Wexford SHC Final: Martin's win again

Wexford SHC Final

St. Martin’s 2-14 Rathnure 0-16

By Ronan Fagan at Chadwicks Wexford Park

For the second year running, Barry O’Connor was back from Australia to sink the match-clinching goal in the Wexford SHC final.

Having denied St. Anne’s twelve months ago with a scrambled finish, the former Wexford Senior footballer capitalised upon a defensive error in Sunday’s showpiece at Chadwicks Wexford Park to stitch the decisive 56th minute major (2-13 to 0-14).

It marks the first-time St. Martin’s have gone back-to-back in Wexford hurling, earning them a home Leinster Club quarter-final against defending All-Ireland champions Na Fianna (Dublin) on November 9^th.

Defeat, meanwhile, ends a fantastic run by Rathnure, who had recovered from relegation in 2023 to take Leinster Club Intermediate glory last year under new boss Declan ‘Skippy’ Ruth before coming so close to regaining domestic Senior honours for the first time since 2006.

With wind advantage, Michael Redmond, Seán O’Connor and defender A.J. Redmond settled Rathnure purposefully by 0-3 to 0-0 after four minutes.

But, after Mikey Coleman pegged it back to 0-3 to 0-1 in the fourth minute, sweeper A.J. Redmond made a vital intervention for Rathnure as Jack O’Connor and Jake Firman attempted to conjure a goal.

Jack Redmond restored a three point gap from an eighth minute free, only for Michael Codd to strike back.

As St. Martin’s emerged from their early slumber, the exchanges grew close, with Rathnure steadfastly refusing to allow the lead drop below two points until Jack O’Connor had it down to 0-9 to 0-8 at the break from a free earned by younger brother, Rory.

Darren Codd, wing-back Diarmuid O’Leary, Barry O’Connor, Michael Codd and Jake Firman had shot the defending champions back into contention as Rathnure held firm through Michael Redmond, Jack Redmond (three) and Rory Higgins.

Rathnure struck 0-12 to 0-8 clear three minutes into the second-half as corner-forward Seán O’Connor (two) and Jack Redmond appeared to signal renewed intent.

That surge was wiped out when Mikey Coleman lashed back for a 35^th minute goal after Barry O’Connor had revived a bid from the right wing for Jack O’Connor to provide the telling assist.

The sides were twice tied before Jack O’Connor gave the title-holders their first taste of the lead with a point from distance on 49 minutes (1-12 to 0-14).

Three wides immediately afterwards were of concern for them, but St. Martin’s eliminated all doubt when the O’Connor cousins combined to drive open a 2-13 to 0-14 gap after 56 minutes – Jack pointing a free from distance, before Barry maximised a defensive slip to drive through to sink the clinching goal.

Rathnure had squandered gilt-edged goaling chances through midfielders Luke Codd and Ciarán O’Connor.

But there wasn’t much the gallant black and amber could do after St. Martin’s late surge ensured that Daithí Hayes’ charges finally savoured maintaining a grip on the Dr. R.J. Bowe Cup.

Scorers for St. Martin’s: Barry O’Connor 1-2, Mikey Coleman 1-1, Jack O’Connor 0-4 (1f), Michael Codd, Darren Codd, Diarmuid O’Leary 0-2 each, Jake Firman 0-1

Scorers for Rathnure: Jack Redmond 0-8 (6fs), Seán O’Connor 0-4, Mick Redmond 0-2, A.J. Redmond, Rory Higgins 0-1 each

St. Martin’s: Callum Quirke; Eoin O’Leary, Philip Dempsey, Conor Firman (capt.); Daithí Waters, Diarmuid O’Leary, Joe Barrett; David Codd, Michael Codd; Darren Codd, Rory O’Connor, Jack O’Connor; Mikey Coleman, Barry O’Connor, Jake Firman.

Subs: Luke Kavanagh for M. Codd (43), Aaron Maddock for Firman (52), Ben Maddock for Coleman (55), Ben Stafford for Darren Codd (60).

Rathnure: Kyle Martin; Conor O’Neill, Brian Quigley, Micheál O’Connor; Donal Wickham, Stephen Martin (capt.), Charlie Mooney; Luke Codd, Ciarán O’Connor; Mick Redmond, Jack Redmond, Eamon Wickham; Seán O’Connor, A.J. Redmond, Rory Higgins.

Subs: Shane Lawler for C. O’Connor, temp. (19-20), Lawler for M. Redmond (40).

Referee: James Owens (Askamore).