BIG FINALS BONANZA
Over a dozen winners to be crowned
THERE’S A huge week of finals ahead in the People Newspapers Coiste na nÓg championships, with over a dozen new winners set to be crowned in the coming days. IT all starts in St. Patrick’s Park tonight (Tuesday) where Oylegate-Glenbrien face Ballyhogue for the New Ross Standard Under-14 football Division 3 championship title.
These sides faced each other back in May when the Bree boys came out on top fairly comfortably, but things have changed since then and Oylegate-Glenbrien proved their quality in a big semi-final win against in-form Kilrush.
There’s a double-header in Enniscorthy on Wednesday evening. Up first are HWH-Bunclody and St. Martin’s in the Under-14 Division 1 shield decider. That’s followed by the Wexford People Minor football Roinn 2 final between St. Joseph’s and Ferns St. Aidan’s.
This is the first Minor side that the Bishopswater club has fielded since they re-formed, and they were impressive when dispatching Davidstown-Courtnacuddy in the last four.
However, Ferns, when playing with a full deck, are a tricky proposition and this promises to be a highly-competitive final.
The weekend is loaded with finals, especially in the New Ross Standard Under-14 hurling championship. The showpiece final, the Division 1 decider, takes place in St. Patrick’s Park on Saturday when Naomh Eanna face Faythe Harriers at 12.30 p.m.
There has been very little to choose between the top sides in Division 1 this year so it promises to be a cracking decider. That tie is preceded by St. Martin’s and Blackwater in the Division 1 shield final.
Meanwhile, in Taghmon, the Division 2 and 3 finals will be played back-to-back. The lower grade begins at 11 a.m. and could see Oylegate-Glenbrien going in search of a double against Horeswood.
That’s followed by a tasty looking Division 2 title clash between Féile heroes Fethard and rivals Glynn-Barntown.
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown meet Ballinastragh Gaels in Monageer for the Division 3 shield on Saturday morning. That is followed by the Wexford People Minor hurling Roinn 2 final between Davidstown-Courtnacuddy and Askamore.
There’s further finals fun on Sunday morning. Grantstown will host the New Ross Standard Under-14 Division 5 championship and shield deciders.
First up is the main event, pitting St. James’ against Kilmore at 11 a.m. That’s followed by the meeting of Cloughbawn and Taghmon-Camross for the shield.
Duffry Rovers meet Monageer-Boolavogue in the Division 4 final in St. Patrick’s Park at 11 a.m. Also on Sunday, Moguegeen Gaels come face-to-face with Ballyhogue for the Wexford People Minor hurling Roinn 2 shield.
It was semi-final time in the Enniscorthy Guardian Juvenile hurling Roinn 1 and 2 championships last weekend.
Blackwater will face Rathnure in the Roinn 1 final after both come through testing last four clashes. Meanwhile, St. James’ joined the waiting Ballygarrett in the Roinn 2 final after seeing off Askamore.
Finally, in the Wexford People Minor football Roinn 1 championship quarter-finals, Shelmaliers advanced with a solid victory over Hollow Rovers while Ballinastragh Gaels proved too strong for Our Lady’s Island/St. Fintan’s.