Junior A Football Championship 2024
- No reports of group games carried in local press
October 11, quarter-final: Ferns St. Aidans 1-4, St. Joseph’s 0-5
FERNS ST. Aidans won a pulsating battle in the quarter-final of the Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior 'A' football championship at a bitterly cold Halo Tiles Centre of Excellence on Friday.
The scoreline doesn't do this game justice, as it had a bit of everything. Above all, it was hugely competitive from start to finish.
In terms of intensity, it was high end from first whistle to last. As for the average distance covered by each player, it would make for interesting reading if both teams were using GPS tracking systems.
It always feels like the game is played at a faster pace when it's under floodlights and there's dew on the grass. It certainly was the case for this game.
In the end, Ferns St. Aidans just about did enough to secure their place in the last four. They were pushed all the way by a St. Joseph's side who might feel they could have played better, but certainly couldn't be faulted for effort.
The tackling by Adrian Flynn's side was strong and relentless. It yielded frees and turnovers in equal measure. After a difficult number of years, they clearly are laying good foundations.
The sides were equal in almost every department. But in such low-scoring encounters, a goal is going to make all the difference.
St. Joseph's went toe to toe with Patrick Breen's side from first whistle to last, but the goal put four points between the teams after nine minutes.
And while the gap was reduced to one, the fact that they never got on level terms was a psychological barrier in itself.
From the first whistle, Ferns St. Aidans went full press for the kick-outs, with goalkeeper Conor Swaine taking up a position near midfield on a number of occasions.
The game was seven minutes old before the first score arrived. After initial build-up play involving John Breen and Peter Nolan, Willie Bolger collected and turned before unleashing a shot that struck the crossbar on its way over the bar.
Two minutes later, Ferns St. Aidans got the game's only goal. Tomás Hawkins delivered a high ball in and, with Kyle Turner failing to gather it, Gavin Collier was ready to pounce.
Although they were full of honest endeavour, it was a full 14 minutes before St. Joseph's opened their account, with Darragh Fitzpatrick collecting a Josh Kavanagh kick-pass before slotting over.
Peter Nolan soon replied with a free following a foul on Hawkins, before Gary Byrne popped over a neat score on the loop, after Cian Carty and Jason Murphy were involved in the initial build-up.
Carty drove over a free nine minutes later, with the hard work of Josh Kavanagh again forcing a turnover that led to the free.
Ferns St. Aidans failed to capitalise from a free soon after. In what was a decent period for the Wexford town side, they simply didn't get enough scores.
Just before half-time, Carty broke through a gap but he pulled his effort for a goal to the left and wide.
Trailing by 1-2 to 0-3 at the interval, an effort from Decky Downes just crept over on 35 minutes.
In the next ten minutes, possession was won and lost by both sides, owing to the relentless workrate of players. During this period Nolan and Carty exchanged frees, and the latter in the 44th minute would amazingly prove to be his side's last score of the game.
Both sides missed frees before the game entered the final ten minutes. With 52 minutes on the clock, goalkeeper Conor Swaine came forward to take a free off the ground, following a foul on Bolger.
And though his effort didn't have the required distance, substitute Seán Walsh reacted to the break and peeled away from the onrushing defenders to steer over a crucial point.
Ferns St. Aidans led by two with eight minutes of normal time remaining. They recycled possession well during this period.
It looked like they had absorbed everything the Joseph's had thrown at them, and had just enough in reserve to see out the game, but there was almost a late twist. The Joseph's attacked in search of a game-rescuing score.
Substitute Shane Dempsey sent the ball across from the left and it was gathered by Jason Murphy. His shot looked to be heading for goal, but somehow both netminder Conor Swaine and full-back Paddy O'Hagan managed to force the ball out for a '45 between them.
Ferns St. Aidans were full value for their victory, but the Joseph's came agonisingly close. It was a thoroughly enjoyable contest.
Ferns St. Aidans: Conor Swaine; Charlie Murphy, Paddy O'Hagan, Pat Nolan; Brian O'Neill, James Tonks, Peter Shannon; John Breen, Brian Stafford; Shane Stafford, Peter Nolan (0-2 frees), Gavin Collier (1-0); Patrick O'Toole, Tomás Hawkins, Willie Bolger (0-1). Subs. - Tommy Dwyer for O'Toole (26), Gavin Bailey for Collier (HT), Conor Kehoe for S. Stafford (43), Seán Walsh (0-1) for Murphy (45), Christopher O'Connor for Hawkins (53).
St. Joseph's: Kyle Turner; Josh Guerrine, Wayne Carty, Paddy Harnett; Liam Godkin, Ryan Gavin, Mark Shortall; Cian Carty (0-2 frees), Josh Kavanagh; Sky Moroney, Decky Downes (0-1), Darragh Fitzpatrick (0-1); Gary Byrne (0-1), Jason Murphy, Dean Hillis. Subs. - Aaron Smith for Guerrine, inj. (36), Shane Dempsey for Byrne (46), Jim Berry for Harnett (48), Chris Curran for Godkin (56).
Referee: John Tobin (Geraldine O'Hanrahans).
October 25, semi-final: Marshalstown-Castledockrell 0-13, Ferns St. Aidans 2-4
Marshalstown-Castledockrell squeezed past the second-string of Ferns St. Aidans in an at times fractious semi-final at the floodlit Halo Tiles Centre of Excellence, in Ferns, on Friday to stand on the brink of a first Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior 'A' football championship title since 1919.
This was far removed from the sides' round one duel on July 21st last, when the green and golds also prevailed, but by a whopping 5-13 to 1-5.
The neighbours were tied on four occasions after 37 minutes in this rematch before Naoise O'Leary and Seán McLoughlin pointed Marshalstown-Castledockrell 0-11 to 2-3 clear after 42 minutes.
Substitute Jack Morris then forced a brilliant point-blank save from experienced Ferns' netminder Conor Swaine after neat build-up by Dylan Browne and John Atkinson.
Ferns had real designs on this title, but they hurt themselves when kicking three of the next four wides - they accounted for six of the ten wides overall - before Jonny Dwyer pegged it back to 0-11 to 2-4 on 55 minutes after a counter-attack culminated in Tomás 'Ducker' Hawkins feeding his fellow experienced hand.
A couple of rows then interrupted proceedings temporarily, before Marshalstown-Castledockrell pushed clear by 0-13 to 2-4 four minutes into injury-time with a fifth free from Dylan Browne - arising from a foul on Michael Kinsella - and John Atkinson, the latter posting his third point after being launched forward by sub Barry Doyle. But the eventual winners could never find that insurance score, and Ferns St. Aidans were in with a shout of possibly forcing extra-time when 'keeper Conor Swaine got up field to help force a last-gasp free.
However, Swaine's delivery towards the far top corner from the right of goal failed to find the desired connection as Marshalstown-Castledockrell held out.
Ferns St. Aidans had certainly strengthened their challenge since that opening round humbling by the same opposition, and on this occasion they fielded six of their history-making Junior 'B' football champions of 2021 together with Patrick O'Hagan, James Tonks, John Breen, Peter Nolan and Gavin Bailey from their near-miss in the 2020 Intermediate football decider, and Tommy Dwyer and Christopher 'Bitsy' O'Connor from that latter close-call were sprung from the bench.
But Marshalstown-Castledockrell, with Seán Doyle and Colm Bennett putting in fine shifts in defence, got the job done to retain ambitions of regaining Intermediate 'A' status following demotion in 2016.
John Atkinson and Seán McLoughlin gained an early two-point advantage for the winners before Ferns transformed matters by 1-0 to 0-2 after nine minutes when Jonny Dwyer netted after Tomás 'Ducker' Hawkins and wing-back Brian O'Neill combined.
Although Dylan Browne levelled from a free, Ferns were further boosted when Hawkins netted a 2-0 to 0-3 lead after sixteen minutes when fellow old-hands Peter Nolan and Jonny Dwyer linked-up.
But Marshalstown-Castledockrell responded to lead 0-8 to 2-1 at half-time, as Browne (three frees), Michael Ivers and Evan Quigley obliged, while John Breen pegged back a late pointed '45 for Ferns after 'Ducker' Hawkins went dangerously close.
The sides twice traded points on the resumption before Marshalstown-Castledockrell had the best of the closing exchanges to qualify to face either Davidstown-Courtnacuddy or HWH-Bunclody's second-string in the final.
Ferns St. Aidans: Conor Swaine; Pat Nolan, Patrick O'Hagan, Charlie Murphy; Brian O'Neill (St. Aidans), James Tonks, Willie Bolger; John Breen (0-2, 1 '45, 1 free), Brian Stafford; Gavin Collier, Peter Nolan (capt., 0-1 free), Shane Stafford; Jonny Dwyer (1-1), Tomás Hawkins (1-0), Gavin Bailey. Subs. - David Murphy for C. Murphy (19), Tommy Dwyer for Collier (29), Ciarán Roberts for S. Stafford (HT), Christopher O'Connor for O'Neill (48), Seán Walsh for Bolger, inj. (50).
Marshalstown-Castledockrell: Tadhg Dunne; Brian Lett, P.J. O'Brien (capt.), Seán Doyle; Adam Somers, Colm Bennett, Ryan Quigley; Michael Kinsella, John Atkinson (0-3); Evan Quigley (0-1), Dylan Browne (0-5 frees), Seán McLoughlin (0-2); Naoise O'Leary (0-1), Mark Morris, Michael Ivers (0-1). Subs. - Fionn O'Leary for E. Quigley (37), Jack Morris for Lett (37), Finn O'Driscoll for Somers (48), Barry Doyle for M. Morris (48).
Referee: Martin Quigley (Rathnure).
October 11, quarter-final: Ferns St. Aidans 1-4, St. Joseph’s 0-5
FERNS ST. Aidans won a pulsating battle in the quarter-final of the Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior 'A' football championship at a bitterly cold Halo Tiles Centre of Excellence on Friday.
The scoreline doesn't do this game justice, as it had a bit of everything. Above all, it was hugely competitive from start to finish.
In terms of intensity, it was high end from first whistle to last. As for the average distance covered by each player, it would make for interesting reading if both teams were using GPS tracking systems.
It always feels like the game is played at a faster pace when it's under floodlights and there's dew on the grass. It certainly was the case for this game.
In the end, Ferns St. Aidans just about did enough to secure their place in the last four. They were pushed all the way by a St. Joseph's side who might feel they could have played better, but certainly couldn't be faulted for effort.
The tackling by Adrian Flynn's side was strong and relentless. It yielded frees and turnovers in equal measure. After a difficult number of years, they clearly are laying good foundations.
The sides were equal in almost every department. But in such low-scoring encounters, a goal is going to make all the difference.
St. Joseph's went toe to toe with Patrick Breen's side from first whistle to last, but the goal put four points between the teams after nine minutes.
And while the gap was reduced to one, the fact that they never got on level terms was a psychological barrier in itself.
From the first whistle, Ferns St. Aidans went full press for the kick-outs, with goalkeeper Conor Swaine taking up a position near midfield on a number of occasions.
The game was seven minutes old before the first score arrived. After initial build-up play involving John Breen and Peter Nolan, Willie Bolger collected and turned before unleashing a shot that struck the crossbar on its way over the bar.
Two minutes later, Ferns St. Aidans got the game's only goal. Tomás Hawkins delivered a high ball in and, with Kyle Turner failing to gather it, Gavin Collier was ready to pounce.
Although they were full of honest endeavour, it was a full 14 minutes before St. Joseph's opened their account, with Darragh Fitzpatrick collecting a Josh Kavanagh kick-pass before slotting over.
Peter Nolan soon replied with a free following a foul on Hawkins, before Gary Byrne popped over a neat score on the loop, after Cian Carty and Jason Murphy were involved in the initial build-up.
Carty drove over a free nine minutes later, with the hard work of Josh Kavanagh again forcing a turnover that led to the free.
Ferns St. Aidans failed to capitalise from a free soon after. In what was a decent period for the Wexford town side, they simply didn't get enough scores.
Just before half-time, Carty broke through a gap but he pulled his effort for a goal to the left and wide.
Trailing by 1-2 to 0-3 at the interval, an effort from Decky Downes just crept over on 35 minutes.
In the next ten minutes, possession was won and lost by both sides, owing to the relentless workrate of players. During this period Nolan and Carty exchanged frees, and the latter in the 44th minute would amazingly prove to be his side's last score of the game.
Both sides missed frees before the game entered the final ten minutes. With 52 minutes on the clock, goalkeeper Conor Swaine came forward to take a free off the ground, following a foul on Bolger.
And though his effort didn't have the required distance, substitute Seán Walsh reacted to the break and peeled away from the onrushing defenders to steer over a crucial point.
Ferns St. Aidans led by two with eight minutes of normal time remaining. They recycled possession well during this period.
It looked like they had absorbed everything the Joseph's had thrown at them, and had just enough in reserve to see out the game, but there was almost a late twist. The Joseph's attacked in search of a game-rescuing score.
Substitute Shane Dempsey sent the ball across from the left and it was gathered by Jason Murphy. His shot looked to be heading for goal, but somehow both netminder Conor Swaine and full-back Paddy O'Hagan managed to force the ball out for a '45 between them.
Ferns St. Aidans were full value for their victory, but the Joseph's came agonisingly close. It was a thoroughly enjoyable contest.
Ferns St. Aidans: Conor Swaine; Charlie Murphy, Paddy O'Hagan, Pat Nolan; Brian O'Neill, James Tonks, Peter Shannon; John Breen, Brian Stafford; Shane Stafford, Peter Nolan (0-2 frees), Gavin Collier (1-0); Patrick O'Toole, Tomás Hawkins, Willie Bolger (0-1). Subs. - Tommy Dwyer for O'Toole (26), Gavin Bailey for Collier (HT), Conor Kehoe for S. Stafford (43), Seán Walsh (0-1) for Murphy (45), Christopher O'Connor for Hawkins (53).
St. Joseph's: Kyle Turner; Josh Guerrine, Wayne Carty, Paddy Harnett; Liam Godkin, Ryan Gavin, Mark Shortall; Cian Carty (0-2 frees), Josh Kavanagh; Sky Moroney, Decky Downes (0-1), Darragh Fitzpatrick (0-1); Gary Byrne (0-1), Jason Murphy, Dean Hillis. Subs. - Aaron Smith for Guerrine, inj. (36), Shane Dempsey for Byrne (46), Jim Berry for Harnett (48), Chris Curran for Godkin (56).
Referee: John Tobin (Geraldine O'Hanrahans).
October 25, semi-final: Marshalstown-Castledockrell 0-13, Ferns St. Aidans 2-4
Marshalstown-Castledockrell squeezed past the second-string of Ferns St. Aidans in an at times fractious semi-final at the floodlit Halo Tiles Centre of Excellence, in Ferns, on Friday to stand on the brink of a first Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior 'A' football championship title since 1919.
This was far removed from the sides' round one duel on July 21st last, when the green and golds also prevailed, but by a whopping 5-13 to 1-5.
The neighbours were tied on four occasions after 37 minutes in this rematch before Naoise O'Leary and Seán McLoughlin pointed Marshalstown-Castledockrell 0-11 to 2-3 clear after 42 minutes.
Substitute Jack Morris then forced a brilliant point-blank save from experienced Ferns' netminder Conor Swaine after neat build-up by Dylan Browne and John Atkinson.
Ferns had real designs on this title, but they hurt themselves when kicking three of the next four wides - they accounted for six of the ten wides overall - before Jonny Dwyer pegged it back to 0-11 to 2-4 on 55 minutes after a counter-attack culminated in Tomás 'Ducker' Hawkins feeding his fellow experienced hand.
A couple of rows then interrupted proceedings temporarily, before Marshalstown-Castledockrell pushed clear by 0-13 to 2-4 four minutes into injury-time with a fifth free from Dylan Browne - arising from a foul on Michael Kinsella - and John Atkinson, the latter posting his third point after being launched forward by sub Barry Doyle. But the eventual winners could never find that insurance score, and Ferns St. Aidans were in with a shout of possibly forcing extra-time when 'keeper Conor Swaine got up field to help force a last-gasp free.
However, Swaine's delivery towards the far top corner from the right of goal failed to find the desired connection as Marshalstown-Castledockrell held out.
Ferns St. Aidans had certainly strengthened their challenge since that opening round humbling by the same opposition, and on this occasion they fielded six of their history-making Junior 'B' football champions of 2021 together with Patrick O'Hagan, James Tonks, John Breen, Peter Nolan and Gavin Bailey from their near-miss in the 2020 Intermediate football decider, and Tommy Dwyer and Christopher 'Bitsy' O'Connor from that latter close-call were sprung from the bench.
But Marshalstown-Castledockrell, with Seán Doyle and Colm Bennett putting in fine shifts in defence, got the job done to retain ambitions of regaining Intermediate 'A' status following demotion in 2016.
John Atkinson and Seán McLoughlin gained an early two-point advantage for the winners before Ferns transformed matters by 1-0 to 0-2 after nine minutes when Jonny Dwyer netted after Tomás 'Ducker' Hawkins and wing-back Brian O'Neill combined.
Although Dylan Browne levelled from a free, Ferns were further boosted when Hawkins netted a 2-0 to 0-3 lead after sixteen minutes when fellow old-hands Peter Nolan and Jonny Dwyer linked-up.
But Marshalstown-Castledockrell responded to lead 0-8 to 2-1 at half-time, as Browne (three frees), Michael Ivers and Evan Quigley obliged, while John Breen pegged back a late pointed '45 for Ferns after 'Ducker' Hawkins went dangerously close.
The sides twice traded points on the resumption before Marshalstown-Castledockrell had the best of the closing exchanges to qualify to face either Davidstown-Courtnacuddy or HWH-Bunclody's second-string in the final.
Ferns St. Aidans: Conor Swaine; Pat Nolan, Patrick O'Hagan, Charlie Murphy; Brian O'Neill (St. Aidans), James Tonks, Willie Bolger; John Breen (0-2, 1 '45, 1 free), Brian Stafford; Gavin Collier, Peter Nolan (capt., 0-1 free), Shane Stafford; Jonny Dwyer (1-1), Tomás Hawkins (1-0), Gavin Bailey. Subs. - David Murphy for C. Murphy (19), Tommy Dwyer for Collier (29), Ciarán Roberts for S. Stafford (HT), Christopher O'Connor for O'Neill (48), Seán Walsh for Bolger, inj. (50).
Marshalstown-Castledockrell: Tadhg Dunne; Brian Lett, P.J. O'Brien (capt.), Seán Doyle; Adam Somers, Colm Bennett, Ryan Quigley; Michael Kinsella, John Atkinson (0-3); Evan Quigley (0-1), Dylan Browne (0-5 frees), Seán McLoughlin (0-2); Naoise O'Leary (0-1), Mark Morris, Michael Ivers (0-1). Subs. - Fionn O'Leary for E. Quigley (37), Jack Morris for Lett (37), Finn O'Driscoll for Somers (48), Barry Doyle for M. Morris (48).
Referee: Martin Quigley (Rathnure).
