Fintan’s ruin a perfect record
Unbeaten Rathnure crash out
A PERFECT record in Group A counted for nothing for Rathnure in the quarter-finals of the Junior ‘A’ hurling championship as St. Fintan’s advanced to the last four in Killurin on Sunday last.
The Blackstairs boys came through the group stages with five wins from five matches but the last eight clashes proved that the quality was heaped in the other group.
St. Fintan’s dominated this match and should have won by more. They were simply better all over the pitch, won the vast majority of the individual battles and were full value for a place in the semi-finals, despite their fourth place finish in Group B.
In hideous conditions it didn’t start particularly well for the Wexford District club. After early points were exchanged between Jason Lawlor and Pádhraic Rossiter, Rathnure hit the front when Aodhán Foley’s line ball landed inside the ’20 and Colin Carney pulled on the loose sliothar and flashed it to the left corner of Shane Sinnott’s net (1-1 to 01).
However, it wasn’t a sign of things to come as Rathnure didn’t score again until 13 minutes from time. By that stage St. Fintan’s were in full control. They ended the first-half leading by 0-7 to 1-1 after a point from the excellent Jim Rossiter was added to by five Niall Moore minors.
Peter Goldsmith, Donal Shanley and Moore all pointed in the third quarter but Rathnure finally broke their scoreless streak when Colm Byrne popped over from 45 metres out. Moore’s seventh score put St. Fintan’s 0-11 to 1-2 in front but they were indebted to goalkeeper Sinnott who brilliantly saved Neil Morrissey’s pulled effort over the crossbar with six minutes remaining.
Colin Carney’s deflected shot put four between the sides two minutes later but Moore’s final free settled the growing Fintan’s nerves and booked a semi-final place opposite Naomh Eanna for the Ballymore boys.
St. Fintan’s: Shane Sinnott (Mayglass); Adrian Murphy, Niall Murphy, Brian Lacey; Kevin Day, Brendan Hughes, Martin Goggin; John William Rowe, Donal Shanley (0-1); Peter Goldsmith (0-1), Jim Rossiter (0-1), Niall Moore (0-8, 6 frees, 1 ‘65); Pádhraic Rossiter (01), Frank Staples, Shane Sinnott.
Rathnure: Seán Nolan; Dave Guiney, Richard Murphy, Adam Quigley; Harry Quigley, Jamie Millar, Martin O’Connor; David Maher, Paul Barron; Aodhán Foley, Seánie Redmond, Colin Carney (1-1); Jason Lawlor (0-1 free), Colm Byrne (0-1), Neil Morrissey (0-1). Subs. - Jason Murphy for Foley (39), Barry O’Connor for Redmond (45).
Referee: Nicholas Kehoe (Cloughbawn).