Big Bunclody win
Fourteen men hold on to dump Alley
HWH-BUNCLODY answered every question asked of them to book a spot in The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate hurling championship decider, putting in a ferocious finish after going a man down to overcome Buffers Alley in this entertaining semi-final bout in Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday.
The Half Way men looked sharp throughout, leading for the majority of proceedings, but with nine minutes of normal time remaining, influential centre-forward Seán Kenny was sent to the line for an off-the-ball incident.
Having conceded three points in as many minutes just before this juncture, it looked like the momentum was already swinging in
Buffers Alley’s favour and Kenny’s departure, it seemed, would be a fatal blow.
But it had the opposite effect, as the Bunclody boys hit the next three scores and defended like dogs as their opponents launched attack after attack in the closing minutes, holding on to set up a county final date with Cloughbawn.
After a reasonably slow start, there was the minimum between the sides after ten minutes to HWH-Bunclody’s advantage.
Andrew Kenny narrowly missed a goal chance for the Alley which seemed to give their rivals a shake as they hit three without reply, with two coming from Seán Kenny.
It was a nice cushion for HWH-Bunclody, but all their good work was undone when a high delivery broke to Andrew Kenny who somehow managed to find the net, striking the ball between his legs and underneath the advancing ‘keeper.
Shane Grannell traded scores with Billy Kelly shortly afterwards to leave the eventual winners one point up at the break.
The second period continued in a similar fashion as both sides fought for everything, but being more clinical in their finishing, with Billy Kelly, Aidan Nolan and Seán Kenny all in glorious form, HWH-Bunclody built up a fourpoint lead midway through the half.
However, in typical Buffers Alley fashion, the team prepared by Colm Morris had that lead down to the minimum with ten minutes remaining.
And it looked like the game was there for the taking when Bunclody were down to 14 shortly afterwards.
But the men from the Half Way showed just how badly they wanted that final spot, putting in a massive workmanlike performance when it was needed most with a number of stand-out performances, and they were wholly deserved winners to set up a very intriguing final with Cloughbawn.
HWH-Bunclody: John Byrne; Conor Crean, Colm Farrell, Ciarán Kavanagh; Pádraig Sinnott, Aidan Nolan (0-3), Lee Levingstone; Billy Kelly (0-9, 4 frees, 2 ‘65s), Martin O’Connor; Eddie Black (0-1), Seán Kenny (0-4), Eoin Kelly; Edward Dunbar (0-1), Peter Atkinson (0-3), John Dunne. Subs. - Jason Cowman for Dunne (36), Cathal Doyle for Dunbar (59).
Buffers Alley: Oliver O’Leary (0-1 free); Conor Kenny, Seán Murphy, Ciarán Kenny; Kevin Roche, Ross Donohoe, Bobby Kenny; John Farrell, Pat Kenny; Ciarán Murphy, Shane Grannell (0-3), Paul O’Leary (0-4, 3 frees); Liam Walsh (0-1), Andrew Kenny (1-4), John Lee Meyler. Subs. - Páraic Roche for Meyler (27), Robert O’Leary (0-1) for P. O’Leary (40).
Referee: Brendan Martin (Ballyhogue).