Lights out for Fethard hopes
HORESWOOD FETHARD 2-6 1-6
HORESWOOD DENIED Fethard a quarter-final spot as they recorded their only win in Group B of the Tom Doyle Supplies Senior football championship in O’Kennedy Park, New Ross, on Saturday.
Horeswood knew a win was necessary to have any chance of avoiding a dreaded relegation play-off, but St. James’ victory over Taghmon-Camross sealed their fate regardless.
What Horeswood and Fethard did serve up was far from perfection, but was tight enough to retain the onlooker’s interest into the dying moments.
The rain in New Ross didn’t help the quality of play, which was demonstrated with the scoring of just three points in the opening 20 minutes.
Horeswood took that early lead. Shane O’Hanlon opened the scoring from a dead-ball before Ryan Harris, David Shannon and Seán Nolan all linked up with the latter tapping over the minor.
Daire Barden halved his side’s deficit in a game which was dominated by the defences, before a quick double from John Tubritt and Kevin Rowe put Fethard ahead for the first time in the 21st minute (0-3 to 0-2).
Tubritt would register one more first-half point but it was after two important Horeswood scores.
The first was the game’s opening goal, when Paddy Murphy intercepted a wayward pass before playing a one-two with Declan Murphy and finishing off the post with the outside of his right boot.
Declan Murphy added the second, a point, himself moments later as Horeswood took a 1-3 to 0-4 lead into the interval.
The second-half was equally fragmented, with the rain still falling and referee Damien Donovan handing out yellow cards for fun, and Horeswood scored the first three points.
All came in quick succession, as Declan Murphy scored twice with David Larkin was on target in between.
St. Mogue’s eventually answered back in the 16th minute of the half, and their first score of the second period brought them right back into the game.
Joe Sutton reacted quickest to slot under Conor Swaine and raise the green flag after Rowe’s shot cannoned back off the upright.
Horeswood, wearing dark blue, answered back within five minutes to keep Fethard at arm’s length. Larkin fed Nolan who shot powerfully at goal, and Paul Foley got two firm hands on the effort but it wasn’t enough to keep the strike out of the net.
Rúairí Tubrid came off the bench to point and Graham O’Grady got his only score in the 58th minute to make it just a one score game going into injury time (2-6 to 1-6).
O’Grady had a chance to level it late on when he rounded numerous defenders but shot high and wide from a narrow angle to turn the lights off on Fethard’s season. Horeswood will battle it out against the win-less Sarsfields in the relegation decider.
Horeswood: Conor Swaine; Kevin Parker, Barry Hearn, Ryan Harris; Eddie Shiely, David Larkin (capt., 0-1), Steven Collins; Shane O’Hanlon (0-1 free), Paddy Murphy (1-0); Seán Nolan (1-1), Leigh O’Brien, Seán Stafford; Declan Murphy (0-3 frees), David Shannon, Michael O’Hanlon. Subs. - Gary Conway for P. Murphy, black card (45), Liam Shiely for Stafford (60), Niall Collins for Nolan (60).
Fethard: Paul Foley; Seán Donohoe, Daniel Mullan, Richie Waters; Chris Molloy, Graham O’Grady (capt., 0-1), Daire Barden (0-1); Jesse Foley, Kevin Rowe (0-1); Garrett Foley, Mark Wallace, Joe Sutton (1-0); Mikie Dwyer, John Tubritt (0-2), Brian O’Donohue. Subs. - Rúairí Tubrid (0-1) for Waters (48), Martin Power for Donohoe (52), Eddie Power for O’Donohue (55).
Referee: Damien Donovan (Volunteers).