Nolan inspires last-gasp Bunclody win

AIDAN NOLAN produced a stunning additional time goal to keep HWH-Bunclody’s title charge on course as they shocked Crossabeg-Ballymurn with that late scoring flourish in this hugely entertaining The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate hurling championship Group A game in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, on Sunday.

Those in attendance were expecting to witness Crossabeg-Ballymurn see out a game which they had led throughout as they carried a three-point lead into additional time and looked to have absorbed what the opposition could throw at them.

But then disaster struck for the Wexford District side when Nolan, having gathered a ball close to the endline, managed to create space ten metres to the right of goal to propel an unstoppable shot between ‘keeper Noel Scallan and his near post to bring the sides level (2-10 to 1-13).

But the drama was by no means finished as the impeccable Nolan almost immediately gathered a ball out on the sideline under the stand to direct a magnificent shot over the bar.

And with Crossabeg-Ballymurn rocked by this late scoring surge, Seán Kenny from all of 80 metres picked off a huge point to give his side a dramatic victory.

The game was decided in those action-packed additional minutes, but Crossabeg-Balymurn will still be wondering how they let the game slip.

Their two goals had given them a cushion right through the game, but given their periods of dominance they failed to put sufficient distance between the sides, and paid a costly penalty in the end.

Crossabeg-Ballymurn opened the game impressively. Pádraig Foley pointed a long-range free, with Seamus Carroll adding a second in the third minute.

After a Billy Kelly pointed free had reduced the deficit, the Wexford District side got in for their opening goal after seven minutes when Oisín Foley finished with a superb shot to the net after a tremendous 30-metre run, giving his side a 1-2 to 0-1 lead.

With the Bunclody side’s accuracy letting them down, just three points separated them (1-4 to 0-4) at the end of the opening quarter.

With the teams continuing to exchange points, with Niall Murphy on target for Crossabeg-Ballymurn while Nolan and Seán Kenny replied, just two points separated the sides at the interval (1-6 to 0-7).

After Niall Murphy and Eoin Kelly had exchanged early second-half points, two Billy Kelly pointed frees had the sides level (1-7 to 0-10) after 37 minutes.

With clearcut scoring chances at a premium, Crossabeg-Ballymurn got a crucial breakthrough after 39 minutes when Tony Murphy crashed a loose ball to the net, leaving his side leading by 2-7 to 0-10.

Niall Murphy followed with a pointed free before Bunclody managed to raise their game with a series of promising attack that, despite their wayward finishing, still yielded points from a Billy Kelly ‘65, Eoin Kelly and Peter Atkinson, to leave the minimum separating the sides (2-8 to 0-13) with five minutes remaining.

When Niall Murphy and Luke Redmond points extended that lead to three, they looked on their way to victory, but then came that dramatic Bunclody late scoring onslaught inspired by the outstanding Nolan.

HWH-Bunclody: John Byrne; John Dunne, Colm Farrell, Conor Crean; Ciarán Kavanagh, Seán Kenny (0-2), Lee Levingstone; Aidan Nolan (1-3), Cathal Doyle; Tadhg O Ceallaigh, Josh Martin, Peter Atkinson (0-1); Billy Kelly (0-7, 4 frees, 1 ‘65), Eoin Kelly (0-2), Kevin Dunne. Sub. - Jamie Kavanagh for O Ceallaigh.

Crossabeg-Ballymurn: Noel Scallan; Declan Byrne, David Kehoe, Matt Sludds; David Murphy, Pádraig Foley (0-1 free), Bill Eviston; Seamus Carroll, Conor Devereux; Sam Kelly (0-1), Oisín Foley (1-0), Shane O’Rourke; David Jackman, Tony Murphy (10), Niall Murphy (0-7, 3 frees). Subs. - Luke Redmond (0-1) for O’Rourke, Eoin McDonald for Jackman, Cormac O’Rourke for D. Murphy.

Referee: Dan Crosby (Kilmore).