Rossiter strikes vital point

GUSSERANE 1-11 SHELMALIERS 0-13

A MARK Rossiter pointed free three minutes from the end enabled Gusserane to secure a victory and also a quarter-final spot as they shocked high-flying Shelmaliers in this excellent Junior hurling championship Group A game at Cushinstown on Saturday.

Shelmaliers had their quarter-final spot sealed, but Gusserane needed a victory to edge out neighbours Horeswood for the final qualifying spot.

This they achieved following a dramatic finish, with the closing minutes proving tense as they battled to preserve their lead once a Conor Byrne free had left the minimum separating the sides with two minutes remaining.

One minute from the end Byrne was straight red-carded following an altercation close to the sideline, but the New Ross District side still had some defending to do before securing their knockout spot.

Gusserane had an impressive start with two Seán Ryan points along with a Rossiter free to lead by 0-3 to nil after six minutes.

With Conor Byrne responding with six first-half points, four from frees, the Shels led by 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval.

When Byrne struck two pointed frees within two minutes of the re-start to stretch his side into a six-point lead, Gusserane were left with much to do.

Still, they responded positively to the challenge and a Mark Rossiter goal at the end of the third quarter brought the sides level (1-8 to 0-11).

Rossiter and Ryan points helped their side regain the lead, with Rossiter’s pointed long-range free three minutes from the end proving his most crucial score of the campaign so far.

It was the score that gave his team the victory and a quarter-final spot.

Gusserane: Micheál Ryan; Robert Browne, Kenneth Cahill, Jack O’Connor; Liam Dillon, Shane Cullen, James Redmond; Adrian Redmond, Mark Rossiter (1-6, 0-6 frees); Fintan Ryan, Graeme Cullen (0-1), Darragh Doyle; Páraic Conway, Mark O’Neill, Seán Ryan (0-4). Sub. - Shane Doyle for J. Redmond.

Shelmaliers: Stephen Whelan; Eoin O’Leary, Kevin O’Leary, Eoghan Fitzgerald; Aaron O’Neill, Barry O’Connor, Cian Manley; Graham Staples, Denis Kelly; Chris Gordon (0-1), Conor Byrne (0-12, 10 frees), Niall Murphy; Craig Parker, Emmet O’Leary, Aodhán Foley. Subs. - Cathal Gaule for Kelly, Shane Birney for Gordon, Shane Griffith for Foley.

Referee: Lar Doyle (Taghmon-Camross).