Second string complete perfect day for the blues

OYLEGATE-G’BRIEN ST. MARTIN’S

OYLEGATE-GLENBRIEN sailed into the Permanent TSB Junior ‘B’ hurling championship semi-final with a comprehensive win over St. Martin’s in Hollymount on Sunday.

The winners, who right from the off appeared to have an obvious attacking threat, simply had too much firepower for the Piercestown and Murrintown men.

They managed 19 points while also having a wide count that climbed well into double figures.

In addition, they could have had a minimum of four goals if it wasn’t for Mick Kearney’s heroics between the Martin’s posts.

That’s exactly how the game began, as Kearney made three impressive stops before Marty Kelly opened the scoring with a well-taken point.

St. Martin’s were ahead for the only time, briefly, in the 13th minute. Micheál Lyng fired in low for their only score of the half as they momentarily grabbed a onepoint lead.

Oylegate-Glenbrien scored seven unanswered points after that blip as they ensured a comfortable lead was taken into the break (0-9 to 1-0).

Barry Dunne and Eoin O’Mahoney were at the heart of the scoring while Pa Cullen kicked one over for the Enniscorthy District runners-up.

St. Martin’s produced a little more after the re-start without ever really getting into touching distance of their opposition.

Alan Kehoe was mainly responsible for their improvement, scoring four of their six points, but he was assisted with efforts from Paddy King and Philip Coleman.

However, it was clearly Oylegate-Glenbrien’s day. They went one better than in the first-half by scoring ten times.

Dunne grabbed another four points while O’Mahoney got three. Conor Nolan and Barry Doyle also pitched in, as the former scored twice and the latter registered once as Oylegate-Glenbrien ran up a ten-point victory and eased their way into the semi-final.

The outcome leaves St. Martin’s as the only District winners not to advance.

Oylegate-Glenbrien: Kevin Cosgrave; Aidan Murphy, Pádraig O’Connor, Evan Kelly; Peter Rowley, Niall Parker, Gary Conroy; Marty Kelly (capt., 0-1), Anthony Doyle; Conor Nolan (0-2), Pa Cullen (0-1), Barry Dunne (0-8, 5 frees), Barry Doyle (0-1), Eoin O’Mahoney (0-5), Joe Dunne (0-1).

St. Martin’s: Mick Kearney; Leo Burke, Martin Whelan, Adam McLaughlin; Philip McDermott, Derek Burrell (capt.), Paddy King (0-1); Darragh Waters, Philip Coleman (01); Phelim Crotty, Alan Kehoe (0-4 frees), Eoin Cardiff; Jordan Hayes, Richie Doyle, Micheál Lyng (1-0). Subs. - Rory Cullen for P. Coleman (42), Stephen Doyle for Hayes (48).

Referee: Francis Neville (Shelmaliers).