Shamrocks seal the deal
Blackwater’s season ended
SHAMROCKS ended Blackwater’s season with a two-point victory in their Group ‘B’ game in The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate Hurling Championship in St. Patricks Park on Sunday last.
In a game which ebbed and flowed, with each team experiencing a period of time in command, the Enniscorthy side finished stronger to book their place in the championship quarter-final.
Blackwater started the game with the help of the strong wind and arguably didn’t use it to their full advantage.
In fact, they found themselves trailing by five points halfway through the first period. Sean Wildes and Maurice Casey played major roles in running up the early tally and a stunning Wildes finish into the top corner of the net from wide right was the pick of the scores as Shamrocks jumped into a 1-6 to 0-4 lead.
They managed to prevent what would have been a disastrous half with a late surge, which included a goal of their own.
Mick Lillis’ free from his own half dropped under the crossbar, much to the dismay of Shamrock’s netminder Jamie Dagg. Dean Wright, Kevin Corrigan, Darren Byrne and Diarmuid Murphy were all on target as Blackwater ended the half strongly and opened up a 1-12 to 1-8 lead.
Playing against the wind in the second half they were far less impressive and only managed three points in total - Dean Wright scored the lot as Shamrock dominated.
John O’Connor, Maurice Casey and Anthony Wallace narrowed the deficit before a trio of Casey minors tied the game at 1-14 apiece.
Now unquestionable favourites as they benefited from the gale force winds, Shamrocks kicked on. Cyril Thorpe came off the bench to point before Bob Jacob scored impressively off from wide right to inch them ahead.
Casey added the final point from a dead ball to seal the win for the Shamrocks and guarantee them a spot in the Intermediate Championship quarter-final.
SHAMROCKS: Jamie Dagg; Mick Weafer, George Jacob, Barry Dobbs; Bob Jacob (0-1), Podge Doyle, Brandon O’Connor; Anthony Wallace (0-1), Jim Jacob; Phillip Freeman (0-1, capt.), Maurice Casey (0-8, 5 frees), Harry Goff; John O’Connor (0-3), Sean Wildes (1-2), Jack Molloy. Subs: Ronan Gahan for Freeman (40), Cyril Thorpe (0-1) for Molloy (45), Lar McDonald for Jim Jacob (54).
BLACKWATER: Peter O’Brien; Eoin O’Neill, Lar Leacy, Brian Dooley; Kevin O’Brien, Mick Lillis (1-1, 1-1 frees, capt.), Mossie O’Brien; Denis O’Brien, Darren Byrne (0-2, 1 free); Dean Whelan, Denis Carroll, Diarmuid Murphy (0-1); James Dooley (0-1), Paul O’Leary, Dean Wright (0-9, 7 frees, 1 65’). Subs: Kevin Corrigan (0-1) for O’Leary (20), Anthony Roche for Lar Lacey (39), Dillon Dixon for Dooley (44).
REFEREE: James Flood (St Mary’s, Maudlintown).