Derby ends in stalemate
ST. MARY’S C.B.S. 1-13 F.C.J. (BUNCLODY) 1-13
DESPITE THE best efforts of both teams, the outcome of this local derby ended with the sides level (1-13 each) in the league stage of the Top Oil Leinster Schools Senior hurling ‘B’ championship.
Played on a greasy sod in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, on Tuesday, this was a vital contest for both sides, as C.B.S. had been already defeated by Coláiste Mhuire (Johnstown), while F.C.J. were due to meet the Kilkenny school yesterday (Monday).
There was little between the sides throughout, with the tally being virtually score for score.
Two early points for F.C.J. – both from their free-taker in chief Tom Kinsella – was more than compensated for by a goal for C.B.S. in the tenth minute, when mercurial full-forward Brody Murphy shot to the roof of the net.
Pointed frees from both centre-forwards – Kinsella for F.C.J. and Mark Byrne for C.B.S. – still left a point between them, but a scrambled goal for the visitors midway through the half edged them two points in front (1-3 to 1-1).
However, five points for C.B.S. in the second quarter, three from free-taker Mark Byrne, plus one each from Oisín Pepper and Brody Murphy, versus three for the opposition – courtesy of Oisín Ó Ceallaigh, Eoin McDonnell and free-taker Kinsella – left the sides level at half-time (1-6 each).
The third quarter went mostly the Bunclody way. After two early points from Joe Whelan and Oisín Pepper for C.B.S., the visitors from Bunclody shot over six unanswered points, four from dead balls courtesy of the very accurate Tom Kinsella, with the other two from Martin Byrne and Pádraig Kinsella.
The greasy underfoot conditions didn’t help the standard of hurling, with both sides losing control of the ball on several occasions.
However, it didn’t lessen the effort put in, with neither of them willing to concede anything to their opponents. Entering the final quarter, F.C.J. led by three points (1-12 to 1-9).
However, C.B.S. claimed the final quarter, with Corey Dunbar taking over free-taking responsibility. His three points levelled the game, with Brody Murphy for C.B.S., and Pádraig Kinsella for F.C.J., bringing proceedings to a close.
F.C.J. (Bunclody): Derry Mahon; Ronan Dillon, Lorcan Doyle, Seb Rynhart; Tomás Kirwan, Páraic Nolan, Páraic Hayden; Oisín Ó Ceallaigh (0-1), Eoin McDonnell (0-1); Brian Stafford (0-1), Tom Kinsella (0-8, 7 frees), Martin Byrne; Pádraig Kinsella (0-2), Ciarán Regan, Matthew Ging (1-0). Subs. - Tiernan Fitzhenry, Noah Kearney, Tommy Atkinson, Darragh Heffernan.
Enniscorthy C.B.S.: Cathal Byrne; Kieran Murphy, Darragh Hayes, Josh Waldron; Aaron Byrne, Eddie Kelly, Joe Whelan (0-1); Ronan O’Leary, Shane Kehoe; Joe Kelly, Mark Byrne (0-4 frees), James Mernagh; Oisín Pepper (0-3), Brody Murphy (1-2), Cathal Roche. Subs. - Corey Dunbar (0-3), Aaron Cummins, Peter Gahan, Mikey Kelly, Aidan Denton.