Champs pass test
Flynn grabbed the first two points inside six minutes, converting a free after a foul on Páraic Conway and then availing of good vision from Kenneth Cahill to collect the ball in space on the right and double his tally.
Horeswood captain David Larkin came forward to open their account before Declan Murphy equalised from a free, but Conway restored the Gusserane lead with a glorious kick after cutting in from the left wing in the ninth minute.
Flynn availed of a weak Horeswood kick-out to widen the gap to 4-2, but a P.J. Banville free kept the challengers clipping at their heels before Mark O’Neill came up from corner-back to hook a golden goal chance to the right and wide for the eventual winners following a sublime Paul Wall pass.
There was great energy to the game as Kenneth Cahill and Seán Ryan widened the Gusserane lead to 0-6 to 0-3, only for the Banville brothers to assume centrestage in a very fruitful two-minute spell for Horeswood.
Eric was set up by Darren Shannon for a point before P.J. knocked over another free, and there was even better to come.
Defender Barry Hearn spotted a gap and embarked on a lung-bursting run down the middle before popping the ball to his left where Eric was on hand to direct it past Micheál Ryan for a 1-5 to 0-6 lead.
The response from Gusserane showed the maturity that comes automatically from going through a campaign unbeaten though. Certainly there was no question of panic as they hit back with four points on the bounce, courtesy of Kenneth Cahill, Adrian Flynn (free), Seán Ryan and Cillian Kehoe.
Still, it was anyone’s game at the interval after late scores from Darren Shannon and Seán Stafford brought Horeswood back to parity (1-7 to 0-10), with the sides having also shared eight wides.
It remained tight, tense and exciting right up to a three-point burst from Gusserane between the 55th and 59th minutes which ultimately led to victory.
Prior to that the gap was never more than one point, and they had been level on another five occasions.
Indeed, on no fewer than five occasions Gusserane edged back in front, only to be reeled in by Horeswood each and every time.
Graeme Cullen’s point was cancelled out by a P.J. Banville free, and Adrian Flynn then made it 0-12 to 1-8 before Banville latched on to a clever Leigh O’Brien ‘45 to equalise yet again.
Liam Dillon had saved the day for Gusserane seconds earlier, scrambling the ball away from the goalmouth after a hit and hope kick by Darren Shannon was met with the fist of Eric Banville.
County colleagues Flynn and Banville (free) swapped further points, and when the on-fire Flynn registered again it was left to Declan Murphy to hit back (1-11 to 0-14).
Another young newcomer, Sam Wall, restored the Gusserane lead before Murphy levelled, but there was one big kick left in Gusserane.
It was kick-started by full-forward Paul Wall when he pointed after a Graeme Cullen run, and finally the holders managed to string two scores back-to-back as Sam Wall then set up Seán Ryan to establish a 0-17 to 1-12 lead.
It got even better when a move started by Gavin Sheehan deep in defence ended with a fisted point for Adrian Flynn.
Horeswood didn’t lie down as David Larkin led by example with his second score, but Ryan played a one-two with Cillian Kehoe and stroked over the last point of a fascinating contest to finally decide this very enjoyable meeting of two well-prepared teams. HE ANNUAL Casey Cup will return to Park Lane this Sunday, April 30, after last season’s away fixture and will see various sides from both Greystones R.F.C. and Wexford Wanderers face off in the annual end-of-season celebration.
The annual event is held in honour of former club member and minis player Casey Ryan who died in tragic circumstances a number of years ago.
Casey originally learned to play rugby in Greystones as a minis player where he watched his father and uncles don the green and white hoops of the Wicklow side.
When his family relocated to Wexford he continued to excel at minis level in the blue and black of Wexford Wanderers. Shortly after Casey’s passing, the Ryan family instigated the competition as a way to honour his memory for his wide circle of friends in both Wexford and Greystones.
The activities will commence early on Sunday morning when the minis teams from both sides compete from 10.30 a.m., before the older youths sides get in on the action.
This season will see youths sides from Wexford and Greystones joined by West Offaly Lions, Portlaoise and tourists from Leamington in England.
These are then followed by the Senior Vixens and the marquee match of the day when the Golden Oldies face off at 2.20 p.m. The day finishes with the Senior men from both clubs competing at 3 p.m.
Further details about match times and arrangements will be confirmed during the week, and players, parents and supporters should follow the club on Facebook or Twitter ‘@wexfordwrfc’ or sign up to the weekly club newsletter at wexfordwrfc@gmail.com where all details will be clarified.