South sweep home
Second-half show downs Tipperary
SOUTH WEXFORD TIPPERARY SOUTH 3-15 1-14 AN EXCELLENT second-half display enhanced South Wexford’s chances of qualifying for the knockout stages as they totally outclassed Tipperary in this exciting Under-17 hurling Celtic Challenge game at O’Kennedy Park, New Ross, on Wednesday.
South Wexford remained in the hunt through the opening 30 minutes, at the end of which they trailed by a point, as the Premier county side had controlled the opening quarter to lead by 1-3 to 0-4.
But the second quarter saw gradual improvement from the South Wexford boys, with Jamie Myler particularly outstanding at centre-back.
Along with fine displays from Ricky McGrath, Ben Maddock and Gavin Sheehan, they succeeded in closing out the Tipperary attack.
With Eoin O’Neill and Chris Cowman gaining control in midfield, the attack through the accuracy of Kyle Firman, Seán Nolan and James Kelly picked off some excellent points, which left them trailing by the minimum at the interval.
By the eleventh minute Tipperary had moved into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead, their goal coming from Niall Hoctor.
However, the South Wexford boys began to pick off some excellent long-range points both from play and frees, through Nolan, Firman and Kelly, which left them trailing by 1-6 to 0-8 at the interval.
It was important for South Wexford to start the second-half impressively.
This they managed to achieve as within 30 seconds of the re- start, a long ball to the fringe of the square broke where Sam Wall reacted quickest to send a first-time ground shot to the net, giving his side a two-point cushion (1-8 to 1-6).
Tipperary responded with three Cathal Bourke pointed frees to regain the lead but it was to be shortlived.
James Kelly, having collected the ball outfield, made an excellent run straight through the centre before laying off to Jack O’Leary who finished with an excellent shot to the net from 14 metres.
Entering the closing ten minutes just four points separated the sides (2-12 to 1-11), but the South Wexford boys were now playing all the quality hurling, securing their deserved victory five minutes from the end.
Jamie Myler floated a long free into the danger zone where Sam Wall pounced to fire home an excellent goal, securing a deserved and impressive victory for the home side.
South Wexford: Callum Quirke; Philip Dempsey, Ricky McGrath, Darragh Cooper; Ben Maddock, Jamie Myler, Gavin Sheehan; Chris Cowman, Eoin O’Neill; Seán Nolan (0-5), James Kelly (0-2), Kyle Firman (0-6, 3 frees); Sam Wall (2-0), Jack O’Leary (1-1), Kyle Roche. Subs. - Adam Hearne for Cooper, Adam Cantwell (0-1) for Roche, Daire Reville for Kelly, Christopher Reville for O’Leary, Philip Rawson for O’Neill.
Tipperary South: Luke Delahunty; Stephen O’Brien, Donnacha Quirke, Eoin McCormack; Paul O’Heney, Fiacra Scott, Niall Heffernan; Cormack Maher, Darren Dwyer; Eoghan Brett (0-1), Conal Donovan (0-1), Josh Macken; Niall Hoctor (1-1), Cathal Bourke (0-9, 5 frees), Ross Bonner (0-2). Subs. - Jack Lyons (0-2) for Quirke, Matthew Moroney for Brett, Jordan Hayes for Macken, Conor Leahy for Maher.
Referee: John Kennedy (Kilkenny).