Holders in command as Ferns crash out
Ferns fall despite numerical boost
WHEN ST. Martin’s needed leadership, Jack O’Connor stepped forward with an inspirational display to guide his 14-man side to a fully-deserved seven-point victory over Ferns St. Aidan’s in this Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship quarter-final in Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday.
It’s now almost scripted that no matter what the test, St. Martin’s have the squad to deal with it.
They played their way through the group stage, despite their injuries and players abroad, with such confidence and composure that it was always expected they were capable of stepping up another level once the championship hit its defining stage.
However, their supporters must have felt their title was in jeopardy when Jake Firman was red-carded following an off-the-ball incident after just 18 minutes.
Although their 14 men dug in, their one-point lead did not look sufficient having to turn around and play into the breeze, and meeting a Ferns side whose confidence should have been high at this stage.
St. Martin’s may have appeared to be down and out, but on this occasion the side came of age. Inspired by the merciless Jack O’Connor, they went on to produce their finest half hour of hurling yet, even surpassing the many strong displays when annexing the title last year.
Jack O’Connor took hold of this game, realising that it was going to take a special effort to decide how it would pan out, and, linking between defence, midfield and the half-forward line, he provided all the options for his colleagues as they completely outclassed the opposition through the second 30 minutes.
While Ferns had to play second fiddle to his massive display of composure and hurling skill, his cousin, Joe O’Connor, playing his first game after a knee ligament injury, stepped up with two magnificent goals, one in each half.
Ferns hurled with confidence in the opening half, so much so that when trailing by just one point at the break, with the extra man and breeze to take them into the second-half, many felt it was their opportunity to cause the first real upset of the championship.
But they were unable to bring their game to the same level as their opponents as they were outclassed through the second period.
The seven-point deficit was flattering, since their second goal, an Ian Byrne free in additional time, came with the second last puck.
Jack O’Connor (line ball) and Ian Byrne (free) exchanged opening points, with Mikey Coleman and Christopher O’Connor (free) going on to do likewise.
The opening goal arrived after eight minutes. Ferns showed some fine approach play, before Christopher O’Connor got the ball across the face of the goal for Eoin Murphy to apply the finishing touch at the second attempt, leaving his side leading by 1-2 to 0-2.
Massive Jack O’Connor pointed frees followed, while Paul Morris got in on the scoring act with two fine points from acute angles.
An excellent Barry O’Connor point left the minimum separating the sides approaching the interval, while two minutes into additional time, St. Martin’s received a crucial break.
A long ball out of defence broke into the path of Joe O’Connor who kept his composure on a fine run forward, only to see his initial shot blocked by the ‘keeper, Michael Walsh, but he followed through to send the rebound to the net.
Ian Byrne closed out the firsthalf scoring with a pointed ‘65, leaving St. Martin’s with the minimum lead (1-8 to 1-7) at the interval.
One expected a Ferns surge on the resumption, particularly after an Ian Byrne pointed 50-metre free had the sides level within three minutes of the re-start.
But this failed to materialise, as St. Martin’s seemed determined to put the outcome beyond doubt, as their 14-man side took their game to another level.
Jack O’Connor was winning lots of possession, but more importantly he was utilising this ball to his side’s advantage, and by the end of the third quarter they led by 1-12 to 1-9, with Ferns clearly struggling.
They had extended that lead to 1-16 to 1-10 with seven minutes remaining when the best score of the game arrived.
St. Martin’s linked the ball quickly out of defence down the left flank on the open terrace side, leaving substitute Conor Coleman to send a delightful ball across the goal where he picked out Joe O’Connor, who flashed a great shot to the net from 14 metres.
That put the issue beyond doubt, with the holders now leading by 2-16 to 1-10.
The final play as a result was totally academic with the Ferns goal, an Ian Byrne free, coming in additional time, as the losers were left shell-shocked such was the ferocity of that second-half Martin’s effort.
St. Martin’s: Luke White; Conor Firman, Patrick O’Connor, Willie Devereux; Daithí Waters, Aaron Maddock, Paudie Kelly (0-1); Mark Maloney (0-1), Joe O’Connor (2-2); Ben Maddock (0-1), Jack O’Connor (0-8, 6 frees, 1 line ball), Barry O’Connor (0-1); Mikey Coleman (0-1), Ciarán Lyng (0-2, 1 free), Jake Firman. Subs. - Harry O’Connor (0-1) for B. Maddock (35), Conor Coleman for M. Coleman (48), Darren Codd for B. O’Connor (55), Jack Devereux for Joe O’Connor (58), Barry O’Connor for A. Maddock, inj. (59).
Ferns St. Aidan’s: Michael Walsh; Conor Scallan, John Breen, Declan Byrne; James Tonks, Gavin Bailey, Brian O’Neill; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Niall Murphy; Jonny Dwyer (0-2), Ian Byrne (1-3, 1-2 frees, 0-1 ‘65), Eoin Murphy (1-1); Christopher O’Connor (0-1 free), Chris Turner, Paul Morris (03). Subs. - James Lawlor for T. Dwyer, temp. (9-12), Ciarán Roberts for O’Neill (54), Lawlor for J. Dwyer (55).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James’).