Fethard hang on in thrilling finale to claim their first title

FETHARD 1-17 JOHN LOCKES 2-11 LEINSTER CLUB JHC FINAL

AN excellent first-half performance – which included a Graham O’Grady goal after 16 minutes – enabled Fethard to create a piece of history at Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday.

The Wexford champions went in at the break leading by 1-10 to 0-5, with centre-forward Mark Wallace striking over some great points from frees.

James Power, meanwhile, was keeping the Kilkenny standardbearers in contention with some good scores.

Having blitzed the Lockes through the opening half, Fethard had to depend on some staunch defending in the closing stages.

PENALTY

A Ryan Bergin goal from a penalty left six points separating the sides five minutes from the end, 1-16 to 1-0.

Shane Bergin scored John Lockes’ second goal almost immediately to set up a frantic finish.

In the end, though, Fethard held firm to secure their first provincial club title in thrilling fashion.

They were particularly indebted to Gareth Foley, who gave a glorious display at midfield, while Wallace finished with a tally of nine points, with seven of them coming from frees.

SCORERS – Fethard: G O’Grady 1-1; M Wallace 0-9, (7f), C Dwyer, G Foley 0-2 each; D Barden, E Power, M Dwyer 0-1 each. John Lockes: R Bergin 1-1 (1pen); S Bergin 1-0; J Power 0-6 (4f); S Power 0-2; P Kennedy, R Kerwick 0-1 each.

FETHARD: S Foley; M Power, R Tubritt, D Mullan; R Waters, K Rowe, J Sutton; G Foley, J Tubritt; E Power, M Wallace, D Barden; C Dwyer, G O’Grady, M Dwyer. Subs: B O Donoghue for Barden (tempHT) O’Donoghue for Barden (52), D Foley for Power (63). JOHN LOCKES: I Burke; B Kirwan, B McDowell, C McGrath; T Delaney, O McGrath, J Corcoran; J McDowell, S Power; P Kennedy, J Power, R Bergin; E Scriven, D McCormack, R Kerwick. Subs: S Bergin for Scriven (HT), J O’Neill for McDonnell (34), C Murphy for Kennedy (49).

REF – T Gleeson (Dublin)