Junior B Football Championship 2021
October 30, Gorey District Final: Ferns St. Aidans 0-10, St. Patrick’s (Ballyoughter) 0-6
A dominant second period saw Ferns St. Aidans claim the honours in the Enniscorthy Farm Systems Gorey District Junior ‘B’ football championship final, as they saw off a stubborn St. Patrick’s side in dreary conditions on their home pitch on Saturday.
While they led from the beginning and always looked the more competent side, the eventual winners were never beyond reach of their opponents, and it wasn’t until the final minutes of the game when they pulled clear and looked sure of victory.
In wet and windy conditions, it was difficult for either side to put any kind of fine touch on proceedings, but Ferns’ class shone through near the end with some wonderfully taken scores as they ran out fully deserving winners.
Jason Maguire was one that stood out, with the Ferns centre-forward to the fore in the opening exchanges as he accounted for the first three scores.
St. Patrick’s were not faring as well, but a fine effort from Tommy Dunne along with efforts from Damien Grannell and Brian Cadigan saw the sides level at the water break.
Dunne soon chipped in another spectacular effort before Maguire replied with two, and Benny Jordan added to the tally to give the home side a two-point lead at the break.
With the wind now at their backs, Ferns dominated the third quarter but were limited to just two points. Conor Morris and Kyle Byrne were marshalling the St. Patrick’s defence, but a special mention must go to the goalkeeper, Enda Murphy, who pulled off three unbelievable saves to keep the visitors in with a shout.
St. Patrick’s showed plenty of intent after the water break, and two frees from Richie Flood made for a tense finish.
But, showing all his experience, Jonny Dwyer popped up with two excellently taken points near the end to cement a deserved District title for the home side.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; David Nolan, Patrick O’Hagan, Patrick Nolan; Barry Murphy, Ciarán Roberts, Pádraig Kinsella; Pádraig Walsh, Peter O’Toole; Conor Jordan, Jason Maguire (0-6, 3 frees), Byron Jordan; Benny Jordan (0-1), Tomás Hawkins (0-1), Jonny Dwyer (0-2). Subs. - Patrick Codd for Kinsella (41), Shane Breen for Murphy (46), Brian O’Neill for Byron Jordan (46), Anthony Dwyer for Hawkins (50).
St. Patrick’s: Enda Murphy; Liam Fitzpatrick, Kyle Byrne, Niall O’Leary; Adam Goff, Parish Flynn, Max Farrell-McCabe; Richie Flood (0-2 frees), Tommy Dunne (0-2); Ian Maguire, John Martin, Seán Redmond; Andrew Doyle, Damien Grannell (0-1), Brian Cadigan (0-1). Subs. - Conor Morris for Flynn (HT), Marcus Jordan for Goff (41), Shane Finn for Farrell-McCabe (42), John Cousins for Cadigan (53).
Referee: Shane Quinn (Réalt na Mara).
November 13, county quarter-final: Ferns St. Aidans 3-13, Taghmon/Camross 2-5
A depleted Taghmon-Camross were no match for Ferns St. Aidans in the Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior ‘B’ football championship quarter-final in Hollymount on Saturday.
The Gorey District champions never trailed in the 60 minutes, building an advantage up the hill in the first-half before edging their way clear after the break.
Taghmon-Camross did add a couple of injury-time goals to make the scoreline a little closer, but it was all too little, too late.
Ferns are a lively prospect in the race for this title, as they have difference-makers around the park but also have capable players on the bench. It’s not easy to have depth at this stage of the year, but that added pep from the sidelines could be the difference in the next couple of weeks.
Someone on the Taghmon-Camross line opined that Ferns only had one lad able to score after Tomás Hawkins kicked the opening pair of points and a couple more shots drifted wide. Probably not knowing much about Jason Maguire before the game, he was about to get an introduction.
Maguire was in majestic form for his side, kicking 3-4 with both goals and points taken with the quality of someone with talents beyond Junior ‘B’. Taghmon-Camross might not have been aware of his capabilities beforehand, but it was his showing they were lamenting as full-time approached.
Very few from the losing camp would have thought they had much of a chance going into the game, but they were tactically good. They set up to frustrate their opponents as best they could, while making sure they maintained a presence at the other end.
Despite a slow start, it went as well as could be expected in the first period. Well, at least until the final kick of the half.
After Hawkins’ opening two points, which sandwiched an Eoin Doyle free at the other end, Maguire got his tally going with a free.
Jonny Dwyer made it 0-4 to 0-1 at the water break, and it was 0-5 to 0-2 after Maguire and Páuric O’Gorman exchanged frees. Two more points in quick succession, from O’Gorman and Ryan Cashin, closed the gap to one but Pádraig Walsh responded.
That’s the way it looked to be heading in at the interval, but the last attack of the period changed the whole feel of the game.
Taghmon-Camross were lamenting not getting a free at the other end when Ferns broke. Hawkins and Brian O’Neill were involved but it was Maguire’s finish, in off the bar, that was beautifully clinical.
Initially there was a similar feel to the early stages of the second-half, but six minutes in Shane Breen was denied from close range and Maguire fired home the rebound.
Patrick O’Hagan pointed and Maguire completed his hat-trick before the water break from the penalty spot after Hawkins was fouled.
The game was effectively over at 3-7 to 0-4, but Ferns continued to push home their superiority. Conor Jordan pointed twice and Patrick Codd flighted over before Conor McGrath got the first Taghmon-Camross score of the half in the 58th minute.
Maguire brought his tally to 3-4 with a couple of points and Walsh registered as Ferns looked to be heading for a clean sheet.
However, in added-time the dangerous Garvan Kelly punched home from Eoin Doyle’s long ball, and Cashin slotted home a penalty a minute later to decrease the winners’ margin of victory to eleven.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; David Murphy, Patrick O’Hagan (0-1), Pat Nolan; Barry Murphy, Jonny Dwyer (0-1), Brian O’Neill; Peter O’Toole, Pádraig Walsh (0-2); Byron Jordan, Jason Maguire (3-4, 0-3 frees, 1-0 pen.), Conor Jordan (0-2); Benny Jordan, Tomás Hawkins (0-2), Shane Breen. Subs. - Patrick Codd (0-1) for Hawkins (46), Anthony Dwyer for D. Murphy (46), Joe Fortune for Benny Jordan (53), Paul Lancaster for B. Murphy (54), Shane Stafford for J. Dwyer (57).
Taghmon-Camross: Paddy Nolan; James Carroll, Jack Kelly, David Kelly; Darragh Winters, Robert Nolan, Mark O’Gorman; Pete Murphy, Eoin Doyle (0-1 free); Ryan Cashin (1-1, 1-0 pen.), Páuric O’Gorman (0-2 frees), Cormac McGrath (0-1); T.J. Codd, Lloyd Colfer, Michael O’Gorman. Subs. - Garvan Kelly (1-0) for M. O’Gorman (41), O’Gorman for Codd (60).
Referee: Philip Murphy (Faythe Harriers).
November 20, county semi-final: Ferns St. Aidans 3-10, Crossabeg/Ballymurn 1-10
A late goal from corner-back David Murphy secured victory for Ferns St. Aidans, overcoming a stern challenge from Crossabeg-Ballymurn in this largely entertaining Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior ‘B’ football championship semi-final in Hollymount on Saturday.
While the eventual winners led for the majority of proceedings, they were desperately defending a three-point lead in the closing stages, having been reduced to 14 men after the aforementioned Murphy was sin-binned.
Crossabeg-Ballymurn mounted a huge challenge at this juncture but were denied on several occasions by a tight-knit Ferns St. Aidan’s defence who were holding on for dear life.
But when Nolan was reintroduced to the fray, he made up for his absence immediately, racing onto the end of sweeping move to finish to the net with aplomb, leaving no doubt as to who the winners would be.
Ferns St. Aidans opened the scoring with a wonderful solo effort from Jonny Dwyer, but they soon found themselves trailing as Crossabeg-Ballymurn replied with a goal from Robert Byrne and points from Joe Kelly, plus two excellent efforts from Evan Kinlough.
Dwyer replied with another composed strike which seemed to rally the charges as Shane Breen pulled them back level with a goal midway through the half.
Soon after, a telling moment arrived when Tomás Hawkins placed an inch-perfect pass to Benny Jordan who showed poise to place the ball in the bottom corner of the net, giving his side a three-point lead at the break. Ferns now had the momentum and they dominated proceedings in the third quarter, hitting three unanswered scores from the ever-accurate Jason Maguire.
However, they were soon on the back foot as David Murphy picked up a black card with ten minutes remaining which left his side vulnerable. A huge rally from Crossabeg-Ballymurn saw them strike three unanswered points from Joe Kelly before they began to press for an equalising goal.
They put their opponents under huge pressure, but they were ultimately denied any inroads and Nolan’s goal at the end left them no with way back, setting Ferns St. Aidans up to face St. James’s (Ramsgrange) in the final.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; David Murphy (1-0), Paddy O’Hagan, Patrick Nolan; Brian O’Neill, Jonny Dwyer (0-2), Barry Murphy; Pádraig Walsh, Peter O’Toole; Byron Jordan, Jason Maguire (0-6, 4 frees), Conor Jordan (0-1); Benny Jordan (1-0), Tomás Hawkins, Shane Breen (1-0). Subs. - Ciarán Roberts for Murphy (HT), Paddy Codd (0-1) for Breen (44), Anthony Dwyer for O’Neill (45), Pádraig Kinsella for Byron Jordan (52). Sin-bin: David Murphy (50).
Crossabeg-Ballymurn: James White; Mick Cullen, Mick Eviston, Conor Murphy; Aaron Cummins, Josh Waldron (0-1), Conor Bernard; Conor Shovlin (0-1), Conor Gormley; Cathal Byrne, Robert Byrne (1-0), Joe Kelly (0-4, 2 frees); Evan Kinlough (0-4, 3 frees), Luke Lacey, Vinny Sullivan. Subs. - David Scallan for Cullen, inj. (20), Barry Coughlan for Sullivan (35), Lorcan Lacey for Luke Lacey (56), Emmet Kehoe for C. Byrne (58).
Referee: Ian Plunkett (Marshalstown-Castledockrell).
November 26, County Final: Ferns St. Aidans 0-7, St. James's (Ramsgrange) 1-3
The sweet-striking left foot of centre-forward Jason Maguire got Ferns St. Aidans over the line in Baltic conditions in St. Patrick’s Park on Friday, with his five-point haul inspiring the side to a narrow victory over St. James’s and a first-ever Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior ‘B’ football championship title.
The attack leader had already accounted for four points from frees when he added the winner in the 57th minute. Prominent centre-back Jonny Dwyer picked him out with an astute pass, and Maguire didn’t hesitate before planting the ball over the bar to push Ferns into a one-point lead.
After that it was frantic stuff as the Ramsgrange men tried their best to force extra-time, with Dwyer making one crucial interception before Liam Murphy kicked the last of four wides for the losers.
Experienced substitute Patrick Codd landed an effort for Ferns short into the arms of goalkeeper Willie Murphy, and St. James’s eventually managed to work the ball into Michael O’Grady in the right corner.
However, he was dispossessed, and seconds later the final whistle brought joy and relief in equal measure to the Ferns St. Aidans contingent as they joined the roll of honour at this level for the first time.
Both teams deserve full credit for doing their very best on a horrible night for football. Thankfully, there was no rain to contend with, but the cold was almost unbearable and the strong, swirling wind turned the on-field action into a pure lottery at times.
The New Ross District champions won the toss and opted to play into the dressing-room end first, taking whatever advantage that was available weather-wise in the process.
However, they struggled to lay a hand on the ball in the early stages, with wise Ferns heads such as Jonny Dwyer, Benny Jordan and Ciarán Roberts looking comfortable in possession around the middle third.
Eventually the siege was lifted, and a foul on Michael O’Grady led to free-taker Darragh McPhillips picking off the first score of the game for the south county side in the seventh minute.
Ferns had racked up their three first-half wides (and would add a similar amount after the interval) before they levelled in the 17th minute, directly before the water break.
A foul on Conor Jordan presented Jason Maguire with the first opportunity to showcase his kicking ability off the ground with his left peg, and he made no mistake.
Ferns resumed in the same fashion, with Maguire giving them the lead after Tomás Hawkins was impeded before the opening score from play arrived in the 21st minute.
Hawkins gave a handpass to Ciarán ‘Bertie’ Roberts, who cut infield from the right to a central position before picking off a neat point with his left foot (0-3 to 0-1).
Given the prevalence of the wind, it was no surprise that one strong gust contributed to St. James’s regaining the advantage against the run of play in the 27th minute.
Wing-back Josh White-Keating delivered the ball in from the right wing, and its flight seemed to catch out veteran netminder Tony Cleere and ended in the net, with Andy Walsh providing a distraction.
Although Maguire equalised from his third free after another foul on the experienced Hawkins, Ramsgrange went on to lead by 1-2 to 0-4 at half-time after Alan Walsh picked out James Walsh for a point in the 30th minute.
The losers’ tall centre-back, Alfie Eite, had caught a Jason Maguire ’45 under his own crossbar just before his side’s goal, and he did likewise from a free in the first attack of note in the second period.
Alan Walsh stretched the lead to 1-3 to 0-4 in the 37th minute, but St. James’s were destined not to score again.
Ferns had the gap reduced to the minimum once more by the last water break, with Tomás Hawkins getting on the end of a flowing move that involved Shane Breen and Brian O’Neill in the 47th minute.
The equaliser arrived on the restart from Jason Maguire, after a foul on Benny Jordan, and a lengthy barren period followed before the winning score arrived.
In that spell, Maguire missed a free and both sides kicked short while attempting to split the posts, but the eight scoreless minutes were eventually ended by the centre-forward’s winner.
With the few neutrals in attendance praying that extra-time wouldn’t be needed, they were left relieved at the finish as Ferns held on to secure victory by the narrowest of margins and the warmth of home beckoned.
It was only their second appearance in this final, having lost the 1978 decider to HWH-Bunclody at the same venue on a 2-5 to nil scoreline.
As for the Jimmies, this grade hasn’t been kind to them since this was their fourth defeat at this stage, having previously lost in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2015.
Finally, a word of praise for rookie referee Richard Farrell on his first big assignment. This was my first time to see the Castletown footballer in action with the whistle, and I was suitably impressed. He is definitely one for the future and should be seen in higher grades as the years progress.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; David Murphy, Patrick O’Hagan, Pat Nolan (capt.); Ciarán Roberts (0-1), Jonny Dwyer, Brian O’Neill; Peter O’Toole, Pádraig Walsh; Conor Jordan, Jason Maguire (0-5, 4 frees), Byron Jordan; Shane Breen, Tomás Hawkins (0-1), Benny Jordan. Subs. – Pádraig Kinsella for Byron Jordan (39), Patrick Codd for Walsh (47), Barry Murphy for Roberts (57), also Anthony Dwyer, Paul Lancaster, Shane Stafford, Joe Fortune, Seán Walsh, Jack O’Hagan, Barry Breen, Mylie Cash.
St. James’s: Willie Murphy; Conor Crosbie, Brian Kennedy (capt.), Joe Kehoe; Josh White-Keating (1-0), Alfie Eite, Des Foley; Colum Fitzgerald, Liam Murphy; Alan Walsh (0-1), James Fitzgerald, Andy Walsh; Darragh McPhillips (0-1 free), James Walsh (0-1), Michael O’Grady. Subs. – Rory Lynch for Foley (54), Keelan Foley for Andy Walsh (60+2), also Peadar O’Connor, James Nolan, Dan Behan, Ben McPhillips, Shane Dunne, Mark Whitty.
Referee: Richard Farrell (Castletown).
A dominant second period saw Ferns St. Aidans claim the honours in the Enniscorthy Farm Systems Gorey District Junior ‘B’ football championship final, as they saw off a stubborn St. Patrick’s side in dreary conditions on their home pitch on Saturday.
While they led from the beginning and always looked the more competent side, the eventual winners were never beyond reach of their opponents, and it wasn’t until the final minutes of the game when they pulled clear and looked sure of victory.
In wet and windy conditions, it was difficult for either side to put any kind of fine touch on proceedings, but Ferns’ class shone through near the end with some wonderfully taken scores as they ran out fully deserving winners.
Jason Maguire was one that stood out, with the Ferns centre-forward to the fore in the opening exchanges as he accounted for the first three scores.
St. Patrick’s were not faring as well, but a fine effort from Tommy Dunne along with efforts from Damien Grannell and Brian Cadigan saw the sides level at the water break.
Dunne soon chipped in another spectacular effort before Maguire replied with two, and Benny Jordan added to the tally to give the home side a two-point lead at the break.
With the wind now at their backs, Ferns dominated the third quarter but were limited to just two points. Conor Morris and Kyle Byrne were marshalling the St. Patrick’s defence, but a special mention must go to the goalkeeper, Enda Murphy, who pulled off three unbelievable saves to keep the visitors in with a shout.
St. Patrick’s showed plenty of intent after the water break, and two frees from Richie Flood made for a tense finish.
But, showing all his experience, Jonny Dwyer popped up with two excellently taken points near the end to cement a deserved District title for the home side.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; David Nolan, Patrick O’Hagan, Patrick Nolan; Barry Murphy, Ciarán Roberts, Pádraig Kinsella; Pádraig Walsh, Peter O’Toole; Conor Jordan, Jason Maguire (0-6, 3 frees), Byron Jordan; Benny Jordan (0-1), Tomás Hawkins (0-1), Jonny Dwyer (0-2). Subs. - Patrick Codd for Kinsella (41), Shane Breen for Murphy (46), Brian O’Neill for Byron Jordan (46), Anthony Dwyer for Hawkins (50).
St. Patrick’s: Enda Murphy; Liam Fitzpatrick, Kyle Byrne, Niall O’Leary; Adam Goff, Parish Flynn, Max Farrell-McCabe; Richie Flood (0-2 frees), Tommy Dunne (0-2); Ian Maguire, John Martin, Seán Redmond; Andrew Doyle, Damien Grannell (0-1), Brian Cadigan (0-1). Subs. - Conor Morris for Flynn (HT), Marcus Jordan for Goff (41), Shane Finn for Farrell-McCabe (42), John Cousins for Cadigan (53).
Referee: Shane Quinn (Réalt na Mara).
November 13, county quarter-final: Ferns St. Aidans 3-13, Taghmon/Camross 2-5
A depleted Taghmon-Camross were no match for Ferns St. Aidans in the Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior ‘B’ football championship quarter-final in Hollymount on Saturday.
The Gorey District champions never trailed in the 60 minutes, building an advantage up the hill in the first-half before edging their way clear after the break.
Taghmon-Camross did add a couple of injury-time goals to make the scoreline a little closer, but it was all too little, too late.
Ferns are a lively prospect in the race for this title, as they have difference-makers around the park but also have capable players on the bench. It’s not easy to have depth at this stage of the year, but that added pep from the sidelines could be the difference in the next couple of weeks.
Someone on the Taghmon-Camross line opined that Ferns only had one lad able to score after Tomás Hawkins kicked the opening pair of points and a couple more shots drifted wide. Probably not knowing much about Jason Maguire before the game, he was about to get an introduction.
Maguire was in majestic form for his side, kicking 3-4 with both goals and points taken with the quality of someone with talents beyond Junior ‘B’. Taghmon-Camross might not have been aware of his capabilities beforehand, but it was his showing they were lamenting as full-time approached.
Very few from the losing camp would have thought they had much of a chance going into the game, but they were tactically good. They set up to frustrate their opponents as best they could, while making sure they maintained a presence at the other end.
Despite a slow start, it went as well as could be expected in the first period. Well, at least until the final kick of the half.
After Hawkins’ opening two points, which sandwiched an Eoin Doyle free at the other end, Maguire got his tally going with a free.
Jonny Dwyer made it 0-4 to 0-1 at the water break, and it was 0-5 to 0-2 after Maguire and Páuric O’Gorman exchanged frees. Two more points in quick succession, from O’Gorman and Ryan Cashin, closed the gap to one but Pádraig Walsh responded.
That’s the way it looked to be heading in at the interval, but the last attack of the period changed the whole feel of the game.
Taghmon-Camross were lamenting not getting a free at the other end when Ferns broke. Hawkins and Brian O’Neill were involved but it was Maguire’s finish, in off the bar, that was beautifully clinical.
Initially there was a similar feel to the early stages of the second-half, but six minutes in Shane Breen was denied from close range and Maguire fired home the rebound.
Patrick O’Hagan pointed and Maguire completed his hat-trick before the water break from the penalty spot after Hawkins was fouled.
The game was effectively over at 3-7 to 0-4, but Ferns continued to push home their superiority. Conor Jordan pointed twice and Patrick Codd flighted over before Conor McGrath got the first Taghmon-Camross score of the half in the 58th minute.
Maguire brought his tally to 3-4 with a couple of points and Walsh registered as Ferns looked to be heading for a clean sheet.
However, in added-time the dangerous Garvan Kelly punched home from Eoin Doyle’s long ball, and Cashin slotted home a penalty a minute later to decrease the winners’ margin of victory to eleven.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; David Murphy, Patrick O’Hagan (0-1), Pat Nolan; Barry Murphy, Jonny Dwyer (0-1), Brian O’Neill; Peter O’Toole, Pádraig Walsh (0-2); Byron Jordan, Jason Maguire (3-4, 0-3 frees, 1-0 pen.), Conor Jordan (0-2); Benny Jordan, Tomás Hawkins (0-2), Shane Breen. Subs. - Patrick Codd (0-1) for Hawkins (46), Anthony Dwyer for D. Murphy (46), Joe Fortune for Benny Jordan (53), Paul Lancaster for B. Murphy (54), Shane Stafford for J. Dwyer (57).
Taghmon-Camross: Paddy Nolan; James Carroll, Jack Kelly, David Kelly; Darragh Winters, Robert Nolan, Mark O’Gorman; Pete Murphy, Eoin Doyle (0-1 free); Ryan Cashin (1-1, 1-0 pen.), Páuric O’Gorman (0-2 frees), Cormac McGrath (0-1); T.J. Codd, Lloyd Colfer, Michael O’Gorman. Subs. - Garvan Kelly (1-0) for M. O’Gorman (41), O’Gorman for Codd (60).
Referee: Philip Murphy (Faythe Harriers).
November 20, county semi-final: Ferns St. Aidans 3-10, Crossabeg/Ballymurn 1-10
A late goal from corner-back David Murphy secured victory for Ferns St. Aidans, overcoming a stern challenge from Crossabeg-Ballymurn in this largely entertaining Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior ‘B’ football championship semi-final in Hollymount on Saturday.
While the eventual winners led for the majority of proceedings, they were desperately defending a three-point lead in the closing stages, having been reduced to 14 men after the aforementioned Murphy was sin-binned.
Crossabeg-Ballymurn mounted a huge challenge at this juncture but were denied on several occasions by a tight-knit Ferns St. Aidan’s defence who were holding on for dear life.
But when Nolan was reintroduced to the fray, he made up for his absence immediately, racing onto the end of sweeping move to finish to the net with aplomb, leaving no doubt as to who the winners would be.
Ferns St. Aidans opened the scoring with a wonderful solo effort from Jonny Dwyer, but they soon found themselves trailing as Crossabeg-Ballymurn replied with a goal from Robert Byrne and points from Joe Kelly, plus two excellent efforts from Evan Kinlough.
Dwyer replied with another composed strike which seemed to rally the charges as Shane Breen pulled them back level with a goal midway through the half.
Soon after, a telling moment arrived when Tomás Hawkins placed an inch-perfect pass to Benny Jordan who showed poise to place the ball in the bottom corner of the net, giving his side a three-point lead at the break. Ferns now had the momentum and they dominated proceedings in the third quarter, hitting three unanswered scores from the ever-accurate Jason Maguire.
However, they were soon on the back foot as David Murphy picked up a black card with ten minutes remaining which left his side vulnerable. A huge rally from Crossabeg-Ballymurn saw them strike three unanswered points from Joe Kelly before they began to press for an equalising goal.
They put their opponents under huge pressure, but they were ultimately denied any inroads and Nolan’s goal at the end left them no with way back, setting Ferns St. Aidans up to face St. James’s (Ramsgrange) in the final.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; David Murphy (1-0), Paddy O’Hagan, Patrick Nolan; Brian O’Neill, Jonny Dwyer (0-2), Barry Murphy; Pádraig Walsh, Peter O’Toole; Byron Jordan, Jason Maguire (0-6, 4 frees), Conor Jordan (0-1); Benny Jordan (1-0), Tomás Hawkins, Shane Breen (1-0). Subs. - Ciarán Roberts for Murphy (HT), Paddy Codd (0-1) for Breen (44), Anthony Dwyer for O’Neill (45), Pádraig Kinsella for Byron Jordan (52). Sin-bin: David Murphy (50).
Crossabeg-Ballymurn: James White; Mick Cullen, Mick Eviston, Conor Murphy; Aaron Cummins, Josh Waldron (0-1), Conor Bernard; Conor Shovlin (0-1), Conor Gormley; Cathal Byrne, Robert Byrne (1-0), Joe Kelly (0-4, 2 frees); Evan Kinlough (0-4, 3 frees), Luke Lacey, Vinny Sullivan. Subs. - David Scallan for Cullen, inj. (20), Barry Coughlan for Sullivan (35), Lorcan Lacey for Luke Lacey (56), Emmet Kehoe for C. Byrne (58).
Referee: Ian Plunkett (Marshalstown-Castledockrell).
November 26, County Final: Ferns St. Aidans 0-7, St. James's (Ramsgrange) 1-3
The sweet-striking left foot of centre-forward Jason Maguire got Ferns St. Aidans over the line in Baltic conditions in St. Patrick’s Park on Friday, with his five-point haul inspiring the side to a narrow victory over St. James’s and a first-ever Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior ‘B’ football championship title.
The attack leader had already accounted for four points from frees when he added the winner in the 57th minute. Prominent centre-back Jonny Dwyer picked him out with an astute pass, and Maguire didn’t hesitate before planting the ball over the bar to push Ferns into a one-point lead.
After that it was frantic stuff as the Ramsgrange men tried their best to force extra-time, with Dwyer making one crucial interception before Liam Murphy kicked the last of four wides for the losers.
Experienced substitute Patrick Codd landed an effort for Ferns short into the arms of goalkeeper Willie Murphy, and St. James’s eventually managed to work the ball into Michael O’Grady in the right corner.
However, he was dispossessed, and seconds later the final whistle brought joy and relief in equal measure to the Ferns St. Aidans contingent as they joined the roll of honour at this level for the first time.
Both teams deserve full credit for doing their very best on a horrible night for football. Thankfully, there was no rain to contend with, but the cold was almost unbearable and the strong, swirling wind turned the on-field action into a pure lottery at times.
The New Ross District champions won the toss and opted to play into the dressing-room end first, taking whatever advantage that was available weather-wise in the process.
However, they struggled to lay a hand on the ball in the early stages, with wise Ferns heads such as Jonny Dwyer, Benny Jordan and Ciarán Roberts looking comfortable in possession around the middle third.
Eventually the siege was lifted, and a foul on Michael O’Grady led to free-taker Darragh McPhillips picking off the first score of the game for the south county side in the seventh minute.
Ferns had racked up their three first-half wides (and would add a similar amount after the interval) before they levelled in the 17th minute, directly before the water break.
A foul on Conor Jordan presented Jason Maguire with the first opportunity to showcase his kicking ability off the ground with his left peg, and he made no mistake.
Ferns resumed in the same fashion, with Maguire giving them the lead after Tomás Hawkins was impeded before the opening score from play arrived in the 21st minute.
Hawkins gave a handpass to Ciarán ‘Bertie’ Roberts, who cut infield from the right to a central position before picking off a neat point with his left foot (0-3 to 0-1).
Given the prevalence of the wind, it was no surprise that one strong gust contributed to St. James’s regaining the advantage against the run of play in the 27th minute.
Wing-back Josh White-Keating delivered the ball in from the right wing, and its flight seemed to catch out veteran netminder Tony Cleere and ended in the net, with Andy Walsh providing a distraction.
Although Maguire equalised from his third free after another foul on the experienced Hawkins, Ramsgrange went on to lead by 1-2 to 0-4 at half-time after Alan Walsh picked out James Walsh for a point in the 30th minute.
The losers’ tall centre-back, Alfie Eite, had caught a Jason Maguire ’45 under his own crossbar just before his side’s goal, and he did likewise from a free in the first attack of note in the second period.
Alan Walsh stretched the lead to 1-3 to 0-4 in the 37th minute, but St. James’s were destined not to score again.
Ferns had the gap reduced to the minimum once more by the last water break, with Tomás Hawkins getting on the end of a flowing move that involved Shane Breen and Brian O’Neill in the 47th minute.
The equaliser arrived on the restart from Jason Maguire, after a foul on Benny Jordan, and a lengthy barren period followed before the winning score arrived.
In that spell, Maguire missed a free and both sides kicked short while attempting to split the posts, but the eight scoreless minutes were eventually ended by the centre-forward’s winner.
With the few neutrals in attendance praying that extra-time wouldn’t be needed, they were left relieved at the finish as Ferns held on to secure victory by the narrowest of margins and the warmth of home beckoned.
It was only their second appearance in this final, having lost the 1978 decider to HWH-Bunclody at the same venue on a 2-5 to nil scoreline.
As for the Jimmies, this grade hasn’t been kind to them since this was their fourth defeat at this stage, having previously lost in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2015.
Finally, a word of praise for rookie referee Richard Farrell on his first big assignment. This was my first time to see the Castletown footballer in action with the whistle, and I was suitably impressed. He is definitely one for the future and should be seen in higher grades as the years progress.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; David Murphy, Patrick O’Hagan, Pat Nolan (capt.); Ciarán Roberts (0-1), Jonny Dwyer, Brian O’Neill; Peter O’Toole, Pádraig Walsh; Conor Jordan, Jason Maguire (0-5, 4 frees), Byron Jordan; Shane Breen, Tomás Hawkins (0-1), Benny Jordan. Subs. – Pádraig Kinsella for Byron Jordan (39), Patrick Codd for Walsh (47), Barry Murphy for Roberts (57), also Anthony Dwyer, Paul Lancaster, Shane Stafford, Joe Fortune, Seán Walsh, Jack O’Hagan, Barry Breen, Mylie Cash.
St. James’s: Willie Murphy; Conor Crosbie, Brian Kennedy (capt.), Joe Kehoe; Josh White-Keating (1-0), Alfie Eite, Des Foley; Colum Fitzgerald, Liam Murphy; Alan Walsh (0-1), James Fitzgerald, Andy Walsh; Darragh McPhillips (0-1 free), James Walsh (0-1), Michael O’Grady. Subs. – Rory Lynch for Foley (54), Keelan Foley for Andy Walsh (60+2), also Peadar O’Connor, James Nolan, Dan Behan, Ben McPhillips, Shane Dunne, Mark Whitty.
Referee: Richard Farrell (Castletown).