Slíabh Bhuí on top
Powerful display secures U-13 title
A POWERFUL display from the Ferns and Clonee combination proved too strong for Gusserane in the New Ross Standard Under-13 hurling Division 4 championship final in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, on Sunday.
Slíabh Bhuí Gaels were physically stronger and bigger than the New Ross District team in a lot of areas, particularly down the spine of the 15, with leaders stepping up in every line to drive them to victory.
Not only that, they were able to mix in a strong brand of hurling too.
Not everything came off, especially in the first-half when they hit double digit wides, but they will learn from that as much as the winning as they continue to develop as a group with plenty of potential.
Gusserane are a battling bunch, and they did a fantastic job to get to this position with a young group of players.
They fought right to the end and had a few chances to get closer themselves, but it was just one of those days when the luck they needed didn’t materialise.
A nervy start from Slíabh Bhuí saw them fire six wides before the powerful Stephen O’Toole picked up a loose ball, soloed in and drilled a low shot past Dylan Barry who had no chance in the Gusserane goal.
Despite points that came from Oisín Cronin and Gerry Sheridan, Gusserane were nipping in and claiming scores of their own.
Two Steven Walsh frees and a classy Noah Stapleton over ensured they were right in touch, 1-2 to 0-3 down, with four minutes left in the half.
The killer, heartbreaker of a score was probably O’Toole’s second goal in first-half injury time. It was almost a carbon copy of his first but was even more damaging as it turned a potential deficit of two into a five-point gap at the change of ends.
Despite battling away, Gusserane never recovered.
They kept the game close early in the second-half as nine minutes passed without a score, but after Oisín Cronin converted his second free, his team-mates took control.
With twelve minutes left, super-sub Keith Fleming scrambled in a goal, and he added another before the end.
Three more Cronin scores and a late point by Lukas Kinsella ensured Slíabh Bhuí Gaels took the crown, easing away from their gallant opponents.
Slíabh Bhuí Gaels: Kenny Murphy; Jack Young, Charlie O’Rourke, Andrew Hennessy; Cian Bolger, Danny Dreelan (capt.), Seán Gahan; Jack Brennan, Stephen O’Toole (2-0); Gerry Sheridan (0-1), Lukas Kinsella (0-1), Cormac Kinsella; Oran Hayden, Oisín Cronin (0-5, 4 frees), Bobby Murray. Subs. (rolling) - Davy Redmond, Keith Fleming (2-0), Adam Kehoe, Freddie Davis, Rory Murphy.
Gusserane: Dylan Barry; Anthony McCillen, Adam Ryan, Michael Rossiter; Lar Fitzharris, Mitch Cullen, David Murphy; Mark Ryan, Neil Gallagher; Shane Cleary, Steven Walsh (capt., 0-2 frees), Noah Stapleton (0-1); Darren Rossiter, Tommy Joe Furlong, Fionn Costello. Subs. (rolling) - Michael Kent, Seán Og Moore, Jonathan Jenkins, Joe Symes, Liam Murphy, Timmy Kinsella.
Referee: Patrick Kennedy (Buffers Alley).