Ballinastragh best
Patience a virtue as Askamore beaten
BALLINASTRAGH GLS 3-6 ASKAMORE 1-4
PATIENCE WAS a virtue as far as Ballinastragh Gaels were concerned as they took home the New Ross Standard Under-13 hurling Division 3 championship title with a professional 3-6 to 1-4 victory over an adept Askamore side in a high-quality final played at the Ferns club grounds.
The Ballyroebuck-based lads enjoyed an encouraging start when the elusive Robert Quinn cut in along the sideline before bouncing to the net after only two minutes.
Remarkably though, that early major was Askamore’s only score from open play, as they generally struggled to make much inroads against a Ballinastragh Gaels defence well marshalled by Vincent Higgins and Charlie Fleming.
David Kirwan was outstanding at full-back for the losers as well, and they created a 1-3 to 0-1 lead after 17 minutes courtesy of two frees from Seán Kenny either side of a ‘45 from Brian Kirwan.
Darragh Gethings responded with a free shortly before the break, and Gaels gained a huge slice of luck in injury-time when a ‘45 by Craig Grannell floated all the way to the net as the half-time gap was shrunk to 1-3 to 1-2.
Captain Daniel Bolger set up Max Buggy for the leveller a minute into the new half, while Eoin Hughes slapped over on the turn as Ballinastragh Gaels opened up a lead they wouldn’t subsequently surrender.
Grannell tagged on another ‘45 on 34 minutes, and when a similar strike from the same player dropped short, Buggy was as quick as a flash to force home the rebound (2-5 to 1-3).
And they were in dream land on 48 minutes when Gethings prodded home their third goal after another Grannell delivery sparked panic.
The tricky angle posed no problems to Kenny as he arrowed over a free for Askamore a minute later, although Gethings cancelled that out eight minutes from time.
Askamore kept plugging away for the goals they needed, and had one last chance in injury time when Ben Rothwell repelled David Kirwan’s low drive as the Kilanerin/Tara Rocks combination deservedly took the spoils in efficient means.
Ballinastragh Gaels: Ben Rothwell; Morgan Timmons, Pádraig Jones, Charlie Fleming; Fergal Noctor, Craig Grannell (1-1 ’45s), Vincent Higgins; Daniel Bolger (capt.), Tim Ivers; Jack Gethings, Brendan Bolger, Mikey Hughes; Max Buggy (1-1), Eoin Hughes (0-2), Darragh Gethings (1-2, 0-2 frees). Subs. - Oisín Byrne for Fleming (49), Jamie Hughes for Buggy (52), Patrick Rooney for D. Gethings (57), Ben Mordaunt for Noctor (59), Paddy Higgins for J. Gethings (59), also Will Cooper, Adam Fabian, Olan Tighe, Darragh Hayes, George Tutty, Patrick Boland.
Askamore: Dean Black; Thomas Kirwan, David Kirwan (joint capt.), Cian Lancaster; Niall Mimnagh, Brian Kirwan (joint capt., 0-1 ’45), Ryan Bailey; Robert McCrea, Darragh Dee; Seán Kenny (0-3 frees), Páraic Guinan, Conor Dillon; Adam Donohoe, Robert Quinn (1-0), Calum Ryan. Subs. - Conal Butler for Ryan (HT), Michael Kinsella for Guinan (42), Ben Walsh for Dillon (44), Marc Devereux for Bailey (54), Oisín Farrell for Donohoe (55), also Darragh O’Toole, Tom Mackey.
Referee: Paddy Brady (Ballygarrett).