Senior Hurling Championship 2018
April 21: Oylegate/Glenbrien 2-11, Ferns St. Aidans 1-9
The game might have been the least attractive of the six Pettitt's Senior hurling championship ties in the opening round, but Oylegate-Glenbrien couldn't care less after taking a Group B victory in Hollymount on Saturday.
The first-half in particular was turgid fare, with the eventual victors eventually holding a 0-7 to 0-6 lead at the interval. Things improved somewhat in the second-half as goals from both inside forwards won the day for Oylegate-Glenbrien.
Part of the reason for the first-half stalemate was the fact that both sides looked to play a similar sort of game. It made for an extremely congested middle third, with the quality needed to utilise the available space inside rarely seen.
If the first-half held any secret, it was that the side to make the best use of their full-forward line would likely end up victorious. It was no surprise that both Oylegate-Glenbrien goals came from deep balls that took advantage of their weapons while stretching their opponents' resources.
The first-half wouldn't have lacked the general excitement some might have expected had it not been for the sheer guts and determination shown in the middle third of the park to close down every avenue of attack.
Both sides have been gearing towards this and they expended huge amounts of energy in the first-half fighting for every ball. Indeed, off all six Senior games, this was probably the one where the intensity levels of both sides matched up closest to produce the stalemate.
Ferns opened the scoring with a Gavin Bailey point but that was quickly cancelled out by Podge Doran's first in the fifth minute.
Benny Jordan defied the tight angle on the left to make it 0-2 to 0-1 before Paul Morris picked off another for his side from the opposite side of the field.
As runs go, Oylegate-Glenbrien's was a bit of a slow-burner but they did score the next four points in a row, it just happened to take them 16 minutes. Seamus Casey pointed a free before his dipping shot squirted out of Michael Walsh's hand and over the crossbar to tie the scores.
The next two points also belonged to hot-shot Casey to see Oylegate-Glenbrien into a 0-5 to 0-3 lead. In the last few minutes of the half a game threatened to break out.
Three times Christopher O'Connor closed the gap to one, and eventually it left his side 7-6 behind at the interval.
If the contest was indeed starting to open up, the break nipped that in the bud.
The first five minutes of the second-half went by without a realistic scoring opportunity, but when one did arrive it was of the utmost importance.
Oylegate-Glenbrien were begging for a decent diagonal ball into their inside forwards and it came from the stick of Jamie Reck. Seamus Casey beat his man but it looked like the chance was in danger of petering out when the jersey was being yanked off his back.
However, Casey wriggled free and was suddenly in goalscoring position. He didn't give it another thought, lining up his shot and pummelling the sliothar past Walsh to put the boys in blue and white 1-7 to 0-6 in front.
Points from Damien Reck and Fergal Doran sandwiched a Jordan free as the lead grew slowly to five at the end of the third quarter. Then, almost from nothing, Ferns replied when Eoin Murphy and Patrick Breen combined to find Morris and he whipped his shot to John Foley's goal.
Maybe the tough tempo was catching up with Ferns, as they just couldn't build on the momentum of the major. Casey's seventh point was quickly followed by Podge Doran's second as the lead grew to 1-11 to 1-7.
Chris Turner pulled one back but the game was over as a contest when Damien Reck's ball into the edge of the square was broken down by Doran, into path of Jack Reck, and he tapped home from a couple of feet out.
Benny Jordan drilled a low 20-metre free that Foley was able to save over the crossbar in the 59th minute, but that was as much as Ferns did to make any inroads in a game-high six-point deficit as Oylegate-Glenbrien took a morale-boosting opening victory.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Michael Walsh; Conor Scallan, John Breen, Declan Byrne; Ciarán Roberts, Gavin Bailey (0-1), James Tonks; Benny Jordan (0-3, 2 frees), Tommy Dwyer; Eoin Murphy, Paul Morris (capt., 1-1), Niall Murphy; Chris Turner (0-1), Patrick Breen, Christopher O'Connor (0-3 frees). Subs. - James Lawlor for N. Murphy (40), Edward Walsh for Turner (51).
Oylegate-Glenbrien: John Foley; Robbie O'Connor, Fergal Heffernan, Mike Kelly; Ciarán Hourihane, Michael Heffernan (capt.), Mark Kavanagh; Fergal Doran (0-1), Conor Heffernan; Conor Nolan, Damien Reck (0-1), Podge Doran (0-2); Seamus Casey (1-7, 0-4 frees), Jamie Reck, Jack Reck (1-0). Subs. - Tom White for Nolan (49), Conor Doyle for Jack Reck (60).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James').
July 22: Naomh Eanna 3-22, Ferns St. Aidans 0-16
A full 15 points separated an impressive Naomh Eanna from struggling Ferns St. Aidan's in this surprisingly one-sided Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group B clash in Bellefield on Sunday.
Just a couple of seasons ago, when they were the new kids on the block, any win in the top tier was something to celebrate for the Gorey gang. However, the professionalism with which they swatted away Ferns suggested they have bigger fish to fry.
This game takes on a different perspective, depending on which colours you wear. Gorey did look slick, as they've made some positional changes, tinkered a bit and the result looks like a potential challenger.
Naomh Eanna are not going to be too many observers' choice to go on and win it all but, flying under the radar, in the middle of the pack in terms of bookmakers' favourites, is going to sit just fine with them.
They produced nine different scorers, as all six starting forwards hit the target and midfield even chipped in with a healthy four scores. It suggests that they are tough team to pin down and Ferns certainly struggled.
Cathal Dunbar has carried plenty of pressure into this season but his second goal in two championship outings showed a glimpse of what he's capable of. That's exactly why others should be wary of this Gorey side.
Dunbar was influential in patches, while Conor McDonald impressed but is capable of taking over a game. Darragh Hughes was a tricky opponent for Ferns to deal with but he didn't get everything his own way. Gorey were good but they can be even better.
For Ferns, things are getting worrying. They were out of this game midway though the second-half and now have two losses on the board.
With a wounded Oulart-The Ballagh on the horizon, it looks likely that they will need to beat both Rathnure and Glynn-Barntown to avoid a relegation play-off.
They struggled to compete against Naomh Eanna's powerful middle eight. It was hugely telling that when they moved Benny Jordan into that section of the field, he quickly flashed over three points and made his presence felt.
The loss of Paul Morris was somewhat tempered by the availability of Ian Byrne, but no team can lose a player of that calibre and not feel the effects. Byrne scored their first point, and added another two in the opening half, but Ferns didn't get enough out of the strong breeze at their backs and trailed at the break.
There was only two points in it (1-9 to 0-10) but it felt like more. Aodhán Doyle scored a nice brace for Gorey early on but it was Dunbar's brilliant goal - he had two men to beat, jinked past them and flashed across goal to the net - that proved particularly important to their confidence levels.
Things were going so well for Gorey that when Conor McDonald was surrounded by four Ferns players just before the half-time whistle, he sent a backwards handpass to Gary Molloy and with the Ferns players looking around in disbelief the midfielder drilled it over.
Not scoring in the first twelve minutes of the second-half simply wasn't going to get it done for Ferns.
By the time Jordan had been dragged out and scored his first point, Naomh Eanna had built a ten-point advantage.
It could have been worse. Michael Walsh, who made a stunning save from Aodhán Doyle in the first-half, made another almost as good to prevent a Pádraig Doyle goal.
However, there was nothing he could do to deny Darragh Hughes when he won a long ball close to goal and audaciously scooped a shot into the net.
With Ferns all at sea, Jack Cullen started a move that flowed through Conor McDonald and Pádraig Doyle before he picked out David O'Brien for a clinical, swatted finish (3-18 to 0-14).
Dunbar continued the tricks with a classy line ball score as Naomh Eanna purred away from their weary opponents.
While Ferns will need serious improvement to test Oulart-The Ballagh, Naomh Eanna will be hoping to maintain their momentum by overcoming a tricky Glynn-Barntown test next time out.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Michael Walsh; Conor Scallan, John Breen, Declan Byrne; James Tonks, Gavin Bailey, Ciarán Roberts; Tommy Dwyer, Niall Murphy (0-1); Jonny Dwyer (0-2), Ian Byrne (0-3), James Lawlor (0-1); Brendan Jordan (0-3), Chris Turner (0-4 frees), Christopher O'Connor (0-2). Subs. - Eoin Murphy for Lawlor (44), Brian O'Neill for Bailey, inj. (45), Patrick Breen for Turner (56).
Naomh Eanna: Barry Kinsella; Eoin Molloy, Brendan Travers (capt.), Peter Travers; Seán Doyle, Jack Cullen (0-1), Eoin Conroy; Aodhán Doyle (0-3), Gary Molloy (0-1); Charlie McGuckin (0-1), Pádraig Doyle (0-11, 10 frees), Darragh Hughes (1-1, 0-1 free); David O'Brien (1-1), Conor McDonald (0-2), Cathal Dunbar (1-1, 0-1 line ball). Subs. - Jack Cushe for S. Doyle (31), William Cullen for O'Brien, inj. (52), Lee Kinsella for B. Travers (56).
Referee: James Owens (Askamore).
August 8: Oulart/The Ballagh 2-14, Ferns St. Aidans 0-15
Oulart/The Ballagh earned a hard-fought five-point win over Ferns St. Aidans in Group B of the Pettit’s Senior Hurling Championship in Monamolin on Wednesday.
In a tense encounter and with both sides weakened by injuries, it was the 2016 champions who came away with the victory.
The final score was not a fair reflection of the game however, as Ferns gave as good as they got and looked the more likely winners for large parts of this entertaining encounter.
Ferns came out of the traps quickly, helped by some superb scores that included a brace by Jonny Dwyer and a fine Benny Jordan point.
They then came within a whisker of an early goal as Christopher ‘Bitzy’ O’Connor’s first-time pull went just past the post.
Oulart/The Ballagh full-forward Martin Óg Storey replied with a point after narrowly firing over with a goal attempt.
Nicky Kirwan, as he so often does, got his team going with a goal after 15 minutes when he pulled on a breaking ball to make it 1-3 to 0-5.
Benny Jordan then took the game by the scruff of the neck and rattled off three superb points, and at half time, Ferns led by 0-9 to 1-4.
The second half was an intense affair with numerous off-the-ball incidents which kept the officials busy.
The turning point came when Oulart/The Ballagh introduced Peter Sutton. With ten minutes to go, and with Ferns leading by a goal, a short puck-out went horribly wrong, leading to Sutton blocking down an attempted clearance and racing through to rattle the net.
With the sides now level, Oulart/The Ballagh’s experienced players began to shine.
Their defence tightened up, and Garrett Sinnott started to win plenty of vital possession around the middle.
The final ten minutes was all Oulart/The Ballagh as they outscored their opponents by 1-7 to 0-2.
Scores from Eamon Murphy, Des Mythen, Garrett Sinnott, Billy Dunne and the excellent Nicky Kirwan earned them a flattering five-point win, to keep their championship hopes alive.
Ferns St. Aidans: Michael Walsh; Conor Scallan, John Breen, Declan Byrne; Brian O’Neill, Gavin Bailey, Ciarán Roberts; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Niall Murphy; Jonny Dwyer (0-3), Ian Byrne (0-1), James Lawlor; Christopher O’Connor (0-5, 4 frees), Eoin Murphy (0-1), Benny Jordan (0-4). Subs: Chris Turner for Bailey (inj., 43); Ryan Nolan for Lawlor (57).
Oulart/The Ballagh: Conor O’Leary; Ian Storey, Keith Rossiter, Barry Kehoe; Anthony Roche, Shaun Murphy, Denis Morton; Rory Jacob, Eamon Murphy (0-1); Des Mythen (0-3), Garrett Sinnott (0-2), Peter Murphy; Murtha Doyle, Martin Óg Storey (0-2), Nicky Kirwan (1-5, 2 frees, 1 ‘65’). Subs: Peter Sutton (1-0) for Jacob (47); Billy Dunne (0-1) for P. Murphy (52).
Referee: Seán Whelan (St. Martin’s)
August 26: Ferns St. Aidans 1-19, Rathnure 1-9
Ferns St. Aidans have put themselves back into contention for a possible quarter-final spot after they saw off Rathnure with a comfortable win in this Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Group B tie in Bellefield on Sunday.
After failing to secure a win in their first three outings, Ferns came out in flying form and sealed their first win with an impressive team performance.
Rathure were simply no match for their opponents, looking flat and only managing five points in a poor first half.
Ferns on the other hand came tearing off the blocks, racing to a nine-point lead midway through the first half.
Paul Morris made a welcome return from injury and looked rejuvenated as he put in a man of the match display in front of goals.
While it is usually Morris’s scoring prowess that Ferns rely upon, this time it was his ability to win possession, make space, and set up his colleagues for scores, that made him stand out.
Ferns had four on the board inside six minutes thanks to Tommy Dwyer, Ian Byrne, Christopher O’Connor and Benny Jordan, before Morris did all the hard work to set Chris Turner up for a well-taken goal.
Rathnure were struggling and points from Jack Guiney and Seán and Ciarán O’Connor were all they could muster for 23 minutes as Ferns continued to find the mark with Byrne, Morris, O’Connor and Gavin Bailey all doing the honours.
The eventual winners went in at the break with a nine-point lead after Bailey and O’Connor swapped scores with Eoin and Rory Higgins.
Rathnure needed a big half if they were to rescue anything from the game but it just never came, as Ferns continued to dominate proceedings, and with clever use of possession and a steely determination, they added points at ease throughout a lacklustre second half.
Rathnure did pull a goal back thanks to Rory Higgins but they never threatened to make a comeback at any stage, as Morris continued to create opportunities and with fine performances from Gavin Bailey and Benny Jordan, they cruised to their first win.
Ferns now face Glynn/Barntown in their final game while Rathnure will face Oulart/The Ballagh, with the winners of both games guaranteed a spot in the last eight.
Ferns St. Aidans: Michael Walsh; Brian O’Neill, John Breen, Declan Byrne; James Tonks, Conor Scallan, Niall Murphy; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Gavin Bailey (0-3); Johnny Dwyer, Ian Byrne (0-3, 2 frees), Benny Jordan (0-3, 1 free); Christopher O’Connor (0-7, 5 frees), Paul Morris (0-2), Chris Turner (1-0). Subs: Eoin Murphy for J. Dwyer (half time); James Lawlor for Bailey (58 mins); Patrick Byrne for I. Byrne (60 mins).
Rathnure: Dermot Flynn; Paddy Whitley, Eoin Boggan, Cathal O’Connor; Aidan Redmond, Jack Guiney (0-1 free), Shane Lawlor; Eoin Higgins (0-1), Podge Doyle (0-1); Brian Quigley, James Tobins, Rory Higgins (1-1); Seán O’Connor (0-1), Michael Redmond, Ciarán O’Connor (0-2). Subs: Michéal O’Connor for A. Redmond (23 mins); Richie Flynn (0-2) for M. Redmond (half time); Declan Foley for Tobin (half time); Seánie Redmond for S. O’Connor (53 mins).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James’s).
The game might have been the least attractive of the six Pettitt's Senior hurling championship ties in the opening round, but Oylegate-Glenbrien couldn't care less after taking a Group B victory in Hollymount on Saturday.
The first-half in particular was turgid fare, with the eventual victors eventually holding a 0-7 to 0-6 lead at the interval. Things improved somewhat in the second-half as goals from both inside forwards won the day for Oylegate-Glenbrien.
Part of the reason for the first-half stalemate was the fact that both sides looked to play a similar sort of game. It made for an extremely congested middle third, with the quality needed to utilise the available space inside rarely seen.
If the first-half held any secret, it was that the side to make the best use of their full-forward line would likely end up victorious. It was no surprise that both Oylegate-Glenbrien goals came from deep balls that took advantage of their weapons while stretching their opponents' resources.
The first-half wouldn't have lacked the general excitement some might have expected had it not been for the sheer guts and determination shown in the middle third of the park to close down every avenue of attack.
Both sides have been gearing towards this and they expended huge amounts of energy in the first-half fighting for every ball. Indeed, off all six Senior games, this was probably the one where the intensity levels of both sides matched up closest to produce the stalemate.
Ferns opened the scoring with a Gavin Bailey point but that was quickly cancelled out by Podge Doran's first in the fifth minute.
Benny Jordan defied the tight angle on the left to make it 0-2 to 0-1 before Paul Morris picked off another for his side from the opposite side of the field.
As runs go, Oylegate-Glenbrien's was a bit of a slow-burner but they did score the next four points in a row, it just happened to take them 16 minutes. Seamus Casey pointed a free before his dipping shot squirted out of Michael Walsh's hand and over the crossbar to tie the scores.
The next two points also belonged to hot-shot Casey to see Oylegate-Glenbrien into a 0-5 to 0-3 lead. In the last few minutes of the half a game threatened to break out.
Three times Christopher O'Connor closed the gap to one, and eventually it left his side 7-6 behind at the interval.
If the contest was indeed starting to open up, the break nipped that in the bud.
The first five minutes of the second-half went by without a realistic scoring opportunity, but when one did arrive it was of the utmost importance.
Oylegate-Glenbrien were begging for a decent diagonal ball into their inside forwards and it came from the stick of Jamie Reck. Seamus Casey beat his man but it looked like the chance was in danger of petering out when the jersey was being yanked off his back.
However, Casey wriggled free and was suddenly in goalscoring position. He didn't give it another thought, lining up his shot and pummelling the sliothar past Walsh to put the boys in blue and white 1-7 to 0-6 in front.
Points from Damien Reck and Fergal Doran sandwiched a Jordan free as the lead grew slowly to five at the end of the third quarter. Then, almost from nothing, Ferns replied when Eoin Murphy and Patrick Breen combined to find Morris and he whipped his shot to John Foley's goal.
Maybe the tough tempo was catching up with Ferns, as they just couldn't build on the momentum of the major. Casey's seventh point was quickly followed by Podge Doran's second as the lead grew to 1-11 to 1-7.
Chris Turner pulled one back but the game was over as a contest when Damien Reck's ball into the edge of the square was broken down by Doran, into path of Jack Reck, and he tapped home from a couple of feet out.
Benny Jordan drilled a low 20-metre free that Foley was able to save over the crossbar in the 59th minute, but that was as much as Ferns did to make any inroads in a game-high six-point deficit as Oylegate-Glenbrien took a morale-boosting opening victory.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Michael Walsh; Conor Scallan, John Breen, Declan Byrne; Ciarán Roberts, Gavin Bailey (0-1), James Tonks; Benny Jordan (0-3, 2 frees), Tommy Dwyer; Eoin Murphy, Paul Morris (capt., 1-1), Niall Murphy; Chris Turner (0-1), Patrick Breen, Christopher O'Connor (0-3 frees). Subs. - James Lawlor for N. Murphy (40), Edward Walsh for Turner (51).
Oylegate-Glenbrien: John Foley; Robbie O'Connor, Fergal Heffernan, Mike Kelly; Ciarán Hourihane, Michael Heffernan (capt.), Mark Kavanagh; Fergal Doran (0-1), Conor Heffernan; Conor Nolan, Damien Reck (0-1), Podge Doran (0-2); Seamus Casey (1-7, 0-4 frees), Jamie Reck, Jack Reck (1-0). Subs. - Tom White for Nolan (49), Conor Doyle for Jack Reck (60).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James').
July 22: Naomh Eanna 3-22, Ferns St. Aidans 0-16
A full 15 points separated an impressive Naomh Eanna from struggling Ferns St. Aidan's in this surprisingly one-sided Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group B clash in Bellefield on Sunday.
Just a couple of seasons ago, when they were the new kids on the block, any win in the top tier was something to celebrate for the Gorey gang. However, the professionalism with which they swatted away Ferns suggested they have bigger fish to fry.
This game takes on a different perspective, depending on which colours you wear. Gorey did look slick, as they've made some positional changes, tinkered a bit and the result looks like a potential challenger.
Naomh Eanna are not going to be too many observers' choice to go on and win it all but, flying under the radar, in the middle of the pack in terms of bookmakers' favourites, is going to sit just fine with them.
They produced nine different scorers, as all six starting forwards hit the target and midfield even chipped in with a healthy four scores. It suggests that they are tough team to pin down and Ferns certainly struggled.
Cathal Dunbar has carried plenty of pressure into this season but his second goal in two championship outings showed a glimpse of what he's capable of. That's exactly why others should be wary of this Gorey side.
Dunbar was influential in patches, while Conor McDonald impressed but is capable of taking over a game. Darragh Hughes was a tricky opponent for Ferns to deal with but he didn't get everything his own way. Gorey were good but they can be even better.
For Ferns, things are getting worrying. They were out of this game midway though the second-half and now have two losses on the board.
With a wounded Oulart-The Ballagh on the horizon, it looks likely that they will need to beat both Rathnure and Glynn-Barntown to avoid a relegation play-off.
They struggled to compete against Naomh Eanna's powerful middle eight. It was hugely telling that when they moved Benny Jordan into that section of the field, he quickly flashed over three points and made his presence felt.
The loss of Paul Morris was somewhat tempered by the availability of Ian Byrne, but no team can lose a player of that calibre and not feel the effects. Byrne scored their first point, and added another two in the opening half, but Ferns didn't get enough out of the strong breeze at their backs and trailed at the break.
There was only two points in it (1-9 to 0-10) but it felt like more. Aodhán Doyle scored a nice brace for Gorey early on but it was Dunbar's brilliant goal - he had two men to beat, jinked past them and flashed across goal to the net - that proved particularly important to their confidence levels.
Things were going so well for Gorey that when Conor McDonald was surrounded by four Ferns players just before the half-time whistle, he sent a backwards handpass to Gary Molloy and with the Ferns players looking around in disbelief the midfielder drilled it over.
Not scoring in the first twelve minutes of the second-half simply wasn't going to get it done for Ferns.
By the time Jordan had been dragged out and scored his first point, Naomh Eanna had built a ten-point advantage.
It could have been worse. Michael Walsh, who made a stunning save from Aodhán Doyle in the first-half, made another almost as good to prevent a Pádraig Doyle goal.
However, there was nothing he could do to deny Darragh Hughes when he won a long ball close to goal and audaciously scooped a shot into the net.
With Ferns all at sea, Jack Cullen started a move that flowed through Conor McDonald and Pádraig Doyle before he picked out David O'Brien for a clinical, swatted finish (3-18 to 0-14).
Dunbar continued the tricks with a classy line ball score as Naomh Eanna purred away from their weary opponents.
While Ferns will need serious improvement to test Oulart-The Ballagh, Naomh Eanna will be hoping to maintain their momentum by overcoming a tricky Glynn-Barntown test next time out.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Michael Walsh; Conor Scallan, John Breen, Declan Byrne; James Tonks, Gavin Bailey, Ciarán Roberts; Tommy Dwyer, Niall Murphy (0-1); Jonny Dwyer (0-2), Ian Byrne (0-3), James Lawlor (0-1); Brendan Jordan (0-3), Chris Turner (0-4 frees), Christopher O'Connor (0-2). Subs. - Eoin Murphy for Lawlor (44), Brian O'Neill for Bailey, inj. (45), Patrick Breen for Turner (56).
Naomh Eanna: Barry Kinsella; Eoin Molloy, Brendan Travers (capt.), Peter Travers; Seán Doyle, Jack Cullen (0-1), Eoin Conroy; Aodhán Doyle (0-3), Gary Molloy (0-1); Charlie McGuckin (0-1), Pádraig Doyle (0-11, 10 frees), Darragh Hughes (1-1, 0-1 free); David O'Brien (1-1), Conor McDonald (0-2), Cathal Dunbar (1-1, 0-1 line ball). Subs. - Jack Cushe for S. Doyle (31), William Cullen for O'Brien, inj. (52), Lee Kinsella for B. Travers (56).
Referee: James Owens (Askamore).
August 8: Oulart/The Ballagh 2-14, Ferns St. Aidans 0-15
Oulart/The Ballagh earned a hard-fought five-point win over Ferns St. Aidans in Group B of the Pettit’s Senior Hurling Championship in Monamolin on Wednesday.
In a tense encounter and with both sides weakened by injuries, it was the 2016 champions who came away with the victory.
The final score was not a fair reflection of the game however, as Ferns gave as good as they got and looked the more likely winners for large parts of this entertaining encounter.
Ferns came out of the traps quickly, helped by some superb scores that included a brace by Jonny Dwyer and a fine Benny Jordan point.
They then came within a whisker of an early goal as Christopher ‘Bitzy’ O’Connor’s first-time pull went just past the post.
Oulart/The Ballagh full-forward Martin Óg Storey replied with a point after narrowly firing over with a goal attempt.
Nicky Kirwan, as he so often does, got his team going with a goal after 15 minutes when he pulled on a breaking ball to make it 1-3 to 0-5.
Benny Jordan then took the game by the scruff of the neck and rattled off three superb points, and at half time, Ferns led by 0-9 to 1-4.
The second half was an intense affair with numerous off-the-ball incidents which kept the officials busy.
The turning point came when Oulart/The Ballagh introduced Peter Sutton. With ten minutes to go, and with Ferns leading by a goal, a short puck-out went horribly wrong, leading to Sutton blocking down an attempted clearance and racing through to rattle the net.
With the sides now level, Oulart/The Ballagh’s experienced players began to shine.
Their defence tightened up, and Garrett Sinnott started to win plenty of vital possession around the middle.
The final ten minutes was all Oulart/The Ballagh as they outscored their opponents by 1-7 to 0-2.
Scores from Eamon Murphy, Des Mythen, Garrett Sinnott, Billy Dunne and the excellent Nicky Kirwan earned them a flattering five-point win, to keep their championship hopes alive.
Ferns St. Aidans: Michael Walsh; Conor Scallan, John Breen, Declan Byrne; Brian O’Neill, Gavin Bailey, Ciarán Roberts; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Niall Murphy; Jonny Dwyer (0-3), Ian Byrne (0-1), James Lawlor; Christopher O’Connor (0-5, 4 frees), Eoin Murphy (0-1), Benny Jordan (0-4). Subs: Chris Turner for Bailey (inj., 43); Ryan Nolan for Lawlor (57).
Oulart/The Ballagh: Conor O’Leary; Ian Storey, Keith Rossiter, Barry Kehoe; Anthony Roche, Shaun Murphy, Denis Morton; Rory Jacob, Eamon Murphy (0-1); Des Mythen (0-3), Garrett Sinnott (0-2), Peter Murphy; Murtha Doyle, Martin Óg Storey (0-2), Nicky Kirwan (1-5, 2 frees, 1 ‘65’). Subs: Peter Sutton (1-0) for Jacob (47); Billy Dunne (0-1) for P. Murphy (52).
Referee: Seán Whelan (St. Martin’s)
August 26: Ferns St. Aidans 1-19, Rathnure 1-9
Ferns St. Aidans have put themselves back into contention for a possible quarter-final spot after they saw off Rathnure with a comfortable win in this Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Group B tie in Bellefield on Sunday.
After failing to secure a win in their first three outings, Ferns came out in flying form and sealed their first win with an impressive team performance.
Rathure were simply no match for their opponents, looking flat and only managing five points in a poor first half.
Ferns on the other hand came tearing off the blocks, racing to a nine-point lead midway through the first half.
Paul Morris made a welcome return from injury and looked rejuvenated as he put in a man of the match display in front of goals.
While it is usually Morris’s scoring prowess that Ferns rely upon, this time it was his ability to win possession, make space, and set up his colleagues for scores, that made him stand out.
Ferns had four on the board inside six minutes thanks to Tommy Dwyer, Ian Byrne, Christopher O’Connor and Benny Jordan, before Morris did all the hard work to set Chris Turner up for a well-taken goal.
Rathnure were struggling and points from Jack Guiney and Seán and Ciarán O’Connor were all they could muster for 23 minutes as Ferns continued to find the mark with Byrne, Morris, O’Connor and Gavin Bailey all doing the honours.
The eventual winners went in at the break with a nine-point lead after Bailey and O’Connor swapped scores with Eoin and Rory Higgins.
Rathnure needed a big half if they were to rescue anything from the game but it just never came, as Ferns continued to dominate proceedings, and with clever use of possession and a steely determination, they added points at ease throughout a lacklustre second half.
Rathnure did pull a goal back thanks to Rory Higgins but they never threatened to make a comeback at any stage, as Morris continued to create opportunities and with fine performances from Gavin Bailey and Benny Jordan, they cruised to their first win.
Ferns now face Glynn/Barntown in their final game while Rathnure will face Oulart/The Ballagh, with the winners of both games guaranteed a spot in the last eight.
Ferns St. Aidans: Michael Walsh; Brian O’Neill, John Breen, Declan Byrne; James Tonks, Conor Scallan, Niall Murphy; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Gavin Bailey (0-3); Johnny Dwyer, Ian Byrne (0-3, 2 frees), Benny Jordan (0-3, 1 free); Christopher O’Connor (0-7, 5 frees), Paul Morris (0-2), Chris Turner (1-0). Subs: Eoin Murphy for J. Dwyer (half time); James Lawlor for Bailey (58 mins); Patrick Byrne for I. Byrne (60 mins).
Rathnure: Dermot Flynn; Paddy Whitley, Eoin Boggan, Cathal O’Connor; Aidan Redmond, Jack Guiney (0-1 free), Shane Lawlor; Eoin Higgins (0-1), Podge Doyle (0-1); Brian Quigley, James Tobins, Rory Higgins (1-1); Seán O’Connor (0-1), Michael Redmond, Ciarán O’Connor (0-2). Subs: Michéal O’Connor for A. Redmond (23 mins); Richie Flynn (0-2) for M. Redmond (half time); Declan Foley for Tobin (half time); Seánie Redmond for S. O’Connor (53 mins).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James’s).
Sept. 9: Ferns St. Aidans 1-16, Glynn/Barntown 0-18
Anyone who stayed at home in Ferns probably heard the roar from Bellefield at around 4.55 p.m. on Sunday as their fellow parishioners sealed a precious place in the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship quarter-final in remarkable fashion.
Glynn-Barntown led by 0-8 to nil early in the second quarter, and then played with an extra man from the 25th minute until added time after an off-the-ball incident resulted in a straight red card for Brendan Jordan.
And the Wexford District side were still in the driving seat with 13 minutes remaining when they were ahead by 0-17 to 1-8, but Ferns St. Aidan's played out of their skins in the closing stages as eight of the last nine points powered them to a famous victory against all the odds.
The class of Ian Byrne yielded a string of vital scores, including the last four (three from frees) in a heart-stopping finish.
However, it was all about the collective effort from the victors who didn't want to endure the worry of another relegation final after just about surviving last year at the expense of Cloughbawn.
Their reward is a quarter-final against holders St. Martin's, while the margins were so tight afterwards that nobody was fully sure of the losers' situation without some thorough checking of the table.
And not alone are Glynn-Barntown out, they are also set for a relegation decider versus Buffers Alley as a result of scoring twelve points less than Oulart-The Ballagh after the sides both finished on three points, and with an identical scoring difference of -7.
That's how tight it was, and it was impossible to envisage such a scenario when the wind-aided Glynn-Barntown surged into that commanding lead, with county Under-21 Rowan White opening their account after a mere six seconds.
Free-takers Gary Moore (three) and goalkeeper Mark Fanning (two) also contributed along with Michael Doyle and Craig Doyle, but Ferns got the lift they so badly needed in the 22nd minute.
Chris Turner did well to chase a seemingly lost cause and keep the ball in play, before cutting inside an unleashing a shot. Fanning managed to keep it out, but the rebound was swept to the net by Christopher O'Connor (0-8 to 1-0).
The Ferns joy was shortlived however, as an off-the-ball incident after Michael Doyle struck a point led to the dismissal of Brendan Jordan after referee James Owens consulted with two umpires and linesman David O'Leary.
The closing minutes of the half were key because, instead of hammering home their numerical advantage, Glynn-Barntown lost their way in trying to pick up Ian Byrne whose three points from play left a mere four between them at the break (0-11 to 1-4).
Paul Morris and Byrne made it a two-point game on the re-start, but then it looked like Glynn-Barntown had fully settled as a run of four unanswered scores at one stage eventually left them six clear heading into the closing quarter.
Ferns were fantastic when it really mattered though, and it certainly wasn't fully due to the advantage of the elements as they really thundered into the game all over the field.
Slowly but surely they whittled down the lead, bypassing free man John Leacy as often as possible and hitting a remarkable seven points in succession between the 48th and 62nd minutes thanks to Byrne, Tommy Dwyer, Gavin Bailey, substitute Eoin Murphy, and a Byrne treble including two from frees.
Glynn-Barntown levelled nearly two minutes into added time when David Clarke fed Rowan White who split the posts from the left wing, their first score in almost quarter of an hour.
They would have qualified in the event of a draw, but Ferns needed the win and really went for it.
And the red and whites struck gold deep into the seven and a half added minutes when White was red carded for a wild pull on James Tonks, and Ian Byrne landed his ninth point from 60 metres.
He hit one last placed ball from deep inside his own half wide, but there was no time for Glynn-Barntown to mount another attack as their quarter-final bid came to a gut-wrenching end on a sweet, sweet afternoon for Ferns folk.
Ferns St. Aidans: Michael Walsh; Brian O'Neill, John Breen, Declan Byrne; James Tonks, Conor Scallan, Niall Murphy; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Gavin Bailey (0-3); Jonny Dwyer, Ian Byrne (0-9, 3 frees), Brendan Jordan; Christopher O'Connor (1-0), Paul Morris (capt., 0-2), Chris Turner. Sub. - Eoin Murphy (0-1) for O'Connor (46).
Glynn-Barntown: Mark Fanning (0-2 frees); Jack Fenlon, Pádraig Donnelly, Frankie Hynes; David Clarke (0-1), John Leacy, Alan Cowman; Craig Doyle (0-1), Rowan White (0-3); Daire Barron, Brendan Doyle, Michael Doyle (0-3); Gary Moore (capt., 0-6, 4 frees), Michael O'Regan (0-1), Ian Moran (0-1). Sub. - Barry Doyle for Barron (43).
Referee: James Owens (Askamore).
Sept. 22, Quarter-Final: St. Martin’s 2-18, Ferns St. Aidans 2-11
When St. Martin’s needed leadership, Jack O’Connor stepped forward with an inspirational display to guide his 14-man side to a fully-deserved seven point victory over Ferns St. Aidans in this Pettit’s senior hurling championship quarter-final in Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday.
It’s now almost scripted that no matter what the test, St. Martin’s have the squad to deal with it.
They played their way through the group stage, despite their injuries and players abroad, with such confidence and composure that it was always expected they were capable of stepping up another level once the championship hit its defining stage.
However, their supporters must have felt their title was in jeopardy when Jake Firman was red carded following an off-the-ball incident on just 18 minutes.
Although their 14 men dug in, their one point lead did not look sufficient to turn around and play into the breeze, against a Ferns side whose confidence would have been high at that stage.
St. Martin’s may have appeared to be down and out, but on this occasion the side came of age. Inspired by the merciless Jack O’Connor, they went on to produce their finest half hour of hurling yet, even surpassing the many strong displays when annexing the title last year.
Jack O’Connor took hold of this game, realising that it was going to take a special effort to decide how it would pan out, and linking between defence, midfield, and the half-forward line, he provided all the options for his colleagues as they completely outclassed the opposition through the second 30 minutes.
While Ferns had to play second fiddle to his massive display of composure and hurling skill, his cousin Joe O’Connor, playing his first game after a knee ligament injury, stepped up with two magnificent goals, one in each half.
Ferns hurled with confidence in the opening half, so much so that when trailing by just one point at the break, and with an extra man and wind advantage to come, many felt it was their opportunity to cause the first real upset of the championship.
But they were unable to bring their game to the same level as their opponents, as they were outclassed through the second period.
The seven-point deficit was in fact flattering, since their second goal, from an Ian Byrne free in additional time, came with the second last puck.
Jack O’Connor (line ball) and Ian Byrne (free) exchanged opening points, with Mikey Coleman and Christopher O’Connor (free) going on to do likewise.
The opening goal arrived after eight minutes. Ferns showed some fine approach play, before Christopher O’Connor got the ball across the face of goal for Eoin Murphy to apply the finishing touch at the second attempt, leaving his side leading by 1-2 to 0-2.
Massive Jack O’Connor pointed frees followed, while Paul Morris got in on the scoring act with two fine points from acute angles.
An excellent Barry O’Connor point left the minimum separating the sides approaching the interval, while two minutes into additional time, St. Martin’s received a crucial break.
A long ball out of defence broke into the path of Joe O’Connor who kept his composure on a fine run forward, only to see his initial shot blocked by goalkeeper Michael Walsh, but he followed through to send the rebound to the net.
Ian Byrne closed out the first half scoring with a pointed 65, leaving St. Martin’s with the minimum lead (1-8 to 1-7) at the interval.
One expected a Ferns surge on the resumption, particularly after an Ian Byrne pointed free from 50 metres had the sides level within three minutes of the restart.
But this failed to materialise, as St. Martin’s seemed determined to put the outcome beyond doubt, as their 14-man side took the game to another level.
Jack O’Connor was winning lots of possession, but more importantly, he was utilising this ball to his side’s advantage, and by the end of the third quarter they led by 1-12 to 1-9, with Ferns clearly struggling.
They had extended that lead to 1-16 to 1-10 with seven minutes remaining, when the best score of the game arrived.
St. Martin’s linked the ball quickly out of defence down the left flank on the open terrace side, leaving substitute Conor Coleman to send a delightful ball across the goal where he picked out Joe O’Connor, who flashed a great shot to the net from 14 metres.
That put the issue beyond doubt, with the holders now leading by 2-16 to 1-10.
The final play as a result was totally academic with the Ferns goal, an Ian Byrne free, coming in additional time, as the losers were left shell-shocked such was the ferocity of that second half Martin’s effort.
Ferns St. Aidans: Michael Walsh; Conor Scallan, John Breen, Declan Byrne; James Tonks, Gavin Bailey, Brian O’Neill; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Niall Murphy; Jonny Dwyer (0-2), Ian Byrne (1-3, 1-2 frees, 0-1 ‘65’), Eoin Murphy (1-1); Christopher O’Connor (0-1 free), Chris Turner, Paul Morris (0-3). Subs: James Lawlor for T. Dwyer (temp., 9-12); Ciarán Roberts for O’Neill (54); Lawlor for J. Dwyer (55).
St. Martin’s: Luke White; Conor Firman, Patrick O’Connor, Willie Devereux; Daithi Waters, Aaron Maddock, Paudie Kelly (0-1); Mark Maloney (0-1), Joe O’Connor (2-2); Ben Maddock (0-1), Jack O’Connor (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 line ball), Barry O’Connor (0-1); Mikey Coleman (0-1), Ciarán Lyng (0-2, 0-1 free), Jake Firman. Subs: Harry O’Connor (0-1) for B. Maddock (35); Conor Coleman for M. Coleman (48); Darren Codd for B. O’Connor (55); Jack Devereux for Joe O’Connor (58); Barry O’Connor for A. Maddock (inj., 58).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James’s)
