Rounds 1 and 2 are now complete in the Wexford Club Hurling Championships, and the picture is beginning to take shape across all grades. While some sides have put themselves firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stages, others are already staring at what could prove to be a season-defining third round after the two-week break to allow the Football Championships take centre stage.
Last year’s county finalists, St. Martin’s and Rathnure St. Anne’s, lead the way in their respective groups after making perfect starts to the Senior Championship. They are joined on maximum points by 2020 champions Shelmaliers, who sit second in Group A behind St. Martin’s only on score difference. One of those unbeaten records is guaranteed to disappear in Round 3, however, when St. Martin’s and Shelmaliers meet in what promises to be one of the standout ties of the round.
Towards the foot of the table, Fethard St. Mogue’s, St. Anne’s Rathangan and Glynn-Barntown all remain without a point after two rounds and know that another defeat could leave their championship ambitions hanging by a thread. Fethard and St. Anne’s will eventually meet in Round 4, but both will be hoping to have points on the board before then as they prepare for difficult Round 3 encounters against Faythe Harriers and Naomh Éanna respectively. In Group B, Glynn-Barntown will also be desperate to get off the mark when they return to action, having become the only side in the group still searching for a first victory after Ferns St. Aidans and Rapparees were victorious in Round 2.
Moving to Intermediate, Group A has developed into a fascinating battle at both ends of the table. Crossabeg-Ballymurn and Craanford have opened with successive victories while Horeswood and Bunclody remain pointless after two rounds. Bunclody, in particular, can count themselves unfortunate having lost both of their opening fixtures by the narrowest of margins. The next round presents a huge challenge for both winless sides with Bunclody taking on Craanford and Horeswood facing Crossabeg respectively.
Elsewhere, Askamore produced a remarkable turnaround, responding to a 23-point defeat in Round 1 with an emphatic 21-point victory in Round 2 over Horeswood. Liam Mellows and Blackwater also secured derby wins against their neighbours Ballyfad and Buffers Alley respectively.
In Group B, Cloughbawn are the only side to have won both of their opening games and sit top of the table. Further down the standings, Davidstown-Courtnacuddy are still searching for their first victory, while the remaining four sides have picked up one win and one defeat to leave the group finely poised.
The Intermediate A grade has four teams who remain unbeaten and five teams still searching for a first victory after two rounds. Monageer-Boolavogue, Duffry Rovers, Shelmaliers and Gusserane are leading the charge after two rounds. At the opposite end, Taghmon-Camross and Marshalstown-Castledockrell have yet to get off the mark, while St. Martin’s, Clongeen and Adamstown remain in search of a first victory after all picking up draws in Round 2.
The second teams of the county’s senior clubs have experienced mixed fortunes in the Junior Championship. In Group B, Glynn-Barntown and Rathnure St. Anne’s remain unbeaten, while Naomh Éanna and Rapparees have yet to get off the mark. The next round could prove hugely consequential, with the two unbeaten sides meeting while the two pointless teams also go head-to-head. Group A remains the more open of the two groups, with every side already having at least a point on the board, although Shamrocks have edged ahead after the opening two games.
Finally, in Junior A, Faythe Harriers, Tara Rocks and Bannow-Ballymitty have set the early pace with maximum points from their opening two games, while Cloughbawn, Craanford and Rathnure have work to do when the small ball returns.
One notable trend developing after the opening two rounds is the difficult start this year’s promoted clubs have faced. Across the five adult hurling grades, none of the newly promoted sides has managed to record a victory yet.
Fethard St. Mogue’s (Senior), Davidstown-Courtnacuddy (Intermediate), Marshalstown-Castledockrell (Intermediate A), Ballyhogue (Junior) and Rathnure St. Anne’s (Junior A) are all still searching for their first win, although Ballyhogue have at least picked up a draw. While two rounds is too early on to draw any conclusions, the statistic underlines just how significant the step up in grade can prove. When the hurling resumes following the football action, each of those sides will be hoping to break that sequence and breathe fresh life into their campaigns.
- By Adam Carty
