FEILE REPORTS BY MICHAEL DWYER
DIVISION 1
Naomh Eanna vs St Martin’s
Gorey’s Tiernan Doyle launched the first attack on the St Martin’s goal line but his blasted shot was deflected by Sam Audsley to gain a 65′. The game’s opening was pulsating as Adam Cantwell and Jack Cullen were extremely active for their respective sides. The fouling negligence of Gorey gave Kyle Firman ample opportunity to point from the placed ball twice in the opening five minutes. Naomh Éanna had sauntered through their group stages beating Geraldine O’ Hanrahan’s, Glynn-Barntown and Faythe Harriers but the hyper and persistent challenge posed by St Martin’s ‘marooned’ their confidence and ability. Jordan Hayes’ point was followed by a high lobbed ball from Kyle Firman which slid past the well-guarded goal line of Barry Levingston after nine minutes. Tiernan Doyle finally notched Gorey’s first point in the fifteenth minute but that was soon equalled by Kyle Firman’s shot. Jack Deveraux’s goal on the stroke of halftime indicated a formidable lead for St Martin’s at the break as they led 2-04 to 0-01.
The second half gave Naomh Eanna the advantage of a gale which was used effectively by Eoin Molloy who pointed after a minute. Charlie McGuckin and Shane Stokes worked tirelessly for the town side and their efforts were rewarded by Tiernan Doyle who pointed from the placed ball which was then negated by Kyle Firman. The Gorey brigade engulfed the defence of St Martin’s as Seán Delaney and Tiernan Doyle swept their way into their opponents twenty metre line. However, the true dexterity of Piercestown came to the fore as Philip Dempsey and Eoin O’ Leary put the ball out for a series of 65’s for Gorey. But a late point by Philip Walsh from the placed ball captured a victory for St Martin’s in a clash that was layered with passion and skill. The spectacle was thoroughly enjoyed as a competitive and sporting contest as the huge scoring margin that Piercestown gained in the first paid dividends in the end. St Martin’s, managed by John Stafford, will now go onto represent Wexford at the National Finals in Limerick.
ST. MARTIN’s: Callum Quirke, Sam Audsley, Ben Maddock, Adam McLoughlin, Liam Lennon, Philip Dempsey, Eoin O’Leary, Michael Codd, Adam Cantwell, Jordan Hayes (0-01), Philip Walsh (0-01 free), Ben Stafford, Jack Devereaux (1-00), Kyle Firman (1-04, 4 frees), Rory Cullen. SUB’s. David Corcoran for Lennon, Conor Stafford, Shane Walsh, Conor Kelly, Tony Rowe, Diarmuid Barry, Philip McGrath.
NAOMH ÉANNA: Barry Levingston, Tom Cleary, Shane Stokes, Evan O’Dwyer, Joseph Naughton, Jack Cullen, Seán Delaney, Eoin Molloy (0-01), Eoin Kennedy, Jack Molloy, Charlie McGuckin, Eddie O’Brien-Murphy, Aaron Byrne, Tiernan Doyle (Captain, 0-05 4 frees), David Christie. SUB’s. Michael Duke, Dylan Connelly, Dylan O’Connor, Derick Woods, Larry Cullen, Martin Kavanagh, Lee Kenny, Sam Levingston, Ryan Price, Jack Ryan, Corey Myler, Cian Dwyer, Jonathan Nolan, Eoin Collins, Conor Kennedy, Oran Fitzpatrick.
Referee: David O’Leary
Final Score: St Martin’s 2-06 Naomh Eanna 1-06
DIVISION 2
Crossabeg Ballymurn vs Horeswood
The game opened with plenty of skilful play from Crossabeg’s Alex Sludds and Jack Fortune while Danny Byrne counteracted their efforts. After some Crossabeg dominance, Eamonn O’ Sullivan picked out Lorcan Murphy who set the scoring pace with an elegant point. However, Horeswood soon regained composure to blitz their opponents defence. The dynamism of midfielders Cyril Prendergast and Seán Nolan was exhibited exquisitely as they both pointed before Nolan slotted over three placed balls consecutively. With Crossabeg in a state of shock, Eamonn O’ Sullivan’s free from thirty metres out bounced into the net of Cathal Byrne after eighteen minutes. Crossabeg showed some resurgence before the interval as Oran Maddock responded with a fine point. While the men of green and white did convey some flair, Horeswood used their possession advantageously yielding a half-time score-line of 1-05 to 0-02.
Surprisingly Crossabeg were first to respond after the resumption but Oran McDonald’s pointed free would transpire to be the last scoring chance for the Ballymurn side. The second half was evenly fought out despite the major scoring difference. Lorcan Cummins and Tommy Ring were diligent in defence for the Castlebridge while David Murphy kept Horeswood on top. Nevertheless, Seán Nolan soon blasted the ball over the bar after thirty seven minutes which preceded Myles Dempsey’s cutely netted goal. David Murphy’s major was discounted by referee Jack French because of a foul on Robert Cullen in the fortieth minute. In spite of this, Cyril Prendergast’s point in the final minute heralded a victory for the southern side. Mick Dunne’s side were convincing and deserving of the double as they saw off the Starlights in the football equivalent recently. Seán Nolan led the joyous celebrations as he accepted the trophy from Coiste Na nÓg chairman, Bobby Goff.
HORESWOOD: Patrick Cummins, Seán Hunt, Martin Kinsella, Dean Roberts, Dylan Whitty, Eamonn O’ Sullivan (1-00 free), Evan Lyng, Cyril Prendergast (0-02), Seán Nolan (Captain 0-05, 3 frees), David Murphy, Danny Byrne, Andrew Breen, Adam Night, Emmett Kehoe, Eric Dickinson. SUB’s. Myles Dempsey (1-00) for Dickenson, Jake Dunne for Kent, Will McMackin, Jack Kehoe, Darragh Kent.
CROSSABEG/BALLYMURN: Cathal Byrne, Niall O’ Connor, Robert Cullen, Michael Whelan, Lorcan Cummins, Tommy Ring (captain), Alex Sludds, Oran Maddock (0-02 1 free), Lorcan Murphy (0-01), Fionn Griffin, Jack Fortune, Lorcan Lacey, Robert Murphy, Tony Laffan, Luke Enstone. SUB’s. Mark Byrne for R. Murphy, Luke Corish for Griffin, Conor Doyle for Laffan, Robert Scallan for Enstone.
Referee: Jack French
Final Score: Horeswood 2-07 Crossabeg-Ballymurn 0-03
