St. Peter’s share spoils

ST. PETER’S and Coláiste Eoin played out a battling draw in the group stage of the Top Oil Post Primary Schools Senior hurling championship last week in Power Park.

With never more than two points separating the sides, it is hard to argue that a share of the spoils was any less than both sides deserved in a pulsating encounter.

It was truly a game which ebbed and flowed through-out and just when one side looked to be getting on the top, the other would battle their way back into the game.

This was certainly the case for the opening exchanges. Conall Ó Tuathaill and Odhran Mac Gearailt fired Coláiste Eoin ahead as they dominated the first ten minutes.

Indeed, it took the Wexford boys some time to find their feet, but spurred on by a vocal home crowd, they eventually fought their way into the contest.

Tomás Murphy and Billy Dunne drew the home side level by the quarter hour mark and after Murphy and Breandan Ó Scanlain traded minors, the Peter’s boys stuck their noses in front.

The duo of Murphy and Dunne were again on the scoresheet for Wexford as they looked to have given St. Peter’s a healthy half-time lead (0-5 to 0-3).

However, Coláiste Eoin wouldn’t give an inch and answered back with two late points.

Diarmuid Ó Dulaing and Ó Tuathaill levelled the game and gave the Dubliners the psychological edge going into the interval.

The second half was no different to the first. Dylan O’Neill and Murphy opened back up a two-point lead for St. Peter’s but before they could build on their advantage, Colaiste Eoin hit back again.

Ó Scalain, Mac Gearailt and Dara Puirseil all fired over points in a four-minute period leading into the final quarter and suddenly the Dublin boys led again (0-8 to 0-7).

With tension building, the game ticked into the final ten minutes.

Murphy pointed another free to briefly draw the side’s level before Mac Gearailt restored Coláiste Eoin’s one point advantage.

St. Peter’s threw everything they had at the Dubliners for the final few moments and it looked as though it wouldn’t be enough.

A number of Wexford efforts fell agonisingly short before the Peter’s boy’s earned a free three minutes into stoppage time which Murphy held his nerve to score and secure a point for St. Peter’s. ST. PETER’S: Cian Byrne; Conor Kehoe, Jack O’Leary, Liam Cassin; Justin Moran, Conor Mahony, Shane Walsh; Luke Kavanagh, Conor Devereux; Dylan O’Neill (0-1), Billy Dunne (0-2), Zac Firman; David Codd, Conor Kelly, Tomas Murphy (0-6, frees). Subs: Dairmuid O’Leary for Devereux (36), David Cantwell for Dunne (49).

COLAISTE EOIN: Micheal Ó Donaile; Cormac Mac Mathuna, Brian Mac Sithigh, Finn Ó Murchu; Iain O’hEither, Cian, Rian Ó Maoileoin; Padhraic Ó Luinneachain, Donal Mac Duinnsleibhe; Conall Ó Tuathaill (0-2), Seamus Ó Fiachna, Odhran Mac Gearailt (0-3, 1 free); Diarmuid Ó Dulaing (0-1), Breandan Ó Scanlain (0-2, 2 frees), Dara Puirseil (0-1). Subs: Sean Ó Cuanaigh for Ó Dulaing (37), Shane Ó hAodha for Ó Scanlain (54).

REFEREE: David Cody (Kilkenny)