Top spot for the blues

OYLEGATE-GLENBRIEN secured top spot with a perfect round-robin record in Group A of the Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior football championship in Taghmon on Saturday.

Because of their score difference, the Enniscorthy District club came into the game with fellow high-flyers Shelmaliers as overwhelming favourites to top the table, but they were still given a stern test.

With Brian O’Connor, Aidan Murphy and Robbie Staples all impressing, Shelmaliers started the game on the front foot. Murphy netted for the opening score of the game as the Hollymount side built an early advantage.

However, Oylegate-Glenbrien soon started to chip away at that lead, with Seamus Casey, Fiachra Hourihane, Pierce Murphy, Conor Heffernan and Robbie O’Connor all on the scoresheet.

Great work by Tom White and Murphy allowed Eoghan Herlihy to get in for his side’s first goal in the 25th minute as they moved 1-6 to 1-3 ahead at the interval.

Pierce Murphy found the net from Conor Heffernan’s assist after the break but Brian O’Connor’s penalty kept Shelmaliers in contention.

The Over The Water side continued to rally with a string of points and were within two midway through the half.

Trevor Moulton made a fine save to keep the Shels at bay while Peter Nolan added a third goal at the other end from Podge Doran’s pass to ease Oylegate-Glenbrien clear again.

Ryan Hanrahan did pull back a major late in the game but, with Niall Parker composed in defence, the victory was soon secured.

In the quarter-finals Oylegate-Glenbrien will be strong favourites against a Glynn-Barntown side which has lost three of its last four games. Shelmaliers will meet Castletown in what should be an interesting battle between two talented second strings.

Oylegate-Glenbrien: Trevor Moulton; Bryan McCormack, Mike Kelly, Niall Parker; Daithí O’Mahoney, Damien Reck, Ciarán Hourihane; Tom White (0-1), Eoghan Herlihy (1-0); Conor Heffernan (0-3, 1 free), Seamus Casey (0-2), Robert O’Connor (0-1); Pierce Murphy (1-2), Peter Nolan (1-1), Fiachra Hourihane (0-1). Subs. - Lee Kehoe for D. Reck, Conor Doyle (0-1) for Murphy, Podge Doran for Kehoe (black card), Murphy for Heffernan.

Shelmaliers: Aodhán Foley; Aaron Doyle, Paul McCleane, Adam Kelly; Ryan Donnelly, Robbie Staples, Mark Power; Eoin O’Leary (0-1), Kevin O’Leary; Chris Cowman (0-3 frees), Brian O’Connor (1-3, 1-0 pen., 0-2 frees), Ryan Hanrahan (1-0); Kyle Roche, Aidan Murphy (1-0), Mark Flood. Subs. - David Kehoe (0-1) for Flood, Darren Shiggins for K. O’Leary, inj.

Referee: Eric Molloy (St. James’).