Junior Hurling Championship 2018
April 22: Ferns St. Aidans 4-13, Horeswood 1-20
Minutes after the final whistle, the Ferns St. Aidans faces were still smiling as they continued to come to terms with one of the most dramatic finishes of the year to date.
Their late scoring flourish saw them leave Horeswood stunned in this enthralling Permanent TSB Junior Hurling Championship Group A game in O’Kennedy Park, New Ross, on Sunday.
Two minutes from the end of normal time, the punters’ money would very much have been on Horeswood as they were leading by 1-20 to 2-11 and looking comfortable.
With Ferns down to 14 players, after experienced full back Colm Whelan received a red card on 40 minutes, very few would have envisaged the explosive finish that was about to alter the outcome.
There was less than two minutes of normal time remaining when PJ O’Neill found the net for Ferns with what many believed was a consolation goal, but it was by no means over.
The north county side returned to the attack on the puck-out and on 60 minutes, substitute Jamie Whelan sent a ground shot to the net from close in.
Amidst all the drama, the sides were now level (4-11 to 1-20) as the game moved into additional time.
The initiative was now with Ferns as Horeswood were rocked and had lost their composure.
The eventual winners went for the vital scores, with Jonny Dwyer pointing them in front with a 70-metre free, before Wexford FC soccer player Ryan Nolan went on a dazzling run and cut inside for the final act of a dramatic finish with a point from an acute angle.
This was a game that was always interesting and produced some fine hurling as they battled their way through the opening half.
Ferns led by 1-8 to 0-10 at the break, with their goal a fourth minute effort from Jonny Dwyer, while points from Sean Nolan, Jamie Meyler, Michael O’Hanlon and Shane O’Hanlon kept Horeswood very much in contention.
Ferns got the ideal start to the second half with a Pádraig Bolger goal inside the opening minute, but Horeswood went on to take the iniative.
This was particularly the case following the sending off of Whelan, as a string of points from Michael and Shane O’Hanlon, Jamie Meyler and Sean Nolan edged them into what appeared to be a winning position, as they led by 1-20 to 2-11 with the game entering the final two minutes.
Credit to Ferns who stuck at it though, never accepting defeat, as they somehow generated sufficient energy to transform the game with that explosive finish.
Ferns St. Aidans: Anthony Dwyer; Brian O’Neill (Clone), Colm Whelan, Peter Nolan; Brian O’Neill (St. Aidans), Sean Walsh, Christopher Davitt (0-1); Peter O’Toole (0-2, 1 free), PJ O’Neill (1-0); Derek Thorpe, Pádraig Walsh (0-2), Jonny Dwyer (1-6, 0-5 frees); Ryan Nolan (0-1), Pádraig Bolger (1-0), Lee Quigley (0-1). Subs: Keith Breen for S. Walsh (inj.), Jamie Whelan (1-0) for Bolger.
Horeswood: Eoin Mythen; Gavin Murphy, Eamonn O’Sullivan, Eddie Breen; Danny Byrne, Jamie Meyler (0-5, 1 free, 1 line ball), Shane O’Hanlon (0-2); Barry Hearn, David O’Shea; David Murphy (0-1), Eoin Murphy (0-1), Sean Nolan (0-5); Craig Collier, Michael O’Hanlon (1-6, 4 frees, 2 ‘65’s), Conor Breen. Subs: Paddy McMahon for E. Murphy, Paddy Roche for Breen.
Referee: Pat Kehoe (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).
July 21: Ferns St Aidans 1-13, Bannow-Ballymitty 1-13
Two late, late frees from Gary Jordan earned Bannow-Ballymitty a share of the spoils in a tit-for-tat battle with Ferns St Aidans in round two of the Permanent TSB Junior Hurling Championship Group A in Oylegate on Saturday.
This was a close affair with both sides exchanging scores evenly before Ferns edged two points clear on the 60-minute mark.
However, while there had been a number of stoppages, a lengthy period of added time was imminent and one expected Bannow-Ballymitty to have a chance to rescue something from the game.
It was the amount of time that could not have been foreseen, with Jordan converting his second free in the 68th minute, after missing an opportunity to level matters three minutes earlier, leaving the Ferns faithful more than a little aggrieved about the amount of time that did end up being played.
There was a relatively slow start to the game, with both sides hitting three points in the opening quarter before Alan Barden found the net after the Ferns defence failed to cope with a high delivery into the square.
The lead was short-lived however, as Ferns gave the perfect reply thanks to a great finish to the net by Ben Cowman.
Ferns went in at the break with their noses in front thanks to points from PJ O’Neill, Peter O’Toole and Lee Quigley, outdoing scores from Pádraig McCormack and Gary Jordan.
The second half was a ferocious affair with both sides upping the tempo and both scores and tackles being traded evenly.
Sean Walsh was peerless at centre back for Ferns, and Ben Cowman and Lee Quigley were proving too hot to handle for the opposition defence.
But, with Bannow-Ballymitty well served by Art Sweetman, Niall Harney, Michéal Murphy and Gary Jordan, they were relentless in their pursuits when they found themselves two behind going into injury time.
Then Jordan held his nerve to convert those two frees deep into added time, giving the south county side their first point of the campaign, and Ferns their third.
Ferns St. Aidans: Niall Byrne; Brian O’Neill (Clone), Peter Nolan, Patrick O’Hagan; Brian O’Neill (St. Aidans), Sean Walsh, Christopher Davitt (0-1); Peter O’Toole (0-4, 3 frees), PJ O’Neill (0-1); Ben Cowman (1-2), Pádraig Walsh (0-1), Derek Thorpe (0-1); Anthony Dwyer, Jamie Whelan, Lee Quigley (0-2). Subs: Jeff Tobin (0-1) for Whelan, Paddy O’Leary for Dwyer.
Bannow-Ballymitty: Kevin Doyle; Jaydee Cahill, John O’Leary, David White; Mark Colfer, Art Sweetman, Pádraig McCormack (0-1); Niall Harney (0-2), Michéal Murphy (0-2); Nicky Doyle, Robbie Mageean (0-1), Gary Morton (0-2); Alan Barden (1-0), David Currid, Gary Jordan (0-5, 4 frees).
Referee: Martin Armstrong (Rapparees).
August 5: Ferns St. Aidans 0-19, Faythe Harriers 1-16
There was nothing to separate Ferns St. Aidan's and Faythe Harriers after 60 minutes of action in this Permanent TSB Junior hurling championship Group A clash in Bree on Sunday.
A free with the last puck of the game from Ferns' Lee Quigley ensured the spoils were shared after a hard-fought game in which both sides will feel that they should have won.
The first-half was all Faythe Harriers who were helped by in-form full-forward Con O Donnagáin as he hit 1-3 from play in the opening 15 minutes.
The Wexford town men were totally on top and were ahead by 1-7 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter, helped also by a brace from Jack O'Leary.
Jeff Tobin, Pádraig Walsh and Seán Walsh did their best to kick-start the Ferns challenge with scores, and at half-time it was 1-8 to 0-6 in favour of Faythe Harriers.
The interval team talk seemed to work wonders for Ferns because they were a different team right from the off in the second-half.
A Peter O' Toole free was followed by a smart Derek Thorpe score to reduce the deficit to three points early in the second period.
Ferns had all the momentum now and rattled off another three points without reply including a fine score from centre-back Seán Walsh.
At the midpoint in the second-half Ferns were ahead on a scoreline of 0-15 to 1-10 and were doing all the hurling.
To their credit, Faythe Harriers rallied. Centre-forward Shane Howard was accurate with a couple of frees before they were awarded a penalty which Howard drove over.
The Faythe Harriers captain then scored an excellent individual point and, going into injury time, the sides were level (1-15 to 0-18).
Wing-back Fran Cleary thought he had won it for the Harriers with a fine point before Quigley's late free ensured the game ended all square. Ferns are unbeaten after one win and two draws.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Niall Byrne; Willie Bolger, Peter Nolan, Patrick O'Hagan; P.J. O'Neill, Seán Walsh (0-2), Christopher Davitt; Peter O'Toole (0-6, 2 frees, 1 '65), Brian O'Neill; Ben Cowman, Pádraig Walsh (0-2), Derek Thorpe (0-2); Anthony Dwyer, Jeff Tobin (0-2), Lee Quigley (0-4 frees). Subs. - Ryan Nolan (0-1) for Nolan (17), Paddy O'Leary for P. Walsh, inj. (30), Walsh for Cowman (53).
Faythe Harriers: Adam McDaid; Stephen Gannon, Cillian Gahan, Dáire Reville; Fran Cleary (0-1), Alan Lynch, Ryan Furlong; Dean Walsh (0-1), Jack Murphy (0-1); Conall O Crualaoich, Shane Howard (0-7, 4 frees, 1 pen.), Fiach O Crualaoich; Jack O' Leary (0-3), Con O Donnagáin (1-3), David Gouldson. Sub. - Paul Gannon for Gouldson (30).
Referee: Roly Buckley (Ballyhogue).
August 24: Buffers Alley 3-9, Ferns St. Aidans 0-13
Buffers Alley have given themselves a fighting chance of reaching the Permanent TSB Junior Hurling Championship quarter-finals by beating Ferns in Camolin on Friday evening.
The Monamolin club, who came into the game on back of a 22-point mauling at the hands of Rapparees, got themselves in front with three goals in the first 17 minutes and then hung on with 14 men after the interval.
Ferns will be left cursing those early goals, which came at a time when they were just settling into the game. However, having netted four times in their championship opener, they have failed to raise a green flag in either of their last two games and that is difficult to overcome at this level.
Ben Cowman had the Ferns side on the board early on, but quick goals from the two Paul D’s (Doran and Doyle) eased the Alley at the end of the opening quarter, by 2-2 to 0-2. Thomas O’Leary forced home a third in a crowded goalmouth soon afterwards, but was later given a straight red card after an altercation just before the interval, to leave his side defending a 3-5 to 0-5 lead a man light.
Ferns picked off early second half points through PJ O’Neill, Lee Quigley, Paddy O’Leary and Jeff Tobin to get within six (3-6 to 0-9). However, they managed just four points in the closing quarter, never getting closer than five points behind, as the Alley held on for victory.
Both of these sides go into the last round of games in a strong position, but will still be looking over their shoulders. Ferns have a tough test against Rapparees, knowing a win will see them through, regardless of other results.
Buffers Alley also have their fate in their own hands, as they will advance to the last eight if they beat Bannow/Ballymitty. Both will qualify regardless should Faythe Harriers lose to Horeswood, and neither can be relegated.
Ferns St. Aidans: Niall Byrne; Brian O’Neill, Patrick O’Hagan, William Bolger; PJ O’Neill (0-1), Sean Walsh (capt.), Jack O’Hagan; Keith Breen (0-1), Peter O’Toole; Paddy O’Leary (0-2), Jeff Tobin (0-2), Derek Thorpe (0-2); Lee Quigley (0-3 frees), Jamie Whelan, Ben Cowman (0-2). Subs: Colm Whelan for Tobin (48); Conor Jordan for Cowman (56); Peter Nolan for J. Whelan (56).
Buffers Alley: Tony Doran; John Furlong, Alan Doyle, Matty Cardiff; Lee Murphy, Domhnall McArdle, Colm Óg Doran; Jamie Dempsey-Doyle (0-1), Kevin O’Leary; Thomas O’Leary (0-2), Jim Hughes (0-4 frees), Darragh Butler (1-0, capt.); Paul Doyle (1-0), Keith Burke (0-1), Paul Doran (1-1). Subs: Leonard Lacey for Cardiff (inj., 29); Cian Fortune for P. Doran (42).
Referee: David O’Leary (Rathnure).
September 7: Rapparees 2-13, Ferns St. Aidans 0-6
The Murphy twins led the scoring stakes at Bree on Friday as Rapparees underlined their standing as the top team in Group A of the Permanent TSB Junior Hurling Championship with a commanding win over Ferns St. Aidans.
Talented teenagers John and Anthony both played at Under-17 level with Wexford in last year’s Celtic Challenge, and they accounted for 1-9 from play between them as the town side eased their way towards a quarter-final clash with another neighbouring club, Monageer-Boolavogue.
Ferns knew beforehand that a defeat would take qualification out of their own hands, but they relieved afterwards as Horeswood did them a huge favour by beating the other contenders for fourth place, Faythe Harriers.
As a result, the Gorey District side will also take their place in the quarter-finals, albeit as big underdogs against Group B table-toppers, St. Martin’s.
Rapparees quickly established superiority as they raced clear by 0-6 to nil after 18 minutes, with the top-scoring Murphys grabbing a brace apiece while veteran captain Declan Ruth and Diarmuid Cullen contributed from placed balls.
While the opening Ferns point from Sean Walsh was followed quickly by a second from Peter O’Toole, it proved a false dawn as the Rapps ended the half with a 0-10 to 0-2 lead after Cullen (free), Anthony Murphy and John Murphy (two) added to their tally.
To make matters even worse for Ferns, they had corner back Willie Bolger dismissed on a second yellow card on 28 minutes, making an already difficult task next to impossible.
It led to a pedestrian second half, especially as the leaders goaled after just 34 seconds when Garry Murphy finished a fine move featuring Diarmuid Cullen and the Murphy twins.
Just one of the four Ferns points after the break came from play, with Brian O’Neill getting on the mark in 49th minutes, with free-taker Lee Quigley slotting over the remainder.
Although it wasn’t an ill-tempered game by any stretch of the imagination, the teams finished with 14 and 13 players respectively, after Declan Ruth and Paddy O’Leary saw red for separate incidents in the closing quarter.
It was fitting that the Murphy twins should combine for the winners’ second goal given their huge contribution to the win, with Anthony setting up John for an emphatic finish in the 58th minute.
Ferns St. Aidans: Niall Byrne; Patrick O’Hagan, Peter Nolan, Willie Bolger; PJ O’Neill, Sean Walsh (capt., 0-1), Jack O’Hagan; Keith Breen, Peter O’Toole (0-1); Paddy O’Leary, Brian O’Neill (0-1), Jeff Tobin; Lee Quigley (0-3 frees), Colm Whelan, Anthony Dwyer. Subs: Aaron Cahill for Tobin (42), Jamie Whelan for Quigley (46), Ciarán Doran for O’Toole (56), Ben Cowman for B. O’Neill (58).
Rapparees: Jim O’Connor; Declan Courtney, Eoin Quigley, Ryan Hadley; Mark Redmond, Declan Ruth (capt., 0-1 ‘65’), Nathan O’Connor; Anthony Russell, Cathal Ryan; Peter O’Sullivan, Lee Murphy, Diarmuid Cullen (0-3, 2 frees); Anthony Murphy (0-5), John Murphy (1-4), Garry Murphy (1-0). Subs: Lee Treacy for Russell (38), Ronan Kirwan for Courtney (41), Mikey Dempsey for O’Connor (47), Tom Ryan for L. Murphy (58).
Referee: John Diskin (Bannow-Ballymitty).
September 21, quarter-final: St. Martin’s 0-14, Ferns St. Aidans 1-9
St. Martin’s edged through to the last four of the Permanent TSB Junior Hurling Championship when three Sean Stafford frees down the home straight gave them a narrow 0-14 to 1-9 victory over Ferns St. Aidans in Friday’s quarter final in an illuminated Bree.
The hard-tackling losers were in no mood to concede any goals, and while they only coughed up four points from play over the 68 odd minutes, and just one such score in the second half, they were over-zealous in contact on occasion, as shown by how they conceded 20 frees, half of which resulted in St. Martin’s scores.
Half of St. Martin’s tally from play came in an encouraging opening quarter as Philip Walters and Kyle Firman fired over, but the latter was denied by a reflex save from Niall Byrne in their only clearcut goal chance, two minutes in.
Ferns actually had twice as many different scorers as the winners, and enjoyed their bright moments themselves in the first half.
Peter O’Toole twice flighted over, either side of Peter Codd latching on to a breaking ball to split the posts, while Anthony Dwyer slapped home a close-in free to help create a 1-5 to 0-5 lead at the interval.
Stafford converted a free almost immediately after the re-start, but Derek Thorpe’s swooped response meant that exactly half of Ferns’ total from play came from the middle sector.
Their indiscipline in defence then started to tell on the scoreboard as Stafford didn’t miss one opportunity from a dead ball during the second half.
Dwyer registered a free at the other end as the score stood at 1-7 to 0-8 by the 45th minute, but another Stafford free, and Firman’s second point, helped restore balance soon after.
Ferns then messed up a chance to go back ahead when the goal opened up for Dwyer but he couldn’t find Lee Quigley, with Codd eventually firing a point attempt wide.
Meanwhile, Stafford nudged St. Martin’s back in front with two frees, and while Brian O’Neill pointed from an unlikely angle one minute short of regulation time, a further brace of frees from Stafford in injury time sandwiched one from Dwyer as the reigning Junior ‘A’ champions moved a step closer to back-to-back titles.
Ferns St. Aidans: Niall Byrne; Patrick O’Hagan, Peter Nolan, Willie Bolger; Christopher Davitt, Sean Walsh (capt.), PJ O’Neill; Derek Thorpe (0-1), Peter O’Toole (0-2); Brian O’Neill (0-1), Pádraig Walsh, Peter Codd (0-1); Anthony Dwyer (1-3 frees), Colm Whelan, Lee Quigley (0-1). Subs: Jeff Tobin for Whelan (47), Jamie Whelan for Quigley (57).
St. Martin’s: Dylan Byrne; Jack Whelan, Philip Dempsey, Sam Audsley; Johnny Hamilton, Tony Kelly, Ryan Murphy; Donal Kelly, Ben Stafford; Darren Jordan, Philip Waters (0-1), Sean Stafford (capt., 0-11, 10 frees); Diarmuid Barry, Kyle Firman (0-2), Liam O Lionáin. Sub: Richard Devereux for O Lionáin (h/t).
Referee: Brendan Holohan (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).
Minutes after the final whistle, the Ferns St. Aidans faces were still smiling as they continued to come to terms with one of the most dramatic finishes of the year to date.
Their late scoring flourish saw them leave Horeswood stunned in this enthralling Permanent TSB Junior Hurling Championship Group A game in O’Kennedy Park, New Ross, on Sunday.
Two minutes from the end of normal time, the punters’ money would very much have been on Horeswood as they were leading by 1-20 to 2-11 and looking comfortable.
With Ferns down to 14 players, after experienced full back Colm Whelan received a red card on 40 minutes, very few would have envisaged the explosive finish that was about to alter the outcome.
There was less than two minutes of normal time remaining when PJ O’Neill found the net for Ferns with what many believed was a consolation goal, but it was by no means over.
The north county side returned to the attack on the puck-out and on 60 minutes, substitute Jamie Whelan sent a ground shot to the net from close in.
Amidst all the drama, the sides were now level (4-11 to 1-20) as the game moved into additional time.
The initiative was now with Ferns as Horeswood were rocked and had lost their composure.
The eventual winners went for the vital scores, with Jonny Dwyer pointing them in front with a 70-metre free, before Wexford FC soccer player Ryan Nolan went on a dazzling run and cut inside for the final act of a dramatic finish with a point from an acute angle.
This was a game that was always interesting and produced some fine hurling as they battled their way through the opening half.
Ferns led by 1-8 to 0-10 at the break, with their goal a fourth minute effort from Jonny Dwyer, while points from Sean Nolan, Jamie Meyler, Michael O’Hanlon and Shane O’Hanlon kept Horeswood very much in contention.
Ferns got the ideal start to the second half with a Pádraig Bolger goal inside the opening minute, but Horeswood went on to take the iniative.
This was particularly the case following the sending off of Whelan, as a string of points from Michael and Shane O’Hanlon, Jamie Meyler and Sean Nolan edged them into what appeared to be a winning position, as they led by 1-20 to 2-11 with the game entering the final two minutes.
Credit to Ferns who stuck at it though, never accepting defeat, as they somehow generated sufficient energy to transform the game with that explosive finish.
Ferns St. Aidans: Anthony Dwyer; Brian O’Neill (Clone), Colm Whelan, Peter Nolan; Brian O’Neill (St. Aidans), Sean Walsh, Christopher Davitt (0-1); Peter O’Toole (0-2, 1 free), PJ O’Neill (1-0); Derek Thorpe, Pádraig Walsh (0-2), Jonny Dwyer (1-6, 0-5 frees); Ryan Nolan (0-1), Pádraig Bolger (1-0), Lee Quigley (0-1). Subs: Keith Breen for S. Walsh (inj.), Jamie Whelan (1-0) for Bolger.
Horeswood: Eoin Mythen; Gavin Murphy, Eamonn O’Sullivan, Eddie Breen; Danny Byrne, Jamie Meyler (0-5, 1 free, 1 line ball), Shane O’Hanlon (0-2); Barry Hearn, David O’Shea; David Murphy (0-1), Eoin Murphy (0-1), Sean Nolan (0-5); Craig Collier, Michael O’Hanlon (1-6, 4 frees, 2 ‘65’s), Conor Breen. Subs: Paddy McMahon for E. Murphy, Paddy Roche for Breen.
Referee: Pat Kehoe (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).
July 21: Ferns St Aidans 1-13, Bannow-Ballymitty 1-13
Two late, late frees from Gary Jordan earned Bannow-Ballymitty a share of the spoils in a tit-for-tat battle with Ferns St Aidans in round two of the Permanent TSB Junior Hurling Championship Group A in Oylegate on Saturday.
This was a close affair with both sides exchanging scores evenly before Ferns edged two points clear on the 60-minute mark.
However, while there had been a number of stoppages, a lengthy period of added time was imminent and one expected Bannow-Ballymitty to have a chance to rescue something from the game.
It was the amount of time that could not have been foreseen, with Jordan converting his second free in the 68th minute, after missing an opportunity to level matters three minutes earlier, leaving the Ferns faithful more than a little aggrieved about the amount of time that did end up being played.
There was a relatively slow start to the game, with both sides hitting three points in the opening quarter before Alan Barden found the net after the Ferns defence failed to cope with a high delivery into the square.
The lead was short-lived however, as Ferns gave the perfect reply thanks to a great finish to the net by Ben Cowman.
Ferns went in at the break with their noses in front thanks to points from PJ O’Neill, Peter O’Toole and Lee Quigley, outdoing scores from Pádraig McCormack and Gary Jordan.
The second half was a ferocious affair with both sides upping the tempo and both scores and tackles being traded evenly.
Sean Walsh was peerless at centre back for Ferns, and Ben Cowman and Lee Quigley were proving too hot to handle for the opposition defence.
But, with Bannow-Ballymitty well served by Art Sweetman, Niall Harney, Michéal Murphy and Gary Jordan, they were relentless in their pursuits when they found themselves two behind going into injury time.
Then Jordan held his nerve to convert those two frees deep into added time, giving the south county side their first point of the campaign, and Ferns their third.
Ferns St. Aidans: Niall Byrne; Brian O’Neill (Clone), Peter Nolan, Patrick O’Hagan; Brian O’Neill (St. Aidans), Sean Walsh, Christopher Davitt (0-1); Peter O’Toole (0-4, 3 frees), PJ O’Neill (0-1); Ben Cowman (1-2), Pádraig Walsh (0-1), Derek Thorpe (0-1); Anthony Dwyer, Jamie Whelan, Lee Quigley (0-2). Subs: Jeff Tobin (0-1) for Whelan, Paddy O’Leary for Dwyer.
Bannow-Ballymitty: Kevin Doyle; Jaydee Cahill, John O’Leary, David White; Mark Colfer, Art Sweetman, Pádraig McCormack (0-1); Niall Harney (0-2), Michéal Murphy (0-2); Nicky Doyle, Robbie Mageean (0-1), Gary Morton (0-2); Alan Barden (1-0), David Currid, Gary Jordan (0-5, 4 frees).
Referee: Martin Armstrong (Rapparees).
August 5: Ferns St. Aidans 0-19, Faythe Harriers 1-16
There was nothing to separate Ferns St. Aidan's and Faythe Harriers after 60 minutes of action in this Permanent TSB Junior hurling championship Group A clash in Bree on Sunday.
A free with the last puck of the game from Ferns' Lee Quigley ensured the spoils were shared after a hard-fought game in which both sides will feel that they should have won.
The first-half was all Faythe Harriers who were helped by in-form full-forward Con O Donnagáin as he hit 1-3 from play in the opening 15 minutes.
The Wexford town men were totally on top and were ahead by 1-7 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter, helped also by a brace from Jack O'Leary.
Jeff Tobin, Pádraig Walsh and Seán Walsh did their best to kick-start the Ferns challenge with scores, and at half-time it was 1-8 to 0-6 in favour of Faythe Harriers.
The interval team talk seemed to work wonders for Ferns because they were a different team right from the off in the second-half.
A Peter O' Toole free was followed by a smart Derek Thorpe score to reduce the deficit to three points early in the second period.
Ferns had all the momentum now and rattled off another three points without reply including a fine score from centre-back Seán Walsh.
At the midpoint in the second-half Ferns were ahead on a scoreline of 0-15 to 1-10 and were doing all the hurling.
To their credit, Faythe Harriers rallied. Centre-forward Shane Howard was accurate with a couple of frees before they were awarded a penalty which Howard drove over.
The Faythe Harriers captain then scored an excellent individual point and, going into injury time, the sides were level (1-15 to 0-18).
Wing-back Fran Cleary thought he had won it for the Harriers with a fine point before Quigley's late free ensured the game ended all square. Ferns are unbeaten after one win and two draws.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Niall Byrne; Willie Bolger, Peter Nolan, Patrick O'Hagan; P.J. O'Neill, Seán Walsh (0-2), Christopher Davitt; Peter O'Toole (0-6, 2 frees, 1 '65), Brian O'Neill; Ben Cowman, Pádraig Walsh (0-2), Derek Thorpe (0-2); Anthony Dwyer, Jeff Tobin (0-2), Lee Quigley (0-4 frees). Subs. - Ryan Nolan (0-1) for Nolan (17), Paddy O'Leary for P. Walsh, inj. (30), Walsh for Cowman (53).
Faythe Harriers: Adam McDaid; Stephen Gannon, Cillian Gahan, Dáire Reville; Fran Cleary (0-1), Alan Lynch, Ryan Furlong; Dean Walsh (0-1), Jack Murphy (0-1); Conall O Crualaoich, Shane Howard (0-7, 4 frees, 1 pen.), Fiach O Crualaoich; Jack O' Leary (0-3), Con O Donnagáin (1-3), David Gouldson. Sub. - Paul Gannon for Gouldson (30).
Referee: Roly Buckley (Ballyhogue).
August 24: Buffers Alley 3-9, Ferns St. Aidans 0-13
Buffers Alley have given themselves a fighting chance of reaching the Permanent TSB Junior Hurling Championship quarter-finals by beating Ferns in Camolin on Friday evening.
The Monamolin club, who came into the game on back of a 22-point mauling at the hands of Rapparees, got themselves in front with three goals in the first 17 minutes and then hung on with 14 men after the interval.
Ferns will be left cursing those early goals, which came at a time when they were just settling into the game. However, having netted four times in their championship opener, they have failed to raise a green flag in either of their last two games and that is difficult to overcome at this level.
Ben Cowman had the Ferns side on the board early on, but quick goals from the two Paul D’s (Doran and Doyle) eased the Alley at the end of the opening quarter, by 2-2 to 0-2. Thomas O’Leary forced home a third in a crowded goalmouth soon afterwards, but was later given a straight red card after an altercation just before the interval, to leave his side defending a 3-5 to 0-5 lead a man light.
Ferns picked off early second half points through PJ O’Neill, Lee Quigley, Paddy O’Leary and Jeff Tobin to get within six (3-6 to 0-9). However, they managed just four points in the closing quarter, never getting closer than five points behind, as the Alley held on for victory.
Both of these sides go into the last round of games in a strong position, but will still be looking over their shoulders. Ferns have a tough test against Rapparees, knowing a win will see them through, regardless of other results.
Buffers Alley also have their fate in their own hands, as they will advance to the last eight if they beat Bannow/Ballymitty. Both will qualify regardless should Faythe Harriers lose to Horeswood, and neither can be relegated.
Ferns St. Aidans: Niall Byrne; Brian O’Neill, Patrick O’Hagan, William Bolger; PJ O’Neill (0-1), Sean Walsh (capt.), Jack O’Hagan; Keith Breen (0-1), Peter O’Toole; Paddy O’Leary (0-2), Jeff Tobin (0-2), Derek Thorpe (0-2); Lee Quigley (0-3 frees), Jamie Whelan, Ben Cowman (0-2). Subs: Colm Whelan for Tobin (48); Conor Jordan for Cowman (56); Peter Nolan for J. Whelan (56).
Buffers Alley: Tony Doran; John Furlong, Alan Doyle, Matty Cardiff; Lee Murphy, Domhnall McArdle, Colm Óg Doran; Jamie Dempsey-Doyle (0-1), Kevin O’Leary; Thomas O’Leary (0-2), Jim Hughes (0-4 frees), Darragh Butler (1-0, capt.); Paul Doyle (1-0), Keith Burke (0-1), Paul Doran (1-1). Subs: Leonard Lacey for Cardiff (inj., 29); Cian Fortune for P. Doran (42).
Referee: David O’Leary (Rathnure).
September 7: Rapparees 2-13, Ferns St. Aidans 0-6
The Murphy twins led the scoring stakes at Bree on Friday as Rapparees underlined their standing as the top team in Group A of the Permanent TSB Junior Hurling Championship with a commanding win over Ferns St. Aidans.
Talented teenagers John and Anthony both played at Under-17 level with Wexford in last year’s Celtic Challenge, and they accounted for 1-9 from play between them as the town side eased their way towards a quarter-final clash with another neighbouring club, Monageer-Boolavogue.
Ferns knew beforehand that a defeat would take qualification out of their own hands, but they relieved afterwards as Horeswood did them a huge favour by beating the other contenders for fourth place, Faythe Harriers.
As a result, the Gorey District side will also take their place in the quarter-finals, albeit as big underdogs against Group B table-toppers, St. Martin’s.
Rapparees quickly established superiority as they raced clear by 0-6 to nil after 18 minutes, with the top-scoring Murphys grabbing a brace apiece while veteran captain Declan Ruth and Diarmuid Cullen contributed from placed balls.
While the opening Ferns point from Sean Walsh was followed quickly by a second from Peter O’Toole, it proved a false dawn as the Rapps ended the half with a 0-10 to 0-2 lead after Cullen (free), Anthony Murphy and John Murphy (two) added to their tally.
To make matters even worse for Ferns, they had corner back Willie Bolger dismissed on a second yellow card on 28 minutes, making an already difficult task next to impossible.
It led to a pedestrian second half, especially as the leaders goaled after just 34 seconds when Garry Murphy finished a fine move featuring Diarmuid Cullen and the Murphy twins.
Just one of the four Ferns points after the break came from play, with Brian O’Neill getting on the mark in 49th minutes, with free-taker Lee Quigley slotting over the remainder.
Although it wasn’t an ill-tempered game by any stretch of the imagination, the teams finished with 14 and 13 players respectively, after Declan Ruth and Paddy O’Leary saw red for separate incidents in the closing quarter.
It was fitting that the Murphy twins should combine for the winners’ second goal given their huge contribution to the win, with Anthony setting up John for an emphatic finish in the 58th minute.
Ferns St. Aidans: Niall Byrne; Patrick O’Hagan, Peter Nolan, Willie Bolger; PJ O’Neill, Sean Walsh (capt., 0-1), Jack O’Hagan; Keith Breen, Peter O’Toole (0-1); Paddy O’Leary, Brian O’Neill (0-1), Jeff Tobin; Lee Quigley (0-3 frees), Colm Whelan, Anthony Dwyer. Subs: Aaron Cahill for Tobin (42), Jamie Whelan for Quigley (46), Ciarán Doran for O’Toole (56), Ben Cowman for B. O’Neill (58).
Rapparees: Jim O’Connor; Declan Courtney, Eoin Quigley, Ryan Hadley; Mark Redmond, Declan Ruth (capt., 0-1 ‘65’), Nathan O’Connor; Anthony Russell, Cathal Ryan; Peter O’Sullivan, Lee Murphy, Diarmuid Cullen (0-3, 2 frees); Anthony Murphy (0-5), John Murphy (1-4), Garry Murphy (1-0). Subs: Lee Treacy for Russell (38), Ronan Kirwan for Courtney (41), Mikey Dempsey for O’Connor (47), Tom Ryan for L. Murphy (58).
Referee: John Diskin (Bannow-Ballymitty).
September 21, quarter-final: St. Martin’s 0-14, Ferns St. Aidans 1-9
St. Martin’s edged through to the last four of the Permanent TSB Junior Hurling Championship when three Sean Stafford frees down the home straight gave them a narrow 0-14 to 1-9 victory over Ferns St. Aidans in Friday’s quarter final in an illuminated Bree.
The hard-tackling losers were in no mood to concede any goals, and while they only coughed up four points from play over the 68 odd minutes, and just one such score in the second half, they were over-zealous in contact on occasion, as shown by how they conceded 20 frees, half of which resulted in St. Martin’s scores.
Half of St. Martin’s tally from play came in an encouraging opening quarter as Philip Walters and Kyle Firman fired over, but the latter was denied by a reflex save from Niall Byrne in their only clearcut goal chance, two minutes in.
Ferns actually had twice as many different scorers as the winners, and enjoyed their bright moments themselves in the first half.
Peter O’Toole twice flighted over, either side of Peter Codd latching on to a breaking ball to split the posts, while Anthony Dwyer slapped home a close-in free to help create a 1-5 to 0-5 lead at the interval.
Stafford converted a free almost immediately after the re-start, but Derek Thorpe’s swooped response meant that exactly half of Ferns’ total from play came from the middle sector.
Their indiscipline in defence then started to tell on the scoreboard as Stafford didn’t miss one opportunity from a dead ball during the second half.
Dwyer registered a free at the other end as the score stood at 1-7 to 0-8 by the 45th minute, but another Stafford free, and Firman’s second point, helped restore balance soon after.
Ferns then messed up a chance to go back ahead when the goal opened up for Dwyer but he couldn’t find Lee Quigley, with Codd eventually firing a point attempt wide.
Meanwhile, Stafford nudged St. Martin’s back in front with two frees, and while Brian O’Neill pointed from an unlikely angle one minute short of regulation time, a further brace of frees from Stafford in injury time sandwiched one from Dwyer as the reigning Junior ‘A’ champions moved a step closer to back-to-back titles.
Ferns St. Aidans: Niall Byrne; Patrick O’Hagan, Peter Nolan, Willie Bolger; Christopher Davitt, Sean Walsh (capt.), PJ O’Neill; Derek Thorpe (0-1), Peter O’Toole (0-2); Brian O’Neill (0-1), Pádraig Walsh, Peter Codd (0-1); Anthony Dwyer (1-3 frees), Colm Whelan, Lee Quigley (0-1). Subs: Jeff Tobin for Whelan (47), Jamie Whelan for Quigley (57).
St. Martin’s: Dylan Byrne; Jack Whelan, Philip Dempsey, Sam Audsley; Johnny Hamilton, Tony Kelly, Ryan Murphy; Donal Kelly, Ben Stafford; Darren Jordan, Philip Waters (0-1), Sean Stafford (capt., 0-11, 10 frees); Diarmuid Barry, Kyle Firman (0-2), Liam O Lionáin. Sub: Richard Devereux for O Lionáin (h/t).
Referee: Brendan Holohan (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).
