Rathnure win cracker to move into second spot

IT WAS hurling time in the New Ross Standard Coiste na nÓg Under-14 championship with games across the five divisions.

In the top tier, because of their Féile exploits in the past couple of weeks, both Faythe Harriers’ game with St. James’ and Naomh Eanna’s clash with Coillte O’Rahilly’s were held back until next month.

Two games in the group did get completed and there was great news for Rathnure as they beat St. Martin’s in a cracker by 3-9 to 2-8 to move into second in the table.

Meanwhile, Oulart-The Ballagh picked up their first win of the season, 8-8 to 4-5 at home to Shelmaliers.

HWH-Bunclody are blazing a trail at the summit of the Division 2 table and they were in superb form again last week.

They beat Monageer-Boolavogue by 13-8 to 0-3 which means they have scored a whopping 26 goals in four games to move clear at the top.

Buffers Alley and Blackwater also picked up victories to stay in touch. The Monamolin club eased past Ferns St. Aidan’s on Wednesday evening by 6-11 to 3-3 before Blackwater followed into third place in the table with an 8-22 to nil win over Liam Mellows. Elsewhere, Rapparees beat Rathgarogue-Cushinstown, with the full report elsewhere on this page.

Crossabeg-Ballymurn are flying high atop Division 3 after winning their first four matches. They beat Taghmon-Camross by 3-17 to nil in their most recent game and will finish top of the table if they beat Ballinastragh Gaels this week and Fethard in their last group game.

Those sides met last Thursday and Fethard came out on top by 6-8 to 3-7.

The seasiders sit second in the table, tied with Askamore, who edged Carnew Emmets by 2-12 to 1-9 in their local derby to keep the pressure up on the leaders.

The six clubs in Division 4 have all played six games, with four each remaining.

Oylegate-Glenbrien are the only unbeaten side and they kept up their sensational form with a 7-19 to 1-3 win against Geraldine O’Hanrahans.

Our Lady’s Island/St. Fintan’s lost their only game, a close one, against the table-toppers earlier in the season but they are back on track, picking up their fourth consecutive win, this time against Duffry Rovers by 6-9 to 0-5.

Third-placed Adamstown eased past Kilmore by 6-14 to 1-2.

With the Féile Peil na nÓg around the corner, Bannow-Ballymitty had managed to squeeze games in early.

However, there was still plenty of action in Division 5 as Cloughbawn remained perfect after a 5-13 to 2-3 success against Ballyhogue.

St. Patrick’s and Davids- town-Courtnacuddy had just once loss each coming into the week and they ended it the same way after the sides played out a cracking 1-13 to 4-4 draw. St. Mary’s (Rosslare) got a walkover from Shamrocks while Clongeen beat Bannow-Ballymitty earlier in the week by 5-8 to 2-2.

Hurling is on the agenda in the New Ross Standard Under-14 championship this coming Thursday evening.

Last night (Monday) the Gorey Guardian Juvenile football championship resumed after the exam break.