Shamrocks advance

THE ASSURED point-scoring of Pa Weafer and John O’Connor ensured that Shamrocks progressed to the All-County Hurling League Division 3 final after a 1-19 to 2-7 victory over Rathnure’s second string in Saturday’s semi-final played at a sun-drenched Fr. Murphy Park, Enniscorthy.

Indeed, the aforementioned duo combined for a useful tally of 1-13 between them, which was in stark contrast to their rather pedestrian opponents, whose starting 15 scored only one point from play over the course of the hour.

Weafer opened the scoring with a free in the first minute, and accounted for every second score for the hosts up to the 25th minute, by which time they held a 1-8 to 0-3 advantage.

Their decisive green flag arrived on ten minutes when the ever-willing John O’Connor saw the ground open up in front of him, and his shot at goal had too much venom despite Seán Nolan’s credtaible attempt at a save.

Rathnure were reliant solely on the dead-ball accuracy of Syl Barron (three frees) for much of that first-half, but sparked into life two minutes before the break when Seán O’Neill showed brilliant game intelligence to play a crossfield pass out of the corner towards Brendan O’Leary, and the veteran forward swept to the net to cut the gap to 1-10 to 1-3.

And although Shamrocks had the first three points of the new half, Rathnure responded with another goal on 36 minutes as Seán O’Neill finished to the net despite a clear push on Mark Boland in the build-up.

Substitute Seán O’Connor showed well on his introduction for the black and ambers, and two points from the emerging youngster sandwiched one from Brendan O’Leary as they kept within two scores of the locals with 13 minutes remaining (1-15 to 2-6).

However, Shamrocks finished with aplomb to book their ticket to the decider, with John O’Connor contributing a brace, including an eye-catching point from under the shadow of Vinegar Hill, and replacement Podge Doyle also finding the target as they won through with a bit to spare.

The Enniscorthy side will face St. James’ in the final.

Shamrocks: Jamie Dagg; Barry Dobbs, George Jacob, Anthony Wallace; Lar McDonald, Brandon O’Connor, Seán Wildes; Bob Jacob (0-3, 1 free), Shane Larkin (capt.); Philip Freeman, Emmet Quirke (0-1), Cyril Thorpe; Pa Weafer (0-9, 6 frees, 1 ‘65), John O’Connor (1-4), Gerry O’Connor (0-1). Subs. - Peter Cullen for Larkin (HT), Podge Doyle (0-1) for G. O’Connor (40).

Rathnure: Seán Nolan (capt); Philip Redmond, Mick O’Leary, Teddy O’Connor; Aodhán Foley, Alan Ronan, Brian Ronan; Syl Barron (0-3 frees), Micheál O’Connor; Mark Boland, Fran Murphy, Michael Martin; James Flynn, Brendan O’Leary (1-1), Seán O’Neill (1-0). Subs. - Seán O’Connor (0-3, 2 frees) for Flynn (HT), Anthony Westnott for Foley (46).

Referee: Colm O’Flaherty (Blackrock, Cork).