Division finalists known

THE finalists are known in all five divisions of the New Ross Standard Under-13 Football championship after last weeks spate of exciting last four clashes.

There was a mild surprise in our featured match, where St Martin’s beat Ballynastragh.

On the adjacent pitch to that semi-final, Naomh Eanna got off to a fast start against St Anne’s but the quality within the Rathangan side eventually ground down their gutsy opponents to set up a final meeting with their neighbours, they won 4-13 to 2-9.

Shelmaliers put it up to Duffry Rovers for most of the game but a late goal helped the Coolree lads secure a seven point victory (5-8 to 4-4) in Ferns COE.

They will face a fellow survivor from the old Division 2 in the final, Bannow-Ballymitty beat Oylegate-Glenbrien to advance 1-16 to 3-6.

Both St James’ and Ferns registered thirteen scores each in their Division 3 semi-final but it was the Ramsgrange sides propensity for goals that saw them through 7-6 to 3-10.

They will face Kilrush in the the decider after the Ballyroebuck boys beat neighbours HWH-Bunclody 2-13 to 2-9 in a tight tussle.

There is plenty of depth in the New Ross Standard championship this season and that shines through in the quality of the Division 4 semi-finalists.

Ballyhogue beat St Mary’s, Rosslare 6-6 to 2-5 to make the final where they will play high-scoring Davidstown-Courtnacuddy, winners over Marshalstown-Castledockrell.

Like the second of the Division 4 semi-finals, the last four clashes in Division 5 took place on Saturday morning.

Horeswood maneuvered their way past Taghmon-Camross (5-12 to 2-8) while Kilmore proved too strong for St Mary’s, Maudlintown, winning 2-13 to 2-5.

All but one shield final pairing was confirmed too. In Division 1 Glynn-Barntown edged out Castletown by a point and will meet Starlights, winners against Sarsfields, in the final.

In the only other game to be decided by a point in this age group this week, Blackwater beat Fethard and they will meet a Buffers Alley side who received a walkover from Cloughbawn.

A 4-6 to 1-9 scoreline was enough to see St Joseph’s past Monageer-Boolavogue in the Division 3 shield semi, they will take on Crossabeg-Ballymurn in the final.

Clongeen and Adamstown with contest the Division 4 shield final while Realt na Mara await their opponents from the Our Lady’s Island/St Fintans v. St Patrick’s tie in Division 5.

Attention turns to hurling this week in the Under-13 championship.

In Division 1 Oulart-The Ballagh will meet a St Anne’s side going for the double on Tuesday evening, St Martin’s have similar dreams and they face Buffers Alley 24 hours later.

The other divisions are all at the quarter-finals stage.

The semi-finalists are set in the Gorey Guardian Under-15 Premier Football Championship.

A 8-7 to 3-9 victory over Starlights propelled Fethard into the last four opposite Glynn-Barntown. The reward for Sarsfields 2-11 to 1-5 success against Ballynastragh Gaels is a tricky semi outing against Naomh Eanna.

Monageer-Boolavogue edged Shelmaliers 1-14 to 1-12 in their Roinn 1 quarter-finals but they will have to wait for their opponents with the other games yet to go ahead.

Castletown will be in the Roinn 2 semi-finals after picking up a walkover against St Mary’s, Rosslare.

Also advancing from the quar- ter-finals were Taghmon-Camross, who beat Blackwater 3-12 to 3-5, Duffry Rovers, 5-6 to 1-8 winners against Adamstown and Cloughbawn, the side that dispatched Rathgarogue-Cushinstown.

The final games in the Wexford People Premier Minor A Hurling Championship group stages were completed too. St Martin’s ended the group with a perfect record, albeit after a tough battle with Rapparees (5-6 to 1-16).

Those sides could meet again in the last four, should the Bellefield boys navigate their way past Na Piarsaigh in the quarters. Faythe Harriers also cemented their automatic semi-final slot with victory against Naomh Eanna, similarly they will meet again if Gorey can dispatch qualifiers Blackwater.

Roinn 1A is complete with Oulart-The Ballagh taking top spot, they will face fourth placed finisher in 1B St James’ for a spot in the semi-finals. Rathnure topped Group B and they will battle with Ballynastragh Gaels in the quarters.

The other qualifiers for the knockouts are Glynn-Barntown, Horeswood, Cloughbawn and Crossabeg-Ballymurn.

Buffers Alley finished unbeaten in Roinn 2A and will advance to the last eight opposite Ballyhogue. Ferns will meet Adamstown in the quarter-finals while St Patrick’s, Askamore, Bannow-Ballymitty and Moguegeen Gaels are also through.

This week the attention turns back to the Wexford People Minor Football Championship.

The format here is a little different from the hurling but the two automatic semi-finalists are already known with a round to go.

Na Piarsaigh and Shelmaliers will be in the last four but the jostling continues for position in behind.

There is also action in Roinn 1 this week but the Roinn 2 group stages are finished.