FOUR IN ALL STARS HUNT

O’Keeffe, O’Hanlon, Chin and McDonald shortlisted

THE WEXFORD hurlers have received four All Star nominations following their league and championship exploits.

Both Matthew O’Hanlon and Diarmuid O’Keeffe have been included in the list of defenders, while Lee Chin is listed amongst a quality group of midfielders. The sole nomination in the forwards goes to Conor McDonald.

Not surprisingly, it’s a list dominated by All-Ireland champions Galway, along with beaten finalists Waterford, but Wexford can be well satisfied with having four players recognised.

O’Hanlon enjoyed a fine league and championship campaign from centre-back, best remembered for holding Joe Canning scoreless from play in the provincial final.

One could not dismiss the attacking qualities of Diarmuid O’Keeffe who, despite playing from wing-back, ended the league and championship with the impressive scoring tally of 3-13, all from play.

Having given a magnificent display in the championship defeat of Kilkenny, Chin as expected is included among an array of excellent midfielders, while Conor McDonald edged his way into the forward nominations.

It’s a boost for Wexford hurling to have four players included in the illustrious list of hurlers.

And on the local club scene it’s also refreshing to see two new faces in the Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship semi-final line-up after the quarter-finals last weekend.

McDonald scored 2-4 as Naomh Eanna returned to the last four for the first time since 1984 with a win over Oylegate-Glenbrien. They will now take on St. Martin’s who scraped past Buffers Alley thanks to a brilliant late Rory O’Connor point.

Meanwhile, Rapparees showed that their win over the Piercestown-based team was no flash in the pan when they dumped Rathnure on a 1-25 to 2-15 scoreline on Sunday.

Their prize is a joust with holders Oulart-The Ballagh who needed a late Nicky Kirwan goal to make sure of a hard-earned win over Shelmaliers.