Shels left smiling
Five-point gap erased to capture title
SHELMALIERS GAINED a small boost ahead of their next championship engagement when they recovered from a five-point deficit early in the second-half to claim the All-County Football League Division 1 crown at Adamstown’s expense in a low-key decider in Wexford Park on Sunday last.
The Over The Water side trailed by 1-6 to 0-4 when substitute Conor Hickey pointed via the post a mere twelve seconds after play resumed, but they were quickly back in business when Barry Power fouled Simon Donohoe as they contested a Stephen Banville delivery. Wexford Youths regular Craig McCabe was on hand to just about beat Jason Whitty from the penalty spot, with the netminder getting his left hand to the kick which squirmed to the net.
Although Paudie Barden hit back quickly for Adamstown with a good point from the left corner, over 21 minutes elapsed before they scored again and in that spell Shelmaliers attacked at will and picked off seven points without reply.
Ace free-taker McCabe converted a couple of efforts off the ground before county regular Brian Malone showed his versatility, kicking points with his left and then right in the 39th and 45th minutes to ease the Shels ahead (1-8 to 1-7).
Two more McCabe frees were sandwiched by another Malone point before Eric Bradley finally stopped the rot for Adamstown with a pointed free five minutes from the end, but McCabe managed an insurance score from a placed ball prior to Conor Hickey closing the scoring for the losers who are set for a relegation decider in the championship regardless of how they do in their last group game against the same opponents.
The first-half had been largely uneventful, with the Shels deploying Aidan Cash as a third midfielder as they faced the elements, and falling behind early on to points from Eric Bradley and Brendan Kehoe (free).
McCabe brought them level though from his first placed ball before an exchange of points between Paudie Barden and county Minor captain Glen Malone, with Bradley and Liam Donnelly following suit although the latter should have goaled with his rising shot in the 18th minute (0-4 each).
A McCabe attempt on goal was well saved by Jason Whitty following a fine pass from James Cash, but Adamstown enjoyed better luck after Conor Hickey restored their lead from a free.
There was more than a stroke of good fortune about their goal as Johnny Connors managed to get a kick on the ball as he fell and directed it towards Paudie Barden who forced it over the line, although a Shels defender may have been responsible for the final touch.
Simon Donohoe moved to corner-forward from defence on the re-start and it was from that position that he earned the penalty, needlessly given away it must be said, which kick-started their revival.
Joint captains Aidan Cash and Brian Malone were presented with the cup by Noel O’Keeffe, Vice-Chairman of the County Board.