Minor at last four
Quarter-finals in both codes played
IT WAS a bumper week of action in the Wexford People Minor championships, with both sets of football and hurling quarter-finals completed.
As well as that, there was also hurling action in the Enniscorthy Guardian Under-15 and the New Ross Standard Under-13 championships.
A cracking game in Blackwater saw the hosts reach their first Wexford People Minor hurling Premier championship semi-final, beating Naomh Eanna by 2-16 to 2-15. In the last four they will play Faythe Harriers, the side which finished second in the Group A table.
On the other side of the draw, things weren’t as tight. Rapparees, who have been showing improved form as the season moves to a conclusion, proved a little too strong for Na Piarsaigh (1-21 to 1-13) and they will face an unbeaten St. Martin’s in their semi-final.
Rathnure were pushed all the way by Ballinastragh Gaels in their Roinn 1 quarter-final before the Blackstairs boys eventually came out on top by 3-15 to 4-11.
In the last four they will play neighbours Cloughbawn, 2-16 to 1-16 victors against a gallant Horeswood.
Oulart-The Ballagh racked up 8-19 on their way past St. James’ and into the semi-final on the other side of the bracket. They will face-off against Glynn-Barntown in the last four after the Killurin boys beat Crossabeg-Ballymurn by 2-13 to 1-6.
In the Roinn 1 shield, Our Lady’s Island/St. Fintan’s will play Liam Mellows in one semi while Oylegate-Glenbrien face Craanford in the other.
Buffers Alley scored a 10-20 to 1-7 success against Ballyhogue in Roinn 2 and they will clash with Bannow-Ballymitty in the last four after the Grantstown club edged out St. Patrick’s.
In the other last four game, Ferns St. Aidan’s, thumping winners against Adamstown, will meet Moguegeen Gaels, victors versus Askamore.
Naomh Eanna bounced back from their hurling loss to beat St. Martin’s in the Wexford People Minor football Premier quarter-final (2-15 to 3-7). They will face round-robin table-toppers Na Piarsaigh in the last four.
Starlights proved too powerful for Ballinastragh Gaels on the other side of the draw, winning through by 4-10 to 1-10. Their reward for that success is a semi-final outing against Shelmaliers, the side which finished second in the table.
Goals proved key as Gusserane eased past Blackwater in the Roinn 1 quarter-finals. Crossabeg-Ballymurn edged past Rathgarogue-Cushinstown by one point, Sarsfields were too strong for Glynn-Barntown, and St. Joseph’s will have to do it all over again with Ballyhogue after they drew.
Kilross Gaels kept their perfect season going with a big win against Hollow Rovers in Roinn 2, and they will face Bannow-Ballymitty in the semi-final after the Grantstown side beat Buffers Alley.
Moguegeen Gaels are also into the last eight but must wait for their challengers, with Monageer-Boolavogue still looking for an opponent in the quarters.
Apart from the first final featured in this section, it was semi-final time in the New Ross Standard Under-13 hurling championships last week.
In Division 2, Rathnure’s goals proved too much for Shelmaliers in 4-8 to 1-6 win, and they will meet Oylegate-Glenbrien in the decider after they edged Duffry Rovers in a hard-fought semi (4-6 to 4-4).
Ballinastragh Gaels beat Bannow-Ballymitty to make the Division 3 final where they will play the victors of St. James’ and Askamore.
Cloughbawn fought their way past Liam Mellows by 5-8 to 2-8 in Division 4 and will take on the winners of St. Mary’s (Rosslare) and Davidstown-Courtnacuddy in the decider.
A powerful Ballyhogue outfit were in superb form on their way past Clongeen in the Division 5 semi-final, and their reward for that win is a title showdown with Ballygarrett, winners against Marshalstown-Castledockrell.
The Under-13 hurling shield finals are also confirmed. Blackwater will meet Glynn-Barntown in Division 1, Ferns St. Aidan’s face Rathgarogue-Cushinstown in Division 2, while Fethard and Horeswood will play a local derby in Division 3.
Kilmore and Craanford face off in Division 4 while Adamstown and Taghmon-Camross compete for Division 5 shield glory.
The Enniscorthy Guardian Under-15 hurling championship quarter-finals took place last week, and there was no surprise in Killurin where Glynn-Barntown proved too strong for HWH-Bunclody. In the other game, hosts Fethard drew with Faythe Harriers and they will meet again.
Rathnure continued their fine round-robin form into the knockouts as they eased past Monageer-Boolavogue in the Roinn 1 quarter-finals.
In the last four they will meet Horeswood, who had an impressive success against Blackwater.
On the other side of the draw, Oulart-The Ballagh were goal hungry against St. Anne’s on their way to the last four. In that semi-final they will face Shelmaliers, winners against Davidstown-Courtnacuddy in Hollymount.
In the Roinn 1 shield quarters, Oylegate-Glenbrien beat Craanford and will face off against Ferns St. Aidan’s in the semi-finals. In the other last four game, Askamore, winners against Our Lady’s Island/ St. Fintan’s, will host St. James’.
Taghmon-Camross won their eighth straight game in Roinn 2 to move into the semi-finals at the expense of Ballinastragh Gaels. They will meet Rathgarogue-Cushinstown for a place in the final after the New Ross District side beat Marshalstown-Castledockrell.
In the other penultimate round contest, Clúain O’Rahilly’s, victors against Ballygarrett, face a difficult assignment against an in-form Ballyhogue team, winners against Cloughbawn in their quarter-final.