Improved show in third Gold loss
KILKENNY AMBER 1-11 WEXFORD GOLD 0-7
THE PERFORMANCE was much improved, even though ultimately the outcome was the same in the MW Hire Training Centre, Dunmore, on Wednesday when Wexford Gold lost their third contest in the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge Under-17 hurling competition by double scores.
Kilkenny Amber triumphed by seven points after a contest that was closer than the scoreline might suggest, with the visitors denied what appeared to be a legitimate goal in the 51st minute at a stage when they were applying lots of pressure.
They were trailing by 1-10 to 0-6 when Anthony Murphy played a short free to Conor Morris whose low drive struck a defender and fell nicely for Ben O’Connor who rattled the net from close range. Kilkenny referee John Guinan was summoned to the goalmouth by his umpires and, after some brief discussion a free out was awarded despite strong Wexford protestations.
That dubious decision was a crushing blow to the eventual losers who went into the game on the back of two heavy defeats to Meath Royals and Wexford Purple.
However, they were determined to atone on this occasion and more than held their own in a quite bizarre first-half. It took a mere 14 seconds for Kilkenny Amber full-forward David O’Carroll to register the opening point, but amazingly this was the only score from play up to the interval.
It developed into a shooting contest between free-takers thereafter, with the home side 0-6 to 0-3 clear at the break after Declan Buggy nailed five placed balls while Anthony Murphy converted three at the other end.
Kilkenny were ahead in the wides count too (5-2) and looked to have a more dangerous attack, but Wexford Gold must have entertained high hopes of overhauling them after Conor Morris won the throw-in on the re-start and needed just ten seconds to solo clear and pick off their first point from play.
Scores from Stephen Donnelly and free-taker Buggy pushed Kilkenny 8-4 clear though, with Murphy and Buggy swapping further placed balls before the locals struck for a decisive goal in the 40th minute.
It came when David O’Carroll caught a high delivery by Michael Power but initially took the wrong option by attempting a pass when he had room to shoot. The ball broke back into his path though, and he didn’t need another invitation as he rattled the net from close range (1-9 to 0-5).
Ben O’Connor availed of a Niall Murphy handpass to pull back a point, with Stephen Donnelly cancelling that out before a good save by Kevin Cosgrave to deny Michael Power was followed by that big square ball call.
Declan Buggy pointed another free before Wexford closed the scoring when Anthony Murphy found his twin, John, who split the posts.
Wexford Gold: Kevin Cosgrave (Oylegate-Glenbrien); Philip Redmond (Rathnure), Niall Parker (Oylegate-Glenbrien), Nathan Byrne (Naomh Eanna); Evan O’Dwyer (Naomh Eanna), John Murphy (Rapparees, 0-1), Seán O’Neill (Adamstown); Glen Carton (St. Patrick’s), Ben O’Connor (Tara Rocks, capt., 0-1); Jack Fortune (Crossabeg-Ballymurn), Anthony Murphy (Rapparees, 0-4 frees), Tadhg Kelly (HWH-Bunclody); Tomás Cosgrave (Oylegate-Glenbrien), Ethan Freeman (Oulart-The Ballagh), Jamie Doyle (Buffers Alley). Subs. - Conor Morris (St. Patrick’s, 0-1) for Carton, inj. (21), Niall Murphy (Ferns St. Aidan’s) for Doyle (HT), Alex Sludds (Crossabeg-Ballymurn) for Fortune (38), Cameron O’Leary (Rathnure) for Freeman (43), Robert McGuinness (Blackwater) for O’Neill (47), Aaron Doyle (Shelmaliers) for Redmond (50), Paudie Bailey (Geraldine O’Hanrahans) for T. Cosgrave (50).
Kilkenny Amber: Seán Manogue; Seán Phelan, Cathal Holland, Paddy Brennan; Rory Breen, Robert Doheny, Dan Comerford; Darragh Corcoran, Fergus Byrne; Jake Dwyer, Declan Duggan, Declan Buggy (0-8 frees); Stephen Donnelly (0-2), David O’Carroll (1-1), Dylan Carey. Subs. (all used) - Michael Power, Shane Maher, Martin O’Connell, Aaron Okoroh, Robbie Fitzgerald, Danny Coyne, Paddy Doyle, David Blanchfield.
Referee: John Guinan (Kilkenny).