Ferns double dream still firmly on course

Joseph’s made final on Minor return

A POWERFUL Ferns St. Aidan’s side completed the first half of what could be an historic double when they beat St. Joseph’s to claim the Wexford People Minor football Roinn 2 championship title in St. Patrick’s Park.

The champs, who are somewhat surprise Premier Minor hurling finalists after scraping into the last six with a win in their final round-robin game, look to be peaking at the right time.

They were certainly able to control this game throughout, with their ability to get goals proving vital.

Not only that, they prevented the concession of majors with strong defending at the other end. St. Joseph’s, playing their first campaign back at Minor level after their re-formation, reached this stage by being deadly in front of goal.

In fact, coming into this decider, the Bishopswater boys had netted in every game this season. Their propensity for goals is what got them to this stage but, despite a rip-roaring effort, they came up against opponents determined to restrict their advances.

The underdogs actually started brightly. Ciarán Paige had the pick of their points as they built a 0-4 to 0-1 lead with the breeze.

What St. Joseph’s desperately needed to do was prevent morale-killing goals while they had the elements, but Ferns had other ideas.

With 17 minutes on the clock the St. Aidan’s boys struck a crucial blow.

Chris Turner was the provider with the perfectly-weighted ball to Shane Breen. The forward, with two points on the board already, cut in and stroked a clinically-placed finish past Eoin Kinsella.

It was enough to help Ferns to parity at the break (1-4 to 0-7). Tomás Sheridan’s free kept St. Joseph’s level as the second-half got going but they couldn’t maintain the tie for long.

Chris Turner robbed possession, drove in on goal and netted in the 39th minute.

The win was pretty much secured when Lee Quigley’s ball in found its way to Ciarán Murphy at the start of the final quarter and he fired low to the net.

The Wexford club battled away gamely until the end but Ferns always kept them at arm’s length and were worthy winners.

Ferns St. Aidan’s: Liam Murphy; Brian O’Neill, Patrick O’Hagan, William Bolger; Rory Scallan, Conor Scallan, Adrian Breen (0-3 frees); Niall Murphy (0-1), Jeff Tobin (0-1); Lee Quigley, Jason Lawlor (0-2, 1 free), Shane Breen (1-2); Eoin Murphy (capt., 0-1), Chris Turner (1-0), Ciarán Murphy (1-0). Subs. - Shane Stafford for C. Murphy (56), Pádraig Kinsella (0-1) for Quigley (58), also Byron Jordan, Michael O’Brien, Eoin Murphy, Bob Byrne, Kevin Stafford, Seb Rynhart, Barry Murphy, Evan Murphy, Barry O’Toole, Patrick O’Toole, Steve Warren.

St. Joseph’s: Eoin Kinsella; Liam Doyle, Aaron Keane, Warren O’Connor; Sky Moroney, Gloudy McKenzie, Josh Kavanagh; Justin Butler, Darragh Whelan; Dale O’Reilly (0-1 free), Gary Hall-Roche (0-1 free), Tomás Sheridan (capt., 0-3 frees); Josh Guerrine (0-1 free), Kallum Broaders (0-1 free), Ciarán Paige (0-2). Subs. - Cian Carty (0-1) for O’Connor (24), Mark Shortall for Doyle (56), also Jordan Murphy, Jay Warren, Seán Breen, Chris Curran, Ryan Warren, Kyle Turner, Darragh Howell.

Referee: Brendan Martin (Ballyhogue).

St. Joseph’s, who went all the way to the final in their first year returning to the Minor grade.

The Ferns St. Aidan’s squad with the spoils of sucess after annexing part one of a possible Wexford People Minor championship double.

Ciarán Murphy gathering possession for Ferns St. Aidan’s as Gary Hall-Roche (St. Joseph’s) closes in.

Tomás Sheridan of St. Joseph’s is tracked by Adrian Breen.

Aidan Murray presenting the Larry Murray Memorial Cup to Ferns St. Aidan’s captain Eoin Murphy, with members of the Murray family looking on.