The entire gaelic games community is this week united in grief and shock following the tragic death of Aoibheann Clarke while playing for Taghmon-Camross against Ferns on Tuesday. Our sympathies to Aoibheann’s family and friends. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam.
If week four of the hurling championships was moving week, there was more significant movement at the bottom of the table than the top in the Pettitt’s senior competition.
In Group A, St Martin’s and Shelmaliers serenely maintained their unbeaten records, beating Faythe Harriers and Naomh Eanna respectively. But the big match-up was between the two teams staring a relegation play-off in the face, the hitherto pointless St. Anne’s Rathangan and Fethard St Mogues. St. Anne’s prevailed by six points, guaranteeing their safety and leaving Fethard dangerously close to the trap-door straight back into the intermediate ranks.
In Group B, the only thing we’re sure of is that Rathnure St. Anne’s will top the group, having notched up their fourth win in succession against Oulart-The Ballagh. After that, it’s far from clear. Ferns St. Aidans and the Rapparees played out a draw that was littered with wides, and neither are safe with one game left. Glynn-Barntown beat Oylegate-Glenbrien, leaving both on four points, and still with work to do.
In the Courtyard Intermediate championship, Crossabeg-Ballymurn remain top of Group A, still unbeaten as they strive for a quick return to the senior ranks, their latest win against Fr. O’Regan’s Craanford. HWH Bunclody lead the chasing pack, having beaten neighbours Askamore, always sweet. Horeswood emphatically ended a run of three defeats, beating St James’ convincingly so stay in the conversation. Group B saw two draws, with Davidstown-Courtnacuddy ending their losing run in a tie with Liam Mellows. Buffers Alley needed a last-gasp goal to level their game with Ballyfad, while St. Brigid’s Blackwater beat Cloughbawn, ensuring they won’t be back in a relegation decider this year. Instead, they top the group with one game to go.
The Joyces Expert Intermediate A saw the bottom teams in both groups stranded. Marshalstown-Castledockrell pushed group A leaders Monageer-Boolavogue, but suffered a fourth straight loss. They will face off against Taghmon-Camross in the relegation decider. While all five other teams in both groups are guaranteed progress, they will all want to avoid the preliminary quarter-final. Rathgarogue-Cushinstown have achieved that objective, beating Duffry Rovers in a low-scoring encounter. St Martins second team joined St Mary’s Rosslare on three points having beaten the seasiders by four. Meanwhile in Group B, Taghmon-Camross pushed Oulart’s second string close, but fell short again. It’s a strange, and slightly worrying statistic that no team promoted last season has won a game after four rounds.
Shamrocks and Rathnure continue to lead the way in the Kavanagh Meats junior championship, with their latest wins coming over New Ross Geraldine O’Hanrahans and Kilmore. St Patrick’s edged Ballyhogue by a point, while Ballygaret beat Ferns, leaving Ferns and Ballyhogue facing a straight shootout to avoid a relegation play-off. They will play the Rapparees, who can’t climb off the bottom following a defeat to Glynn-Barntown, who are tucked in second place ahead of Naomh Eanna. The Gorey men beat St Anne’s and sit alongside Kilmore, who lost to Rathnure.
Bannow-Ballymitty and Faythe harriers lead the way in the Junior A ranks, with Rathnure and Cloughbawn bottom of their groups and facing the prospect of a derby relegation match.
Football
The Dominic Smith senior football championship kicks off with a group B match between Crossabeg-Ballymurn and Gusserane. Both sides have one win from two, and there won’t be much in it. Unbeaten St. James’ play pointless Glynn-Barntown on Saturday, with Glynn hoping for a bounce following their senior hurlers recent good form. Shelmaliers, unbeaten in both codes in the senior ranks, will play Fethard on Sunday in Samaritans St. Patrick’s Park.
There’s a big double-header in Group A on Saturday afternoon. HWH-Bunclody face off against St Martins at 2 pm, followed by Castletown against Sarsfields. The group is tight, so the two-time champions will want to beat the table-topping Wexford town team. The other game in the group is a derby between Naomh Eanna and Kilanerin, sure to be a close affair.
The Amber Springs and Ashdown Park Intermediate championship has a number of intriguing games, starting with St Fintan’s and Cloughbawn in an important Group B game. Pointless Ferns face Adamstown on Saturday afternoon, while Ballyhogue face Horeswood on Sunday. Group A sees Clongeen face St Annes, while the Starlights meet Rathgarogue Cushinstown.
One game of note in the Junior B ranks sees Kilanerin and Tara Rocks meeting, two clubs that were united at adult level for nine years now facing off for the first time since their “conscious uncoupling” to use a Hollywood euphemism for divorce.
With the sun still shining, what better way to spend a few hours than at a football game this weekend.
– By Pat O’Toole
