HISTORIC DAY FOR NAOMH ÉANNA

NAOMH ÉANNA made history with a four point victory over reigning champions, St. Martin’s, in a thrilling Wexford senior hurling final. Appearing in their first ever decider, Naomh Éanna produced a stunning second half display playing into the strong breeze. They were 1-7 to 0-7 up at the break and St. Martin’s never managed to take control in the second half, as the Naomh Éanna defence put up the shutters and when Cathal Dunbar fired home a 55th minute goal, the favourites were in serious trouble. After a tense start St. Martin’s must have been happy at half-time just three points adrift and playing with the wind in the second half. They created a goal chance within thirty seconds of the restart when Barry O’Connor found himself in space but keeper Barry Kinsella saved well. As Naomh Éanna grew in confidence they picked off some superb scores and led 1-10 to 0-11 entering the final five minutes, when Cathal Dunbar shot low to the net. After Jack O’Connor and Dunbar exchanged points, O’Connor had a free for goal deflected over the bar, but Naomh Éanna survived to record a brilliant win.

NAOMH ÉANNA: B Kinsella; P Travers, B Travers, E Molloy; J Cullen, S Doyle, E Conroy; A Doyle (J Cushe 63); G Molloy; C McGuckin (C Hughes 64), P Doyle, D Hughes (L Kinsella 62); D O’Brien (W Cullen 45), C McDonald, C Dunbar. Scorers: C Dunbar 1-4; C McDonald 1-1; P Doyle (1f) 0-4; D Hughes 0-2 (2f).

ST. MARTIN’S: L White; C Firman, P O’Connor (B Maddock 39), W Devereux; D Waters, A Maddock, M Codd; M Maloney, Joe O’Connor; R O’Connor, Jack O’Connor, B O’Connor (M Coleman 33); J Firman (J Coleman 47), C Lyng, H O’Connor (C Coleman 59).

Scorers: Jack O’Connor 0-4 (3f); C Lyng 0-3 (2f); R O’Connor 0-2; M Codd, Joe O’Connor, J Firman, H O’Connor 0-1.

Referee: G McGrath.