Bunclody win by a goal
HWH-BUNCLODY SHAMROCKS
ONE GOAL was all that separated HWH-Bunclody and Shamrocks after a keenly-fought contest in The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate hurling championship Group B in Farmleigh on Saturday.
HWH-Bunclody were firm favourites to triumph, but they were made to work right to the end by their opponents for a hard-earned win.
HWH-Bunclody welcomed back talisman Aidan Nolan to the starting 15 and he pointed as they raced into an early lead, helped by scores from Eddie Dunbar, Seán Kenny, Billy Kelly and Eoin Kelly.
A brace of frees from Shamrocks corner-forward Pa Weafer and a point from Brandon O’Connor meant it was 0-7 to 0-3 midway through the first-half.
Bunclody were the better side and extended their lead when Cathal Doyle found the net in the 24th minute. At the interval the scoreline of 1-10 to 0-5 did not flatter HWH-Bunclody.
After the break a brilliant John O’Connor point reduced the deficit to seven, but the Shamrocks were hit with a sucker punch when Eddie Dunbar found the net for HWH-Bunclody after a fine run, putting them 2-12 to 0-8 in front.
By this stage HWH-Bunclody looked like they would cruise to a win but the Shamrocks had different ideas. A fine run and point from Seán Wildes got them going and they went on to dominate the remainder of the game.
Ten minutes from time Jack Moorehouse caught a great ball and rifled it to the net to give the Enniscorthy men hope.
Points from Lar McDonald and a couple of frees from Pa Weafer left only a goal between the sides with five minutes to play.
By this stage HWH-Bunclody were out on their feet but, despite a late onslaught which included a number of goalmouth scrambles, they hung on to claim a deserved victory on a scoreline of 2-14 to 1-14.
HWH-Bunclody: Art O’Neill; Tadhg Kelly, Conor Crean, David Reck; Enda Slevin, Seán Kenny (0-1), John Dunne; Colm Farrell, Billy Kelly (0-7, 6 frees); Eoin Kelly (0-3), Aidan Nolan (0-1), Eddie Black (0-1); Cathal Doyle (10), Kevin Dunne, Eddie Dunbar (1-1). Subs. - Peter Atkinson for K. Dunne (43), Conor Hendrick for Atkinson, inj. (47), Jason Cowman for Dunbar.
Shamrocks: Jamie Dagg; Barry Dobbs, Podge Doyle, George Jacob; Lar McDonald (0-1), Brandon O’Connor (0-1), Seán Wildes (0-1); Bob Jacob, Cyril Thorpe (0-2); Philip Freeman, Emmet Quirke, John O’Connor (0-1); Pa Weafer (0-5, 4 frees, 1 ‘65), Harry Goff, Jack Moorehouse (1-3). Sub. - Maurice Casey for Quirke (37).
Referee: Paul Browne (Clonee).