Great deal at stake in latest meeting of long-time rivals
TRADITION HAS decreed that when Oulart-The Ballagh and Rathnure meet in the Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship, there’s often silverware at stake or, at the very least, a place in the semi-final or final.
It’s a different scenario this time around though, because the loser of their meeting in Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday afternoon will exit from the race for honours before the knockout stages.
That’s just one of the intriguing sub-plots ahead of the round five games, and it’s a sign of changing times that Naomh Eanna and Oylegate-Glenbrien are safely through from Group B ahead of their meeting in Bellefield on Saturday evening.
Rathnure, on four points, meet last year’s beaten finalists who have three to their name, while there’s also a do-or-die element to the other game between Glynn-Barntown (3) and Ferns St. Aidan’s (2).
That encounter is going to be particularly interesting for Mickey Laffan who was in charge of the Gorey District side last year when they survived relegation with a tense two-point win over Cloughbawn in a high-scoring game.
He’s on the opposite side this time around though, having returned to manage his native Glynn-Barntown.
The outcome of one game will have a major bearing on the other, and vice versa, so it promises to be an exciting conclusion to the group phase.
Matters are more clearcut among the six teams in the other half of the draw, with St. Martin’s, Rapparees and Shelmaliers safely through.
The last place will be decided by the straight head-to-head between Faythe Harriers and St. Anne’s which is down for decision in Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday afternoon.
Rapparees will meet Shelmaliers beforehand in a game to decide finishing places, while there’s a dead rubber in Bellefield on Saturday evening since St. Martin’s have advanced already, whereas Buffers Alley have to face up to the trauma of a relegation final.
I can’t help thinking back to their last meeting almost one year ago. Given that St. Martin’s went on to win the title in impressive fashion, it’s easy to forget that they were steeped to survive the Alley’s quarter-final challenge on a 1-16 to 1-15 scoreline.
The losers had their goalkeeper sent-off when the red card wasn’t merited, and that poor decision was later re-visited and the ban on the player concerned was lifted.
Although it was fitting that justice was seen to be done, at the same time it was no consolation to the Alley who had to look on through gritted teeth as their conquerors went all the way.
And now, one year later, they are facing the prospect of a possible drop down to Intermediate ranks for the second time this decade.
It just goes to show the role fate can play in deciding a team’s fortunes on the field of play, and how the margins are so tight.
Equally, it should serve as a timely reminder to our referees that they need to be one hundred per cent sure of their decision before taking the red card out of the pocket.
Of course, there’s more than Senior places to be decided over the weekend, although most of the quarter-finalists in The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate championship are already known.
Cloughbawn, Fethard, St. James’, HWH-Bunclody, Crossabeg-Ballymurn and Adamstown are all safely through, but there’s some battling to be done for one remaining place apiece from Group A and B respectively.
Farmleigh is the place to be on Sunday afternoon as the match featuring Askamore against Shamrocks, followed by Monageer-Boolavogue versus Blackwater, will go a long way towards finalising that quarter-final line-up.
Only Taghmon-Camross, Shelmaliers, Ballygarrett and Oulart-The Ballagh are fully sure of reaching the Top Oil Intermediate ‘A’ last eight, while those already through in the Permanent TSB Junior championship are Rapparees, Horeswood, St. Martin’s, Rathnure, St. Mary’s (Rosslare) and Monageer-Boolavogue.
The excitement is starting to mount, and rest assured there will be plenty of drama over the weekend. We’ll bring you all the reports as per usual next Tuesday.