Walsh strikes late leveller
St. James’ share the spoils on Under-13 trip to Ferns
FERNS ST. AIDAN’S ST. JAMES’
PAUL WALSH scored an equalising point with the last puck of the game to ensure hosts Ferns St. Aidan’s and St. James’ shared the spoils in a pulsating New Ross Standard Under-13 hurling championship Division 3 tie on Tuesday.
The Gorey District side looked to have snatched victory deep into added-time when the outstanding James Murray drilled a low, bouncing free into the net from 20 metres out, but there was still just enough time for Walsh to grab the draw.
It might be a cliché at this stage, but neither of these sides deserved to lose this thoroughly entertaining game.
Right from the first whistle this was full-bore, helter-skelter stuff as both teams went looking for the victory that would move them closer to the quarter-finals.
The first-half produced an exhibition of defensive play at both ends of the field.
In particular, the full-back lines were outstanding, with plenty of ball dumped into the goalmouth at both ends of the field leading to nothing.
Murray, who people are going to hear a lot more about in the years to come, grabbed two early points and the impressive Niall Logan added another as Ferns went 0-3 to 0-1 ahead.
Josh Doyle-Delaney cut the deficit to one before both sides struggled to add further scores in the next ten minutes.
In the last few moments of the half, Logan collected another pair of points and Murray also registered, bettering the two Walsh white flags at the other end, to give the home club a two-point advantage at the change of ends (0-6 to 0-4).
After Bobby Murray and Aaron Whelan exchanged points, Ferns made the first major statement when James Murray caught a long puck-out, soloed through and thumped a stunning shot high to Ronan Shannon’s net.
It was 1-9 to 0-6 midway through the half but St. James’ soon began to close the gap. The Ramsgrange boys netted when Jayden Cheevers, now at full-forward, flashed home from close range after being picked out by Joe O’Brien.
They went 2-8 to 1-10 in front when Paul Walsh slalomed through to net as the game moved towards the last few minutes. Cheevers put them two ahead, only for Murray’s second goal and Walsh’s last-gasp point to leave the game deadlocked at full-time.
Both of these sides are in great position to make the quarter-finals with one game left.
Ferns need to avoid defeat against Horeswood to be certain of their spot, while St. James’ will book their place with a win against Cloughbawn.
Ferns St. Aidan’s: Charlie Murphy; Danny Fay-Nolan, Stephen O’Toole, Jack Curran; Seán Gahan, Max Meegan, Jack Young; James Murray (2-5, 1-1 frees), Danny Dreelan; Tomás Dunne, Niall Logan (0-4), Bobby Murray (0-1); Paul Kehoe, William Kavanagh, Gavin O’Sullivan. Sub. (rolling) - Adam Kehoe.
St. James’: Jayden Cheevers (11); Finn O’Connor, Joe O’Brien, Liam Walsh; Sam Foley, Cosmo Hewlett, Dan Nolan; Ronan Shannon, Myles Hewlett; Paul Walsh (1-5, 0-1 free, 0-1 ‘65), Mickey Walsh, Josh Doyle-Delaney (0-3); Aaron McPhillips, Danny Costello, Lincoln Walsh. Subs. (rolling) - Aaron Whelan (0-1), Danny McPhillips, also Darren Walsh, Seán Dunne.
Referee: Catherine Boggan (Askamore).