Fethard retain Foxe Cup title
FETHARD 1-12, GUSSERANE 2-7: There was a repeat pairing of 2017 in the Foxe Cup New Ross District hurling final in Cushinstown on Sunday when Gusserane and Fethard came up against each other for the second year running.
Again, it was a close affair, with the St. Mogue’s lads retaining the title by virtue of a two-point victory.
Mark Wallace opened the scoring with a free for Fethard and added three more points before the half was out.
A Ciarán Dwyer goal initially put a bit of daylight between the teams during the opening half, but two well-taken goals from Gavin Sheehan and Adrian Redmond helped Gusserane to a narrow 2-3 to 1-5 lead at the interval.
The second-half proved a dour contest with all bar two scores coming from placed balls. The Fethard captain, Graham O’Grady, took over the free-taking duties from Mark Wallace following the latter’s departure from the field, and landed three out of three.
Gavin Sheehan also took over the duties from Sam Wall for Gusserane and he added two to the three that Sam had already scored up to that point.
Mark O’Neill (Gusserane) and Ciarán Dwyer (Fethard) were the two second-half scorers from open play.
Fethard managed to withstand a late Gusserane surge to hold out and ensure that they brought the Foxe Cup back over the bridge in Saltmills for the second year running.
Caroline Foxe presented the cup to Graham O’Grady after the final which was refereed by Bob Treacy.