In the Pettitts Senior Hurling Championship semi final, Shelmaliers attack Oulart the Ballagh. The latter side left it until extra time to see off Ferns in the quarter final clash. Conor Goff is solid for Oulart while Nicky Kirwan and Des Mythen have great free taking ability. Ciaran O Shaughnessy, Tommy Barron and Stephen Banville lead the Shelmaliers into battle. While the Shelmaliers will be confident after the win over St Martins, Oulart seem too strong for the valiant men from “Over The Water”.
In the other clash, Faythe Harriers and Rathnure take to the field. Jim Berry leads a formidable Wexford town side who boast some classy forwards including Paul Lambert, Kevin Gore and Rhys Clarke. Rathnure’s, Paul Codd was valiant and proud in the post match interview after they defeated St Anne’s. Richard Flynn, Robbie Codd and Trevor Hogan are also predominant for Rathnure. This should be a dramatic duel between the rural and town club’s. Rathnure’s determination could just about edge the dangerous Harriers attack.
In the Intermediate Championship, four teams fight for senior status.
In the first semi final, Bunclody and Craanford are set for battle. For the men of Half Way House, Colin Farrell, Aidan Nolan and Kevin Dunne act as main scorers. For the Fr O Regan’s Club, James O Loughlin, Peter and Shane Kavanagh show flair. Their quarter final win over Rathgarogue Cushinstown was inspiring but yet Bunclody look like they could emerge from this game as winners by a narrow margin.
The second semi final is set to be the most epic battle. Blackwater and Oylegate; the game that has been regarded by many as the decider of the championship. Glenbrien host the talent of Fergal Doran, Trevor Moulton and Jamie Reck while Blackwater have powerful attackers like Brendan and Paul Murphy while Dean Wright’s free taking is reliable. While both sides are formidable, Oylegate seem to have a slight upper hand but the tension at this game will be palpable.
Finally the Top Oil Intermediate A Hurling Championship comes down to the crucial stages this weekend.
Between Marshalstown and Buffers Alley, both sides showcase a similar style of tough and powerful hurling. For the Gorey District side, John Moran and Cormac Foley supported their defeat of Fethard in the quarter final. When Marshalstown defeated Monagear, Micheal Jordan and James Byrne were exceptional in dismantling their opponents defence. This will be a dogged battle with Marshalstown shaping up to be the winning side.
The second clash is set between Naomh Eanna and Shamrocks. Gorey play a direct style of hurling as Justin Kenny feeds the ball to Conor McDonald, the scorer of three goals in their quarter final, while Peter Travers and William Cullen went well also. Mylie Cash, Graham Denton and Maurice Casey have high scoring tallies for the Shamrocks while the Jacob brothers of George and Bob are workhorses for the Enniscorthy town side. Naomh Eanna remain unbeaten so far and it looks like that status won’t be changing after Saturday’s game.
Le gach dea ghuí,
The Briar