Shelmaliers book their last-eight place
SHELMALIERS 0-20 ST ANNE’S 0-16
SHELMALIERS booked their spot in the Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Championship quarter-finals with a four-point victory over St Anne’s in Wexford Park on Sunday afternoon last.
In what was a scrappy game that never really reached its potential as a spectacle, the Hollymount boys ground down their district rivals with impressive resilience against the breeze in the second half to take the points.
Probably concerned about the size and physicality of their inside forwards, Shelmaliers weren’t as direct as one might have expected playing with the gale in the first half. They stuttered to build a 0-11 to 0-10 advantage, but their opponents used a lot of gas sticking with them.
The big battle was in the middle third of the field, St Anne’s were committed and dogged, but it was Simon Donohoe who stole the show. His energy and runs from deep proved to be the big difference, with his teammates able to deal with opponents of similar ilk better than the Rathangan side dealt with the Shelmaliers marauder.
A couple of Ross Banville frees, plus points from Donohoe and Eoghan Nolan eased the victors ahead early. It was 0-6 to 0-3 when Brian Murphy did well to atone for his initial error and prevent Jess Codd from finding the net in the only real goal opening of the half.
Despite trailing throughout the stanza, things were going well for St Anne’s. They were chipping away against the breeze and when Mark Furlong notched his third point they were on terms for the first time since the game was scoreless.
A fourth Jess Codd over of the half gave them what would turn out to be their only lead in first half added-time. However, there was still a few seconds left and Jody Donohoe and Banville took advantage to send Shelmaliers in 0-11 to 0-10 ahead.
The third quarter was filled with stops and disjointed play. Shels had a couple of goal chances with Paul Brennan repelling Eoghan Nolan and Thomas Cullen making a stunning stop on the line to deny Simon Donohoe a 38th minute major.
A Dee O’Keeffe point tied the game at 0-13 each in the 40th minute but his side didn’t register again for another eleven minutes. Banville brought his tally to ten points in the 52nd minute but St Anne’s kept replying.
Shelmaliers led 0-17 to 0-16 heading into stoppage-time and they eventually pulled away. Brian Malone put two between the teams before James Cash landed a late brace to complete a satisfactory afternoon for his side.
While already qualified, Shelmaliers will now face Rapparees knowing that a win will secure them at least second spot in the table. Thanks to Faythe Harriers win over Buffers Alley, St Anne’s are now safe from relegation trouble and will qualify for the final eight should they avoid defeat against the Pairc Charman club.
SHELMALIERS: Brian Murphy; Andre O’Brien, Eoin Doyle, Craig Parker; Conor Walsh, Aidan Cash, Jody Donohoe (0-2); Ciaran O’Shaughnessy, Simon Donohoe (0-3); Conor Hearne (0-1), Brian Malone (0-1), James Cash (0-2); Eoghan Nolan (0-1), Joe Kelly, Ross Banville (0-10, 6 frees, 1 ‘65). Subs: Sean Keane Carroll for Kelly (54), Glen Malone for O’Shaughnessy (58), Conor Byrne for Banville (60).
ST ANNE’S: Paul Brennan; Pauric O’Keeffe, Kenny Clooney, Thomas Cullen; Shane Mythen, Aidan Rochford, Seamus Mythen; Mark Furlong (0-4, 3 frees), Diarmuid O’Keeffe (0-2); Mikey Fogarty, Liam Óg McGovern (0-1), Jonathan Fogarty; Liam Rochford (0-1), David O’Connor, Jess Codd (0-8, 7 frees). Subs: Andy Kennedy for J. Fogarty (49), Cian McGovern for O’Connor (55), Philip Rawson for Codd (60+3).
REFEREE: Barry Redmond (Clonard)