Derby to determine U21 county champions
Crossabeg-Ballymurn’s consistency set for ultimate test
CROSSABEG-B’MURN 2-11 FORTH AND BARGY 1-5
THE MOST consistent club at Under-21 level over the past three campaigns will defend their Greenstar Premier championship title against next-door neighbours Shelmaliers after two goals in the last quarter eventually shook off a persistent Forth and Bargy Gaels side in this tough-tackling semi-final on Saturday.
Home side Crossabeg-Ballymurn incredibly haven’t lost a game at this level since the Wexford District Roinn 1 final of 2013, and that was ironically enough to Our Lady’s Island/St. Fintan’s who supplied two-thirds of the opposition this time around along with St. Mary’s (Rosslare).
The Over The Water lads went on to beat Ballyhogue in the county Roinn 1 decider in 2014, before adding a first-ever Premier crown on their maiden voyage at that level against Starlights last year.
It’s an especially fine record given the absence of a strong tradition in a parish where hurling was always regarded as number one. However, these talented young men have put football on the map during their rise through the ranks, and Saturday’s final will be a ‘decider’ in every sense of the word as it will pit the Premier champions of 2014 and 2015 together.
Referee John O’Loughlin was intent on letting this game flow, with just 18 frees awarded (eleven to the winners) which ensured the pace was hectic from the off, with few opportunities for a breather.
Forth and Bargy had first use of whatever wind advantage there was, although it was negligible on a fine afternoon. Cian Meyler kicked them in front in the fifth minute, with Glen Murphy levelling from a free before Daire Heffernan swung one over for the group team with his left peg.
Oran Maddock latched on to a line ball from the opposite side of the field to shoot the second equaliser for Crossabeg-Ballymurn in the eighth minute, and they hit the front for the first time from a Bill Eviston kick which went over via a post. A first-time drive by Conor Barlow forced Eoin Cummins into a fine save at the expense of a fruitless ’45, but Crossabeg-Ballymurn were starting to look sharp with the Devereux brothers prominent.
Full-back Oisín Foley also did a fine job in keeping tabs on opposition dangerman Donal Shanley, and the holders doubled their lead in the 26th minute when Ronan Devereux finished a move featuring Robert Byrne and Oran Maddock (0-4 to 0-2).
Captain and county Under-21 goalkeeper Ben Turner was seen at his best shortly afterwards, diving low to keep out Cian Meyler’s instinctive swing at the ball from a David Gouldson handpass.
A solo point from Ronan Devereux made it 5-2 before his namesake with the opposition, Cathal, was unlucky to see a long-range kick from the left come back into play off the crossbar. However, the Island lad did set up Donal Shanley for a point a few seconds into added time, leaving two between them at the break.
Both sides had goal chances on the re-start, with Conor Maddock hitting the side-netting for the leaders after an Oran Maddock point attempt rebounded off the bar, before Cian Meyler pulled a low shot wide at the other end.
Glen Murphy also missed the target for Crossabeg-Ballymurn before they suffered a big blow when centre-forward Bill Eviston limped off after treatment for a leg injury. And even though his replacement, Shane Whelan, contributed a great deal to ultimate victory, the number 11 would be a huge loss if he’s ruled out of the final.
Donal Shanley pointed a free off the ground in the 40th minute to reduce arrears to the minimum (0-5 to 0-4), but Conor Maddock - who had moved into the right corner - hit back for the locals before Glen Murphy latched on to a punched clearance from Eoin Cummins and returned it over the bar with interest.
Forth and Bargy received a significant boost though in the 45th minute when excellent initial work in defence by Peter Goldsmith laid the foundations for an equalising goal.
The ball was eventually hooked into the square from the left by Donal Shanley, with Cian Meyler getting an initial touch before substitute Adam Devereux appeared to have the final say in knocking it over the line (1-4 to 0-7).
It was an undoubted setback for Crossabeg-Ballymurn, but they responded like true champions. After Glen Murphy knocked over a free, Ronan and Paddy Devereux combined to find Conor Maddock who wasn’t interested in grabbing a handy point as he crashed a thunderbolt of a shot to the net via a post (1-8 to 1-4).
Wing-back Conor Barlow came forward to finish a move featuring Oran Maddock and Shane Whelan, although Forth and Bargy were only inches away from adding a second goal in the 50th minute.
Quinn Saunders cut through the middle and was left to curse his luck as hit shot skimmed the crossbar and went over to reduce arrears to four (1-9 to 1-5).
It was only in the closing stages that Crossabeg-Ballymurn made certain of victory, and in fairness the final margin of nine points is a little unfair on Forth and Bargy.
Still, there could be no disputing the fact that the home side were superior, with Glen Murphy pointing another free before full-forward Robert Byrne ensured that all six starting attackers contributed at least one score from play.
In fact, he went even better, kicking a point from a David Kehoe pass before putting the icing on the cake in the 58th minute when Oran Maddock picked him out and he rattled the net to ensure a final pairing that will have them all talking in the Over The Water area during the week.
A minute’s silence was observed before the game for the late Noel Goff of Kilrane who was laid to his eternal rest earlier on Saturday.
A native of Enniscorthy and a Senior hurling medal-winner with Rapparees in 1978, he went on to devote countless hours to the St. Mary’s (Rosslare) club and was manager on arguably the greatest day in their history when they lifted the Junior hurling championship title in 1999.
He also gave admirable service to the county as a referee and an umpire and will be sorely missed by all who warmed to his infectious laugh. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Crossabeg-Ballymurn: Ben Turner (capt.); Martin Redmond, Oisín Foley, Conor Gormley; Eoin O’Connor, Pádraig Foley, Conor Barlow (0-1); Paddy Devereux, David Kehoe; Ronan Devereux (0-2), Bill Eviston (0-1), Conor Maddock (1-1); Glen Murphy (0-4, 3 frees), Robert Byrne (1-1), Oran Maddock (0-1). Sub. - Shane Whelan for Eviston, inj. (39).
Forth and Bargy Gaels: Eoin Cummins (SF); Ciarán Sheil (SMR), Shea Boggan (SMR), Peter Goldsmith (SF); David Gouldson (SMR), Naomhan Rossiter (SMR), Cathal Devereux (OLI); Eoin O’Callaghan (SF), Jim Rossiter (SF); Quinn Saunders (OLI, 0-1), Cian Boggan (SMR), Cian Meyler (OLI, 0-1); Daire Heffernan (SMR, 0-1), Donal Shanley (SF, capt., 0-2, 1 free), Tom Cullen (SF). Subs. - Rob Cloney (OLI) for Sheil (22), Adam Devereux (OLI, 1-0) for Cullen (26), Sheil for J. Rossiter, temp. (52-55).
Referee: John O’Loughlin (Monageer-Boolavogue).