Subs do major damage
OYLEGATE/G-BRIEN HWH-BUNCLODY 1-20 1-15X
THE LATE introduction of minor duo, Tom White and Jack Reck proved to be decisive in this closely fought Enniscorthy District Junior B hurling final, as the substitutes combined to score 1-2 in the closing stages which allowed Oylegate-Glenbrien overcome HWH-Bunclody in Farmleigh on Tuesday.
There was very little separating the sides throughout with both sides entertaining the crowd in a very competitive game, but it was Bunclody who had the advantage going into the closing stages, holding on to a two-point lead with ten minutes remaining.
At this point the game completely changed, as Reck and White brought a new level of energy to the Oylegate side both hitting and setting up points giving them a slight lead, before White delivered the killer blow in the final minutes with a well taken goal.
Bunclody were off to a great start after a Mick Murphy free was helped to the net by J.P Connors who was proving a real nuisance for the Oylegate defence.
It was a lead that was short-lived however, as Oylgate subsequently took their chances a lot better, with Ciarán O’Brien and Barry Doyle popping up with some tidy scores and Brian Doran who was finding the range from placed balls, giving his side a two-point advantage at half-time.
Bunclody lifted their performance to no end in the second-half with midfield pairing of Jamie John Murphy and Matty Byrne leading the way, they fought back to go ahead midway through the half with scores from Byrne and Mick Murphy who was having a real shoot-out with his opposing free-taker, Doran.
Barry Doyle was in glorious form and hit back for Oylegate with two gems which were matched by two equally memorable scores from Josh Murphy, putting his side two up with ten minutes remaining.
At this point the intervention of Reck and White proved crucial as they game turned on its head with White’s goal the moment that it was evident Oylegate would take the cup home.
Oylegate-Glenbrien: Eddie Mernagh; Lee Kehoe, Peader O’Mahoney, Ciarán Lambert; Padraig O’Connor, Daithi O’Mahoney, Davey Phillips; Brian Doran, Evan Kelly; Pierce Murphy, Peter Nolan, Ciarán O’Brien; John Lambert, Tomás Stamp, Barry Doyle. Subs: Tom White for Murphy, Jack Reck for Kelly, Ryan Hill for Phillips.
HWH-Bunclody: James Crean; Diarmuid Crean, Josh Martin, Paul Jackman; Stephen Kavanagh, Thomas O’Neill, Paddy Dunbar; Matty Byrne, Jamie John Murphy; Kevin Dunne, Mick Murphy (capt.), Darren Murphy; Mikey Connors, J.P. Connors, Adrian Handrick. Subs. - Mikes Connors for Handrick, Jamie Farrell for J. Crean, Enda Murphy for D. Murphy.
Referee: Brendan Martin (Ballyhogue).