Jimser snatches a draw after battle with Rocks

ARKLOW ROCKS ST PATRICK’S 0-14 1-11

THE final round of the Intermediate hurling championship saw Arklow Rocks and St Patrick’s do battle in Pearse’s Park on Thursday evening last.

This latest encounter between these two rivals produced a hardfought game which saw a typical Arklow Rocks rally that turned a one-point deficit into a lead when they recorded three points in row with time almost up.

But, in fairness, St Patrick’s kept battling away and following a foul on play anywhere Jimser O’Brien, the converted free brought the sides level deep into injury time and this is how the game ended which was a fair result all things considered.

The game was played in real championship fever with some wonderful blocking and hooking and some fine individual displays including a five-star performance from ace free-taker Paddy Mellon who accounted for nine points of his side’s total.

Both goalkeepers showed their ability with some fine saves and to add to the drama three players received their marching orders in what was a action filled game that had many talking points.

St Patrick’s had the better of the opening half which saw the Wicklow town side leading by 1-06 to 0-06 at the break.

The opening minutes saw both sides launch two attacks with John O’Brien opening the scoring after four minutes which brought a quick response from the Parnells as wing forward Sean Pierce landed a point to bring the teams level after six minutes.

At this stage it was the Wicklow town side that upped the tempo with John ‘Dee’ O’Brien scoring his second point from play which inspired his team-mates to raise their game which resulted in James O’Brien getting his name on the score board with a point after splitting the Arklow defence.

Pat’s continued to take the game to their opponents and following a superb move up the field George O’Brien slotted home the only goal of the match.

John O’Neill and Paddy Mellon exchanged a point each while James O’Brien at centre-forward continued to cause havoc in the Rocks defence as he landed a point from play which saw St Pat’s leading by 1-05 to 0-02 at the end of the first quarter.

Arklow Rocks, who are always great championship battlers, showed great courage as they set about reducing the deficit.

County under-21 player Cathal Whitmore scored the first of his two points while Paddy Mellon proved he was on song as the midfielder recorded two points from frees while T J Byrne made up for a earlier miss when he slotted home a point from play which left St Patrick’s with a slender lead of 1-05 to 0-06.

Arklow Rocks received a blow then when TJ Byrne was sent off for a second yellow card which saw St Patrick’s finish strong when Jimser O’Brien pointed a free to close the first half scoring which left St Patrick’s leading 1-06 to 0-06.

Following the break, George O’Brien and Paddy Mellon exchanged a point each but not for the first time the game the Rocks rallied and went on to score three points in row which saw Paddy Mellon continue to punish the St Patrick’s defence with two points from frees while Cathal Whitmore added his second point to bring the sides level for the first time on a score of 1-07 to 0-10.

Jimser O’Brien who has taken over from county goalie Eoin O’Mahoney on the St Patrick’s Senior team showed his ability out field when he scored two points from frees to edge his side 1-09 to 0-10 ahead.

Top markmen Paddy Mellon and Jimser O’Brien continued to exchange a point each from frees.

At this stage, St Patricks corner back John O’Brien received a red but it was St Patrick’s who reacted best with James O’Brien splitting the Rocks defence but he was denied a goal thanks to a fantastic Keith Barnes double save.

Following that double let off, Arklow Rocks set about reducing the lead with wing forward Sean Pierce landing a point and Martin Reilly’s side added two pointed frees from Paddy Mellon to help themselves to a one-point lead late on.

From the puck out, Mick Neary’s side worked the up field and Jimser O’Brien won possesion and he rounded his marker before he slotted over a point to bring the sides level once more 1-11 to 0-14.

Scorers - St Patrick’s: George O’Brien 1-00, Jimser O’Brien 0-04 (3f), John O’Brien 0-02, John ‘Dee’ O’Brien 0-02, James O’Brien 0-02 (1f), John O’Neill 0-01.

Arklow Rocks: Paddy Mellon 0-09 (8f), Sean Pierce 0-02, Cathal Whitmore 0-02, TJ Byrne 0-01.

St Patrick’s: Nottie O’Brien; John O’Brien, Denis O’Brien, Andrew Conway; Tomas Keogh, Dale Quinn, John O’Neill; Niall Hanton, George O’Brien; John ‘Dee’ O’Brien, James ‘Bonner’ O’Brien, John O’Brien; Jimser O’Brien, George o Brien, Michael O’Brien. Subs: Anto Murphy for John ‘Dee’ O’Brien, Alan Delaney for Michael O’Brien.

Arklow Rocks: Keith Barnes; Kevin Reilly, John Furlong, Jason Redmond; John Foxton, Eamon Doyle, Tyrone Byrne; Tony Kinsella, Paddy Mellon; Sean Pierce Conor Doyle, Cathal Whitmore; James Dignam, John Cush, TJ Byrne. Subs: Cian Doyle for Tyrone Byrne, Daniel Long for James Dignam.

Referee: Mattie Dowling (Carnew).

The IHC quarter-finals draw will see St Patrick’s play Kilcoole, while Arklow Rocks will do battle with Bray Emmets while Carnew Emmets and Glenealy await the winners in the semi-finals of this interesting competition.