delivered a long handpass to the strong running Tommy Storey, and he rattled Mick Walsh's net to leave the holders in pole position and already with one eye on the quarter-finals ahead of their last group game against Rathnure.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Mick Walsh; Tomás Hawkins, John Breen, Brian O'Neill; Ryan Nolan (1-0), Declan Byrne, Ciarán Roberts; Benny Jordan (0-3, 1 free), Tommy Dwyer (0-4, 1 free); Derek Thorpe, Paul Morris (0-3), Jonny Dwyer (0-1); Paddy O'Leary, Peter Codd, Christopher O'Connor (capt., 0-5, 3 frees). Subs. - Anthony Dwyer for O'Leary (48), Colm Whelan for Hawkins (56).
Oulart-The Ballagh: Conor O'Leary; Anthony Roche, Keith Rossiter, Barry Kehoe; Michael Jacob, Paul Roche, Kevin Sheridan (0-1); Tommy Storey (1-0), Rory Jacob (0-3); Peter Murphy (0-1), Nicky Kirwan (0-11, 8 frees, 1 '65), Billy Dunne (0-3); Martin Og Storey (0-1), Murtha Doyle, Garrett Sinnott (capt., 0-2). Sub. - Ben O'Connor for Storey (57).
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater).
August 28: Buffers Alley 0-19, Ferns St Aidans 1-15
Controversy erupted near the end of this Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group B game in Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday, and it had nothing to do with the result given the fact that both teams qualified for the quarter-finals: Buffers Alley by virtue of a win that was more convincing than the scoreline suggests, and Ferns St. Aidan's on the strength of their head-to-head result versus Rathnure.
The major talking point occurred when a brief row developed in the 59th minute, at a stage when the Alley held an 0-18 to 0-14 lead.
Ferns defender Brian O'Neill was lying injured on the ground elsewhere at the time, so I'm not sure if this is what sparked a difference of opinion that was practically over before it started.
However, when the dust settled, referee Barry Redmond sparked outrage among the Alley support by showing a straight red card to Willie Doran and a yellow to Ferns midfielder Tommy Dwyer.
The dismissed player flung his hurl to the sideline in disgust, and no doubt his club will do all in their power to have his suspension over-turned before their quarter-final clash with Glynn-Barntown.
They did manage another point after the dismissal, from a Tomás O'Leary free, and it was an important one as it transpired given that Ferns scored 1-1 deep into added time to leave the minimum between them at the end.
Tommy Dwyer converted a free and then saw his hopeful shot deceive Oliver O'Leary, with Ciarán Roberts running into the netminder's line of sight but not appearing to get a connection on the sliothar before it entered the net.
In truth, it would have been a travesty if Buffers Alley had lost this game, not because of the sending-off but rather the fact that they had played superbly early in the second-half to open up a 0-14 to 0-7 lead.
They were 8-6 up at the break and, after Tomás O'Leary and Christopher O'Connor swapped points on the re-start, the next five on the trot were registered by an Alley side playing into the town end.
John Lee Meyler, Andrew Kenny, Paul O'Leary, Tomás O'Leary (free) and Ross Donohoe all hit the target, but Ferns deserve credit for the strength of their response as four unanswered points from Paul Morris, Christopher O'Connor (free), Jonny Dwyer from long range and Tommy Dwyer (free) meant they weren't out of contention just yet (14-11).
Two key men stepped up to the plate for Buffers Alley at that crucial stage though. Shane Grannell was very impressive at full-forward when he was needed most, picking off two fine points and setting up another brace in between for the very accurate Seán Og Whelan who finished with four in all.
Ferns could only manage one score in that same spell from Paul Morris, but they did narrow the deficit to four with points from Jonny Dwyer and Tommy Dwyer (free) before the Alley were reduced to 14 men for reasons unclear to this writer.
The many absentees among the Ferns ranks are well documented at this stage, and in the circumstances they will be happy to have reached the last eight although the prospect of meeting St. Martin's is a daunting one.
They nearly goaled after a mere 40 seconds when Oliver O'Leary had to smother Christopher O'Connor's pull after a Benny Jordan free came back off the post.
However, there was no goalmouth action of note then until added time at the end of the half when a Ross Donohoe delivery at the other end was batted down by Shane Grannell and John Lee Meyler got the last touch to the net, but a throw-in was the outcome after the referee consulted with his umpires.
The fact that just five of the first-half points (only one from Ferns) arrived from play sums up a lack-lustre opening, although Jonny Dwyer's line ball was a stand-out score for the red and whites who trailed by 0-8 to 0-6 at the interval.
It was a much livelier affair thereafter, with the ending leaving a sour taste among the Alley contingent.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Michael Walsh; Pádraig Bolger, John Breen, Brian O'Neill; Tomás Hawkins, Declan Byrne, Ciarán Roberts; Benny Jordan (0-2 frees), Tommy Dwyer (1-3, 0-3 frees); Ryan Nolan (0-1), Jonny Dwyer (0-3, 1 line ball), Paul Morris (0-2); Paddy O'Leary, Christopher O'Connor (capt., 0-4, 3 frees), Derek Thorpe. Sub. - P.J. O'Neill for O'Leary (55).
Buffers Alley: Oliver O'Leary; Seán Murphy, Ciarán Kenny (capt.), Barry Kenny; Bobby Kenny, Andrew Kenny (0-1), Kevin Roche; Seán Og Whelan (0-4), Pat Kenny; Ross Donohoe (0-1), Willie Doran (0-1), Tomás O'Leary (0-7, 6 frees); Paul O'Leary (0-1), Shane Grannell (0-2), John Lee Meyler (0-2). Sub. - Paudie Reidy for Roche, inj. (28).
Referee: Barry Redmond (Clonard).
September 11, quarter-final: Ferns St Aidans 1-13, St Martin’s 0-15
Ferns always looked a side ready to brew up a storm but they left it until the sixth minute of additional time to seize the day with a dramatic Tomás Hawkins winning goal that left St Martin’s shell-shocked at the end of 66-odd thrilling minutes of this Pettitt’s Wexford Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final at Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday afternoon.
New faces, fresh bodies, left Ferns with many roles to fill in the absence of James Tonks, Gavin Bailey (both injured) along with the departed Ian Byrne, now in Dubai, which ultimately led to a real fairytale story for corner-forward, Anthony Dwyer, who was making his first senior championship start for the club, at the ripe old age of 37 years.
It was surreal stuff for Ferns who celebrated on the final whistle, at the end of just seven minutes of additional time as they stole the show with as dramatic a finish as one will witness in this year's campaign.
As St. Martin's chased a victory they looked like justifying the tag of favouritism, particularly when their outstanding attacker Joe Coleman gave them a two-point cushion one minute into additional time.
But it was a precarious lead as Ferns gave them a dose of their own medicine, pressing forward ultimately leading to the goal that clinched a semi-final spot, leaving their opponents on the receiving end of a real sucker punch.
It was surreal to see St. Martin's on the receiving end of such a late blow, for generally speaking they looked a side capable of winning this game, but for some strange reason failed to turn their authority into sufficient scores.
These are the type of games this young side has still to learn how to win and put away their opponents, for they are at a stage where they realise they have the ability, but that it doesn't really matter how you achieve that objective, as long as you get across the line.
The south county side failed to press home in the second half ultimately paying a costly penalty.
As Ferns chased what would turn out a momentous victory it was a long awaited return from what has been a difficult season for this injury ravaged side.
The enforced absence of such key players saw it as a crunch game for the side.
These are the type of games they have lost down the years but on this occasion they played with a real aggression to their game as they dictated the physical exchanges.
Maybe they left it late to spring that dramatic winning goal but when you look back it was fitting that it was a foul on Paul Morris that led to the free from which the goal developed, for the inter-county attacker was on the receiving end of much close attention, gaining little protection or frees from referee Barry Redmond which left their supporters furious. But it was Morris who had the final say in manufacturing that late long-awaited free.
No questions, it became evident from early on that St. Martin's were going to rely on the accuracy of Joe Coleman for most of their scores, as he pointed a dubious free within 30 seconds of the start.
Although a Tommy Dwyer free had the sides level two minutes late, St. Martin's responded with three unanswered points through Sean Stafford, two, with Rory O'Connor pointing in between, to lead 0-4 to 0-1 after just five minutes.
While Benny Jordan and Johnny Dwyer points kept Ferns in touch, it was Coleman who struck over four further points, two frees, to spring his side into a 0-9 to 0-7 interval lead, with Harry O'Connor also on the mark, while it was Paul Morris, Chris O'Connor, free, Johnny Dwyer and Benny Jordan efforts that left Ferns just two points adrift.
An impressive second half start that produced Rory O'Connor and Coleman, free, points, extending their lead to four points after thirty-nine minutes, looked to have seen St. Martin's set out their stall, but with Tommy Dwyer and Benny Jordan on target, Ferns were still on their coat tails, trailing 0-12 to 0-11, with nine minutes remaining in the tie.
The sides continued to trade points with Ciaran Lyng and Coleman, free, on target for their side, while Tommy Dwyer, 65, and Paul Morris, responded for Ferns, leaving the minimum separating the sides, 0-14 to 0-13 as the game entered additional time, with Coleman then sending over a huge point from play, giving his side a two point cushion.
While it looked as if the Martin's were one step ahead it did not prevent Ferns from a huge surge in the additional minutes added on, despite having Tommy Dwyer dismissed on a second yellow card four minute into additional time.
Paul Morris on two separate occasions was harassed and bullied out of possession to the right of goal on two occasions, losing his helmet in the torrid defending, but in one final throw of the dice, the Ferns attacker won a high ball, this time winning the decision of Referee Redmond.
The free was to the terrace side of goal, some five meters to the left of the posts, with Johnny Dwyer having his bullet like drive beaten down by a packed defence, but Hawkins dived in low close to the post to knock the breaking ball over the line, bringing with it the biggest cheer of the day and the most dramatic of finishes, five minutes and 30 seconds into additional time, with the referee calling full-time seconds later.
Ferns St. Aidans: Michael Walsh; Brian O'Neill, John Breen, Padraig Bolger; Declan Byrne, Ciaran Roberts, Ryan Nolan; Tommy Dwyer (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1, 65), Benny Jordan (0-3, 0-1 free); Derek Thorpe, Paul Morris (0-2), Thomas Hawkins (1-0); Christopher O'Connor (0-2 frees), Johnny Dwyer (0-2), Anthony Dwyer. Sub: Paddy O'Leary for Anthony Dwyer (48).
St. Martin's: Luke White; Conor Firman, Patrick O'Connor, Daithi Hayes; Aaron Maddock, Jack O'Connor, Jake Firman; Joe O'Connor, Ciaran Lyng (0-1); Joe Coleman (0-9, 5 frees), Daithi Waters, Harry O'Connor (0-1); Rory O'Connor (0-2), Sean Stafford (0-2), Barry Lambert. Subs: Tomas Waters for Lambert (h/t); Conor Coleman for Stafford (51); Mark Maloney for Joe O'Connor (59).
Referee: Barry Redmond (Clonard).
October 2, semi-final: Oulart/The Ballagh 4-16, Ferns St Aidans 0-17
The only starting Oulart-The Ballagh forward not to score from play proved that you don't necessarily have to pick off goals and points to make a major impact in the first Pettitt's Senior hurling championship semi-final in Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday.
Physically-imposing team captain Garrett Sinnott had a considerable influence on proceedings as the titleholders marched on to yet another decider with a comfortable and convincing win over a disappointing Ferns St. Aidan's outfit.
Indeed, he provided the assist for all four goals after lining up for the throw-in at right half-forward but then moving closer to the posts immediately to allow Rory Jacob to roam outfield.
The first arrived in the twelfth minute and quelled a positive Ferns start as the underdogs had moved into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead thanks to pointed frees from midfield duo Benny Jordan (two) and Tommy Dwyer, one from play by Paul Morris, and the first of two exquisite line balls from Jonny Dwyer.
All that changed though when Sinnott caught a long delivery and hand-passed to Nicky Kirwan who gave Michael Walsh no chance with a stinging shot.
David Redmond, who enjoyed considerable freedom to roam in the midfield area, promptly put Oulart-The Ballagh ahead for the first time with a point and they never looked back (1-3 to 0-5), even though Jonny Dwyer did convert his second line ball - from the right this time after posting the first from the left following a wide from his initial attempt.
Redmond, Kirwan ('65 and free) and Tommy Storey kept the scoreboard ticking over for the champions before Conor O'Leary saved a shot from a tight angle by Ian Byrne who returned from Dubai for the game.
It was understandable that he lacked match sharpness, and the county player didn't have the desired impact for a Ferns side severely lacking in the attacking department. Indeed, just four of their 17 points came from play, with three of those posted long after the game had ceased to be a meaningful contest.
Tommy Dwyer had pulled the deficit back to 1-7 to 0-7 from a placed ball before the underdogs conceded a needless second goal in the 26th minute.
Full-back John Breen seemed to have a Des Mythen delivery under control but defender Pádraig Bolger was correctly penalised for mauling Garrett Sinnott off the ball and impeding his jump, with the defender collecting a yellow card along with Brian O'Neill whose protests were in vain.
Ferns netminder Michael Walsh dared his counterpart, Conor O'Leary, to strike to the Oulart-The Ballagh's man left by standing very close to the other post, and he duly took up the invitation with a strike that was always travelling too fast for Walsh to make up the ground with his dash across the line (2-7 to 0-7).
Benny Jordan did pull back yet another pointed placed ball for Ferns before the break, and it must be a general concern for Oulart-The Ballagh to note that they conceded 20 frees in all compared to a mere seven from their rivals.
One considerable advantage the holders have over all-comers is squad depth, and this was evident once again in the second-half as five players in all entered the fray without unduly upsetting the flow of the team.
A Des Mythen pass set up Rory Jacob for the first point after the break before a hat-trick of Ferns frees from Benny Jordan and Tommy Dwyer (two) left just three between them (2-8 to 0-11).
However, it was a comfortable three and the threat of an all-out Ferns revival never really existed when it was clear that their forwards would be getting no change out of a resolute, composed Oulart-The Ballagh defensive unit.
A pointed Nicky Kirwan free followed before that man Sinnott decided to throw his weight around again in the 36th minute. This time he plucked Eoin Moore's long ball from the air and handpassed quickly to Kirwan who drove his shot high and handsome into the roof of the net (3-9 to 0-11).
The outcome was a foregone conclusion by that stage, with a Peter Murphy point cancelled out by Ferns captain Christopher O'Connor with only their second effort from play in the 42nd minute.
Kirwan, Mythen and Rory Jacob all split the posts before the end of the third quarter, and the fourth Oulart-The Ballagh goal followed after Benny Jordan (free) and O'Connor had posted a couple more Ferns points.
It arrived in the 50th minute when Michael Jacob drove a long ball to Garrett Sinnott who made another catch but was hooked as he pulled the trigger. He still managed to move the ball on to David Redmond who had ghosted into a great position close to goal, and he wasn't going to miss from that distance (4-13 to 0-14).
The last six points were shared, with Redmond, Rory Jacob (free) and substitute Billy Dunne registering for the winners. Benny Jordan managed a good score from distance for Ferns before Tommy and Jonny Dwyer converted late frees, while the latter saw an earlier placed ball well saved in a crowded goalmouth.
Ferns St. Aidans: Michael Walsh; Pádraig Bolger, John Breen, Brian O'Neill; Ryan Nolan, Ciarán Roberts, Declan Byrne; Tommy Dwyer (0-5 frees), Benny Jordan (0-6, 5 frees); Jonny Dwyer (0-3, 2 line balls, 1 free), Paul Morris (0-1), Christopher O'Connor (capt., 0-2); Tomás Hawkins, Derek Thorpe, Ian Byrne. Subs. - Paddy O'Leary for Hawkins (39), Colm Whelan for D. Byrne (53), Edward Walsh for Thorpe (54).
Oulart-The Ballagh: Conor O'Leary (1-0 pen.); Anthony Roche, Keith Rossiter, Barry Kehoe; Michael Jacob, Shaun Murphy, Kevin Sheridan; David Redmond (1-3), Eoin Moore; Garrett Sinnott (capt.), Peter Murphy (0-1), Des Mythen (0-2); Rory Jacob (0-3, 1 free), Tommy Storey (0-1), Nicky Kirwan (2-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 '65). Subs. - Dennis Morton for Sheridan (HT), Billy Dunne (0-1) for Mythen (48), Martin Og Storey for Sinnott (52), Murtha Doyle for Kirwan (55), Ben O'Connor for T. Storey (55).
Referee: Niall McDonald (Crossabeg-Ballymurn)
The only starting Oulart-The Ballagh forward not to score from play proved that you don't necessarily have to pick off goals and points to make a major impact in the first Pettitt's Senior hurling championship semi-final in Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday.
Physically-imposing team captain Garrett Sinnott had a considerable influence on proceedings as the titleholders marched on to yet another decider with a comfortable and convincing win over a disappointing Ferns St. Aidan's outfit.
Indeed, he provided the assist for all four goals after lining up for the throw-in at right half-forward but then moving closer to the posts immediately to allow Rory Jacob to roam outfield.
The first arrived in the twelfth minute and quelled a positive Ferns start as the underdogs had moved into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead thanks to pointed frees from midfield duo Benny Jordan (two) and Tommy Dwyer, one from play by Paul Morris, and the first of two exquisite line balls from Jonny Dwyer.
All that changed though when Sinnott caught a long delivery and hand-passed to Nicky Kirwan who gave Michael Walsh no chance with a stinging shot.
David Redmond, who enjoyed considerable freedom to roam in the midfield area, promptly put Oulart-The Ballagh ahead for the first time with a point and they never looked back (1-3 to 0-5), even though Jonny Dwyer did convert his second line ball - from the right this time after posting the first from the left following a wide from his initial attempt.
Redmond, Kirwan ('65 and free) and Tommy Storey kept the scoreboard ticking over for the champions before Conor O'Leary saved a shot from a tight angle by Ian Byrne who returned from Dubai for the game.
It was understandable that he lacked match sharpness, and the county player didn't have the desired impact for a Ferns side severely lacking in the attacking department. Indeed, just four of their 17 points came from play, with three of those posted long after the game had ceased to be a meaningful contest.
Tommy Dwyer had pulled the deficit back to 1-7 to 0-7 from a placed ball before the underdogs conceded a needless second goal in the 26th minute.
Full-back John Breen seemed to have a Des Mythen delivery under control but defender Pádraig Bolger was correctly penalised for mauling Garrett Sinnott off the ball and impeding his jump, with the defender collecting a yellow card along with Brian O'Neill whose protests were in vain.
Ferns netminder Michael Walsh dared his counterpart, Conor O'Leary, to strike to the Oulart-The Ballagh's man left by standing very close to the other post, and he duly took up the invitation with a strike that was always travelling too fast for Walsh to make up the ground with his dash across the line (2-7 to 0-7).
Benny Jordan did pull back yet another pointed placed ball for Ferns before the break, and it must be a general concern for Oulart-The Ballagh to note that they conceded 20 frees in all compared to a mere seven from their rivals.
One considerable advantage the holders have over all-comers is squad depth, and this was evident once again in the second-half as five players in all entered the fray without unduly upsetting the flow of the team.
A Des Mythen pass set up Rory Jacob for the first point after the break before a hat-trick of Ferns frees from Benny Jordan and Tommy Dwyer (two) left just three between them (2-8 to 0-11).
However, it was a comfortable three and the threat of an all-out Ferns revival never really existed when it was clear that their forwards would be getting no change out of a resolute, composed Oulart-The Ballagh defensive unit.
A pointed Nicky Kirwan free followed before that man Sinnott decided to throw his weight around again in the 36th minute. This time he plucked Eoin Moore's long ball from the air and handpassed quickly to Kirwan who drove his shot high and handsome into the roof of the net (3-9 to 0-11).
The outcome was a foregone conclusion by that stage, with a Peter Murphy point cancelled out by Ferns captain Christopher O'Connor with only their second effort from play in the 42nd minute.
Kirwan, Mythen and Rory Jacob all split the posts before the end of the third quarter, and the fourth Oulart-The Ballagh goal followed after Benny Jordan (free) and O'Connor had posted a couple more Ferns points.
It arrived in the 50th minute when Michael Jacob drove a long ball to Garrett Sinnott who made another catch but was hooked as he pulled the trigger. He still managed to move the ball on to David Redmond who had ghosted into a great position close to goal, and he wasn't going to miss from that distance (4-13 to 0-14).
The last six points were shared, with Redmond, Rory Jacob (free) and substitute Billy Dunne registering for the winners. Benny Jordan managed a good score from distance for Ferns before Tommy and Jonny Dwyer converted late frees, while the latter saw an earlier placed ball well saved in a crowded goalmouth.
Ferns St. Aidans: Michael Walsh; Pádraig Bolger, John Breen, Brian O'Neill; Ryan Nolan, Ciarán Roberts, Declan Byrne; Tommy Dwyer (0-5 frees), Benny Jordan (0-6, 5 frees); Jonny Dwyer (0-3, 2 line balls, 1 free), Paul Morris (0-1), Christopher O'Connor (capt., 0-2); Tomás Hawkins, Derek Thorpe, Ian Byrne. Subs. - Paddy O'Leary for Hawkins (39), Colm Whelan for D. Byrne (53), Edward Walsh for Thorpe (54).
Oulart-The Ballagh: Conor O'Leary (1-0 pen.); Anthony Roche, Keith Rossiter, Barry Kehoe; Michael Jacob, Shaun Murphy, Kevin Sheridan; David Redmond (1-3), Eoin Moore; Garrett Sinnott (capt.), Peter Murphy (0-1), Des Mythen (0-2); Rory Jacob (0-3, 1 free), Tommy Storey (0-1), Nicky Kirwan (2-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 '65). Subs. - Dennis Morton for Sheridan (HT), Billy Dunne (0-1) for Mythen (48), Martin Og Storey for Sinnott (52), Murtha Doyle for Kirwan (55), Ben O'Connor for T. Storey (55).
Referee: Niall McDonald (Crossabeg-Ballymurn)
