One-game ban given to O’Connor
WHILE ST. Martin’s are fully focused on their Pettitt’s Senior hurling final clash with St. Anne’s on Sunday, they must do so in the likely absence of ace attacker Rory O’Connor.
The semi-final victory over Ferns St. Aidan’s came at a cost as they had O’Connor dismissed on a straight red card by referee Justin Heffernan following an off-the-ball incident, a decision which took much of the glamour away from their qualification.
Following a consideration of the referee’s report, the Wexford C.C.C.C. handed down a one-game ban to O’Connor which he must serve in the county final, thus denying the quality showpiece of Wexford hurling one of the best young forward talents in the game.
While O’Connor is in the running for an All Star along with Young Hurler of the Year, it will do nothing to diminish the disappointment of assisting his club in the county final.
The club will be trying to keep things in perspective, but O’Connor’s enforced absence could prove a huge setback to their title credentials.
However, St. Martin’s are now likely to go through the appeals process, but given the record of such appeals they will only be holding out a slim hope that they can overturn the one-match ban.
Despite this, the club will do everything possible to have their star player available, particularly as Cathal Dunbar, sent-off in last year’s semi-final, was cleared at the eleventh hour to assist Naomh Eanna in their historic final victory over St. Martin’s.
Despite the loss of O’Connor in the semi-final, St. Martin’s are still standing, with many still feeling that given their strength in depth they are strong enough to overcome his likely absence.
Their physicality and aggression was back to near where it had been in the past in their semi-final victory, and that is where they need it to be to counter what will be a tough challenge from St. Anne’s.
There are no hiding places now, but there’s not sufficient evidence to suggest that St. Anne’s have reached a place to deny St. Martin’s the title in what will be a first-ever final between the sides.