Bubbly Bunclody stun Senior football holders

TWO UNEXPECTED results were recorded in the first round of the WFC Senior football championship, as both of the finalists from 2004 were consigned to the losers’ section.

Holders Starlights went down to a bubbly HWH-Bunclody side in Ferns by 1-8 to 0-6, with Peter Atkinson’s fine haul of 1-5 making all the difference.

And the runners-up from 2004 fared no better, as Bannow-Ballymitty recorded a comfortable 0-9 to 0-4 victory over Sarsfields in New Ross.

It guaranteed no relegation worries for the Interemediate victors of two years earlier, with their points coming from Matty White (four, three frees), Ben Brosnan (two frees), Art Murphy (two) and John ‘Toe’ Sinnott.

Gusserane earned the local bragging rights at the same venue, out-pointing Horeswood 14-9 with four struck from play by Adrian Flynn.

Adamstown pulled off a mild surprise by accounting for Glynn-Barntown in Wexford Park on a 1-10 to 2-6 scoreline, with full-forward Patrick Whitty contributing 1-4 to the success.

A goal by county star Redmond Barry after nine minutes put St. Anne’s firmly on course for a 1-10 to 0-9 win against Duffry Rovers in the main county ground.

Des Carty kicked the Castletown winner with two minutes left as they pipped Fethard by 1-10 to 1-9 in Bellefield, while the margin was similar at the same venue when substitute Mick Molloy’s goal left Naomh Eanna with a 1-7 to 0-9 success at the expense of Clongeen.

Ballyhogue’s return to the top flight was one they would prefer to forget, as Kilanerin cruised past them on a 0-17 to 0-6 scoreline in Ferns.

Full-forward John Hegarty was on fire and struck seven points from play, with Matty Forde adding another five (one from a free).