Cushinstown finish with real flourish to oust Vols

A GOAL and two points in the last minute of the 60 plus injury time gave Rathgarogue-Cushinstown victory over Volunteers and a place in the last four of the Junior football championship at Taghmon on Friday last.

The Wexford town side, who had trailed since Enda Doran put their rivals 0-2 to 0-1 ahead in the 13th minute, levelled the game for only the second time when Peter Walsh pointed three minutes from time (0-11 to 18).

However, a move that went all the way down the right wing and through six different players ended with Peter Bolger popping over to give his side the lead back with a minute remaining.

Garrett Browne gave his side a little cushion seconds before the 60 was up with a '45 and then his 20-metre free, thet flew into the top left corner of the Vols net four minutes into added time, wrapped up a victory that looked to be slipping away from the New Ross District men minutes earlier.

Volunteers had plenty of the game but really struggled from kick-outs, particularly their own. They missed a few half-chances in the opening stages, took the lead through the excellent Billy Martin, but fell 04 to 0-1 behind early in the second quarter.

When Browne notched his third point and Matthew Cody made it 0-6 to 0-2, Volunteers needed a response and they got just that when Keith Kearney was fouled after good inter-change between himself and Stephen Burke, and the midfielder stepped up and converted the spot-kick.

Without the dynamic of a lightning-quick attacker, it was constantly left to Kearney to inject the pace his side needed. However, despite his heroics, Rathgarogue-Cushinstown, who led by 0-7 to 1-2 at the break, kept their opponents at bay and were still leading by three with eight minutes left.

Points by Kearney, Martin and Walsh drew Volunteers level but that took their last ounce of energy and when Bolger put Rathgarogue-Cushinstown back in front there was simply nothing left in the tank for the gallant losers.

Rathgarogue-Cushinstown: Jonathan Kelly; Neil Merrigan, Paudie McGrath (capt.), Francis O'Brien; Luke O'Connor, Peadar Cody (0-1), Brian O'Neill; Matthew Cody (0-1), Bernard Furlong; Garrett Browne (1-6, 1-4 frees, 0-1 ' 45), James Bolger (0-1), Ollie Bolger; Brendan Fitzpatrick (02 frees), Enda Doran (0-1), Peter Bolger (0-1). Subs. - Nicky Sinnott for O'Connor (47), James Whelan for Furlong, black card (51), Jason Dunne for Fitzpatrick (56).

Volunteers: Donal O'Connor; Anthony Walsh (capt.), John Browne, Emmet O'Connor (0-1); Mikey Lawlor, Keith Furlong, Stephen Burke; Keith Kearney (1-1, 1-0 pen.), Eoin McCarthy (0-1); Peter Walsh (0-1), Alan Donovan, Billy Martin (04); Ciarán Hillery, Thady Redmond, Craig Kearney. Subs. - Joe McBride for Hilleryd (49), Paudge Brennan for Martin, inj. (60+5).

Referee: Fintan O'Reilly (Kilmore).