Wexford People

Ryan’s return a big boost

Anne’s stalwart helps team to win over Shels

- BY ALAN AHERNE

THE RETURN to action of influentia­l defender Darragh Ryan handed the Wexford Senior hurling backroom team a massive boost ahead of their Leinster championsh­ip semi-final clash with Laois.

A cruciate knee ligament injury had cast doubt on the St. Anne’s man’s involvemen­t, but he successful­ly came through his club’s victory over Shelmalier­s on May 21, 2005, without any adverse reaction.

‘We were delighted to see Darragh back,’ Wexford manager Seamus Murphy confirmed. ‘He looked fresh, had no bandages around his knee, and grew stronger as the game went on.’

Ryan featured in his familiar full-back role as the boys in blue overcame the Shels by 1-13 to 0-13, with Rory Stafford registerin­g the game’s only goal early in the second quarter.

The star defender donned the number 30 jersey and was faced with a major physical challenge, as his direct opponent was Stephen Banville who was restricted to one point.

That Stafford goal meant that St. Anne’s were on level terms at the break (1-5 to 0-8), and it remained close until a late burst saw them hit the last three points on the trot, courtesy of Jack Berry, Pierce White and Francis Simpson.

All seven Pettitt’s Senior hurling championsh­ip first round games took place, and holders Oulart-The Ballagh hit back after a poor start to see off St. Martin’s by 1-15 to 1-10.

Full-forward Paul Finn scored 1-2 in that Wexford Park clash, while Diarmuid Lyng netted for the losers who were captained from centre-back by Rory McCarthy.

A wet Bellefield hosted the meeting of Glynn-Barntown and Duffry Rovers, with Garry Laffan grabbing two goals in a 3-11 to 2-8 win for the Killurin crew.

Paul Carley chipped in with an impressive 1-8, including five points from play, while the Duffry goalscorer­s were Micheál Doyle and Alan O’Neill.

An old-fashioned, blood and thunder contest was served up by old rivals Buffers Alley and Rathnure in Bellefield, and there was a spectacula­r ending as Pat Doran flighted a line ball over the bar for the second time to ensure a 0-12 to 1-9 share of the spoils.

Veteran Tom Dempsey topscored for the Alley with seven points, five from frees, while Rathnure captain Paul Codd accounted for 1-5 of their haul.

Ballyfad were left to rue the concession of two sloppy goals in Monamolin as they went down to an Oylegate-Glenbrien side inspired by those Trevor Moulton green flags by 2-12 to 1-13.

The full-forward’s opportunis­m, coupled with a run of five points between the 44th and 51st minutes, ensured victory over the north county side whose leading marksman was Matty Forde with nine points, seven from frees. Substitute Donie Noonan chipped in with their goal.

A similar purple patch midway through the second-half which yielded six points in six minutes powered Faythe Harriers to a narrow 0-17 to 1-13 victory over Cloughbawn in Wexford Park.

While an M.J. Furlong goal over two minutes into added time heightened the prospects of a draw, the Harriers had done enough as the accuracy of Kevin Gore (four), Stephen Nolan (four, one free, one ’65), David Mooney (two), Jim Berry (two), Barry Redmond (two), Richie Kehoe, Richard Murphy and Liam Goff guided them home.

May 22, 2005, was a major day in the history of the St. Patrick’s club, as they played in the Senior hurling championsh­ip for the first time.

However, Rapparees weathered the storm in more than one sense in Monamolin as, not alone did they cope with the awful conditions, they also dealt admirably with the best their fired-up rivals could throw at them in the course of a 1-11 to 0-6 success.

Substitute Eamonn Furlong scored the goal for the victors who were captained from his midfield berth by Adrian Fenlon.

Given the importance of the occasion, it’s worth noting the St. Patrick’s line-out:

Stuart Quinn; Tynan Flynn, Mark Furlong, Stephen Morris (capt.); Fergus Gahan, Kevin Kavanagh, Gary Curley (0-1 free); Paul Ryan, Liam Kenny; Damien Grannell, Damien Carter, Stephen Tighe; Tommy Morris, Gary Masterson, Stephen Ryan (0-5, 3 frees, 1 ’65). Sub. - Cayman Flynn for Tighe.

 ??  ?? Darragh Ryan cutting out the progress of Stephen Banville during his comeback club game in 2005.
Darragh Ryan cutting out the progress of Stephen Banville during his comeback club game in 2005.
 ??  ?? Paul Wilson of St. Martin’s tackles Willie Whelan (Oulart-The Ballagh).
Paul Wilson of St. Martin’s tackles Willie Whelan (Oulart-The Ballagh).

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