NEWS IN BRIEF
NEW BOB ON OFFER: Leinster Council officials, including the late Sheamus Howlin (Vice-Chairman), were involved in the purchase of a new Bob O’Keeffe Cup - the trophy presented to the provincial Senior hurling champions.
Wexford’s John O’Connor was the last man to lift the old trophy in 2004, and it was presented to Joanne Clarke, manager of the G.A.A. museum in Croke Park, to be put on display.
It had been in use since 1950, with the following captains also having the distinction of lifting it on Leinster final day: Nickey Rackard (1951), Padge Kehoe (1954), Nick O’Donnell (1955 and 1960), Jim English (1956), Billy Rackard (1962), Tom Neville (1965), Dan Quigley (1968), Michael Collins (1970), Tony Doran (1976 and 1977), Martin Storey (1996), Rod Guiney (1997).
MINOR MASTERS: The Wexford Minor hurlers qualified for the Leinster final for the first time since 2002 when they overcame a limited Laois side by 1-16 to 3-7 in a lack-lustre clash in Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow.
Wexford: Niall Maher (Ballyhogue); Ciarán Power (St. Martin’s), Ben O’Connor (Oulart-The Ballagh, capt.), Kevin Walsh (Rapparees); Rory Griffin (St. Mary’s, Rosslare), Garrett Sinnott (Oulart-The Ballagh), Cian McGovern (St. Anne’s); Mark Molloy (St. James’), Tomás Waters (St. Martin’s, 0-4, 1 ’65, 1 free); Peter Hughes (Ballyfad), Brendan Travers (Naomh Eanna), Fran O’Gorman (Rapparees, 0-1 line ball); P.J. Nolan (Askamore, 1-3), Keith Burke (Buffers Alley, 0-5, 3 frees), David Redmond (Oulart-The Ballagh, 0-2). Subs. - Jess Codd (St. Anne’s, 0-1) for Travers, Shane Roche (Geraldine O’Hanrahans) for Burke, James Flynn (Rathnure) for Redmond.
TWO NEW FACES: Gertrude Rowlands became the first female member of the Wexford Football League executive in nearly 30 years when she was chosen, along with John O’Rourke, to fill two vacancies created by the departure of Pat Loftus and Eamon Murphy.
The full committee was: Denis Hennessy (Chairman), Michael O’Neill (Secretary), Seán Parker (Treasurer), Willie Dempsey (Registrar), Pat Whitty (League administrator), Tom Connor, Pat Fortune, Michael Larkin, Danny Kearney, John Murphy, Noel Kehoe, Gertrude Rowlands, John O’Rourke.
BRENNAN BREAKTHROUGH: John Paul Brennan, the racehorse trainer from Monasootha, Camolin, enjoyed his first-ever racecourse success when his five-year-old gelding, Oran Climate, scored in a maiden hurdle at Cork.
Then 32 years old, he had already trained in excess of 50 point-to-point winners, with his best season arriving in 2003-’04 when he had 16 victories.
RISING STARS: Naomh Eanna made a huge breakthrough in the Under-14 camogie Premier final in Wexford Park, defeating Oulart-The Ballagh who had claimed the title for the previous seven years in succession.
Susie Griffiths, Carol Dunbar, Orlagh Hall, Ciara Doyle and Deirdre Kehoe all chipped in with scores for the Gorey girls, who were captained by Aoife Kehoe.
Ferns St. Aidan’s defeated Rapparees by 5-3 to 0-3 in the Roinn 1 decider, while there was a runaway success in the Roinn 2 final for St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier over Faythe Harriers.