NEWS IN BRIEF
CULLY THE PENO KING: Substitute Edward Cullen held his nerve in the penalty shoot-out, scoring the decisive spot-kick as Ferns United claimed the Neil O’Sullivan Cup crown in the Ajax Athletic grounds at the expense of Adamstown.
The outcome could have been so different, because it was looking like Pádraig Lawlor’s 78th-minute strike would give Adamstown victory before a sweet left-footed strike by Eugene Breen at the death forced extra-time.
Ferns goalkeeper Martin O’Connor saved twice in the penalty shoot-out, before Edward Cullen netted the winner with aplomb.
MINOR MATTERS: The Wexford Minor hurlers gained automatic entry into the Leinster championship semi-finals, avoiding titleholders Kilkenny in the process, when they defeated Offaly by 1-15 to 2-10 in Piercestown on April 23.
Wexford: Niall Maher; Ciarán Power, Clive Lawler, Ben O’Connor (capt.); Rory Griffin, Garrett Sinnott, Kevin Walsh; Peter Hughes, Tomás Waters (0-1); Mark Molloy, Brendan Travers (0-1), Fran O’Gorman; P.J. Nolan (1-3), Keith Burke (0-6, 4 frees), David Redmond (0-4). Subs. - Paul Nolan for Molloy (temp.), Jess Codd for O’Gorman.
LEINSTER FINAL LOSS: The dismissal of goalkeeper Mags D’Arcy at an early stage didn’t help Wexford’s cause in Piercestown on April 24 when they failed narrowly in their bid to claim the Leinster Senior camogie championship crown (played separately to the All-Ireland series) for the third year on the trot.
The final score was 3-7 to 2-9 in favour of Kilkenny and, bearing in mind that the hosts were a player short from near the end of the first quarter, they did very well to remain in touch right up to the end.
Wexford: Mags D’Arcy (St. Martin’s); Aishling Moran (Oulart-The Ballagh), Catherine O’Loughlin (Monageer-Boolavogue), Claire O’Connor (Rathnure); Aine Codd (St. Martin’s), Mary Leacy (Oulart-The Ballagh, capt.), Bernie Holohan (Rathnure); Kate Kelly (St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier, 1-7), Deirdre Codd (Duffry Rovers); Aoife O’Connor (Rathnure), Evelyn Quigley (Rathnure, 0-1), Lenny Holohan (Rathnure); Una Leacy (Oulart-The Ballagh, 0-1), Michelle Hearne (St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier, 1-0), Ursula Jacob (Oulart-The Ballagh). Subs. - Sandy Carr (St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier) for Moran, Jenna Murphy (St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier) for L. Holohan, Orla Hernan (Monageer-Boolavogue) for D. Codd, also Louise Codd (Duffry Rovers), Bridget Curran (St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier), Mag Kelly (St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier), Ruth Walsh (Monageer-Boolavogue).
DOUBLE DELIGHT: It was a case of double delight for Clonee as they added the women’s soccer cup crown to their league title when they beat Benfica of Waterford 3-1 in Bunclody on April 24.
Orla Murphy captained the winning team, with their goals coming from Ali Evered, Liz Evered and Deirdre Burke.
KELLY ON A WINNER: A superb strike in the 78th minute from Chris Kelly guided Bunclody ‘B’ to the narrowest of victories over St. Cormac’s ‘B’ in the Billy Browne Cup final in Ferns on April 22.
Man of the match Kelly grabbed the winner as his team prevailed 3-2 after earlier goals from Rory O’Brien and Peadar Cowman.
Barry Murphy and Seamus Sweeney responded for Cormac’s.