HURLING DOWN TO LAST 4
Oylegate-Glenbrien march on after powerful finish
OYLEGATE-G’BRIEN SHELMALIERS 3-12 2-12
FOUR POINTS in the last nine minutes including injury time saw Oylegate-Glenbrien deservedly book their place in the Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship semi-finals after a battling 3-12 to 2-12 victory over Shelmaliers in Sunday’s enthralling clash at a blustery Innovate Wexford Park.
In a county with a proud tradition of producing some of the greatest full-forwards the game has ever seen, it was rather fitting that a man by the name of Doran was the hero for the winners, as his three goals proved decisive, particularly his 43rd-minute penalty that ultimately was the difference in the end.
Podge Doran has now found the net ten times in the campaign to date, and is the best proponent of the route-one approach in the championship.
Shelmaliers hit an eye-watering 20 wides throughout the contest, and will be kicking themselves at the manner of some of those miscues, as quite often there was a better option available other than a rash pot at the posts.
A keenly-contested opening saw Conor Heffernan twice find the range along with Shane Reck for Oylegate-Glenbrien, with Ross Banville and Brian Malone doing similar for Shelmaliers.
But Doran’s first goal arrived on eleven minutes when he was supplied by Seamus Casey, and while his low shot was well saved by Brian Murphy, its trajectory looped back over the goalkeeper and saw it land a smidgeon over the line.
Shelmaliers’ response was swift and decisive though, as a sideline from Benny Barron located Banville and the talented teenager floated a bullet into the far corner for as cleanly a struck goal as one would see anywhere (1-3 to 1-2).
But their shot selection left a lot to be desired otherwise as they failed to work the scoreboard apart from efforts from Simon Donohoe, Conor Hearne and Banville (free).
And they were made to rue that wastefulness when Doran’s overhead mid-air pull on Damien Reck’s free nestled in the net to give Oylegate-Glenbrien a 2-7 to 1-5 lead at the interval.
Shelmaliers enjoyed an ideal re-start when Seán Keane-Carroll pulled the rebound to the net after Eoghan Nolan had a shot well saved by John Foley.
Banville popped up untracked to split the posts, Ciarán O’Shaughnessy pointed neatly from the uncovered side, while an easy free for Banville gave them a 2-8 to 2-7 lead after 40 minutes.
Hearne tagged on another point, but when Jamie Reck was unceremoniously bundled over in front of goal, Doran dispatched the resultant penalty to edge Oylegate-Glenbrien back in front.
Banville’s free restored parity soon after, but Shelmaliers continued to embark on ill-advised shots at goal.
Shane Reck and Eoghan Nolan traded points from play as it remained close, while Heffernan picked off his third after Casey hit the post from a free (3-9 to 2-11).
Banville converted another free six minutes from time, but Oylegate-Glenbrien had a strong finish in them, with Casey twice holding his nerve from frees.
Jamie Reck then added an insurance point one minute into injury time to secure a character-building win for a young side making considerable strides in the Senior grade.
Oylegate-Glenbrien: John Foley; Ciarán Hourihane, Michael Heffernan (capt.), Bryan McCormack; Mark Kavanagh, Damien Reck, Mike Kelly; Jamie Reck (0-1), Shane Reck (0-2); Conor Heffernan (0-3), Seamus Casey (0-6, 4 frees), Jack Reck; Tom White, Podge Doran (3-0, 1 pen.), Fiachra Hourihane. Subs. - Robbie O’Connor for McCormack (35), Daithí O’Mahoney for White, temp. (36-38), O’Mahoney for F. Hourihane (41), Fergus Heffernan for M. Heffernan, inj. (53).
Shelmaliers: Brian Murphy; Andre O’Brien, Eoin Doyle, Craig Parker; Conor Walsh, Simon Donohoe (0-1), Jody Donohoe; Ciarán O’Shaughnessy (0-1), Benny Barron; Seán Keane-Carroll (1-0), Brian Malone (capt., 0-1), James Cash; Conor Hearne (0-2), Eoghan Nolan (0-1), Ross Banville (1-6, 0-4 frees). Subs. - Tommy Barron for B. Barron (58), Conor Byrne for Keane-Carroll (60+1).
Referee: John Carton (Monageer-Boolavogue).