Fethard survive late scare

ALL-IRELAND CLUB JHC

FETHARD had to survive a late goal onslaught from Brother Pearses before eventually emerging with a three-point victory in Ruislip.

Fethard were the favourites, but they took a while to get going, before the expert point-taking of Mikie Dwyer, Mark Wallace and Darren Foley edged them into a 0-7 to 0-6 interval lead, with dead-ball efforts from outstanding centreback Kevin Reid and Tony Clarke keeping the hosts in contention.

However, the Wexford club were transformed after the break, despite being reduced to 14 players four minutes into the second period after Graham O’Grady received a straight red card. With Dwyer and Garret Foley striking excellent points they coasted into a 0-18 to 0-9 lead.

Pearses were handed a lifeline when Philip Hogan goaled and after Reid’s long range free ended in the net a minute later, just three points separated the sides, but Fethard held firm to move through to the All-Ireland semi-final.

SCORERS – Fethard: M Wallace 0-7 (7f), M Dwyer 0-6, G Foley 0-3, G O’Grady 0-2. Bro. Pearses: K Reid 1-2 (1-1f, 1 ‘65), P Hogan 1-1, T Clarke 0-4 (1f), E Sheils, C Kennedy 0-1 each. FETHARD – S Foley; M Power, R Tubrid, D Mullen; J Sutton, K Rowe, R Waters; G Foley, J Tubritt; E Power, M Wallace, D Barden; C Dwyer, G O’Grady, M Dwyer. Subs: B Donohoe for E Power; D Foley for C Dwyer.

BRO PEARSES – M Noonan; J. Bermingham, P Muldoon, B Smith; D Sexton, K Reid, N Murphy; S Frawley, E Sheils; J Greaney, P Hogan, S Page; D Connolly, C Kennedy, T Clarke. Sub: J Joyce for Greaney.

REF – S Hynes (Galway).