Wexford SHC Final: Shelmaliers resist Rathnure comeback
Conor Hearne captain of Shelmaliers lifts the cup as his team-mates celebrate after the Wexford County Senior Club Hurling Championship final match between Shelmaliers and Rathnure at Chadwicks Wexford Park in Wexford. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile.
Pettitt's Wexford SHC Final
SHELMALIERS 1-18 RATHNURE 2-13
By Ronan Fagan at Chadwicks Wexford Park
Richie Power tasted Wexford SHC glory with Shelmaliers after they survived a late Rathnure fight-back in Sunday’s decider at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
An early second-half goal from captain Conor Hearne was prominent in Shelmaliers shooting back from a 1-3 to 0-2 deficit after thirteen minutes to transform matters by 1-15 to 1-4 after 39 minutes.
The eventual winners went close with a couple of further major chances before coming under unrelenting pressure from Rathnure, with Jack Redmond stitching a 53rd minute goal to help Declan ‘Skippy’ Ruth’s charges close to within 1-17 to 2-12 after 59 minutes.
Ross Banville responded with an eleventh personal point – eighth free – before Rathnure almost landed their first Dr. R.J. Bowe Cup since 2006 when Eamon Wickham’s injury-time goaling effort from a Michael O’Connor cross was deflected over by Man of the Match Simon Donohoe.
And Shelmaliers’ third-ever Wexford hurling crown sends them on to a Leinster Club quarter-final away to Westmeath winners Lough Lene Gaels on November 8th.
Shelmaliers responded to Jack Redmond drawing first-blood from a free as Ross Banville and Eoghan Nolan turned the tables by 0-2 to 0-1 after four minutes.
Rathnure posed the greatest danger during the first quarter, and captain Rory Higgins found full-forward Luke Codd for a seventh minute goal threat quickly negated by full-back Aidan Cash.
But Rathnure rocked their rivals moments later when a defensive mix-up saw an attempted back-pass to the ‘keeper ending with Shane Lawler booting to the net to regain an edge by 1-1 to 0-2.
And Shelmaliers almost gifted another major opportunity in the resulting re-start, but Rathnure couldn’t quite put on a sufficient squeeze.
Two Jack Redmond points – one free – nevertheless asserted Rathnure by 1-3 to 0-2, with Rory Higgins having been thwarted in a goaling bid by an immaculately timed hook from Simon Donohoe.
But the balance of power shifted significantly for the remainder of the first-half as Shelmaliers exerted dominance.
While the sides were level twice more – including when Jack Redmond tied it on 1-4 to 0-7 after 28 minutes – the Shels swept 0-11 to 1-4 clear at half-time.
Ross Banville led the way with seven closing scores (six frees), while Paul Hearne, and centre-back Simon Donohoe with a booming wind assisted long-range point had the momentum with the Shels at the change-of-ends.
And captain Conor Hearne pounced for a goal a mere fourteen seconds after the resumption to bolster the Wexford District outfit – an angled finish from an Aaron Kinsella set up – before Hearne, defender Glen Malone and Banville frees swelled the margin to 1-15 to 1-4 after 39 minutes.
In fact, the eventual victors went close with a couple of further goaling chances, the Rathnure defence gobbling up an attempted Eoghan Nolan delivery across the square to sub Paddy Connors, while ‘keeper Kyle Martin was defiant in preventing Seán Keane-Carroll from profiting off a Nolan assist in the 50th minute.
And Rathnure corner-back Conor O’Neill was exceptional in clearing off the ‘line from Nolan before the Enniscorthy District contenders mounted a stirring revival.
Jack Redmond had it back to 1-16 to 2-9 after 53 minutes having fired to the net off the opposing ‘keeper following a storming solo by Rory Higgins.
The Shels’ net came under further threat when goalie Adam Howlin defied Seán O’Connor before Eamon Wickham saw his follow-up bid denied by full-back Aidan Cash.
But sub Mick Redmond and Wickham had the gap down to 1-17 to 2-12 after 59 minutes.
And while Ross Banville responded with a pointed free, Rathnure looked set to snatch their first Dr. R.J. Bowe Cup since 2006 when sub Michael O’Connor’s cross from the left found Eamon Wickham ghosting in from the right.
The goal was at his mercy, but Simon Donohoe appeared to get a vital touch to deflect Wickham’s drive over for a point, as Shelmaliers held out to celebrate.
Scorers for Shelmaliers: Ross Banville 0-12 (8 frees), Conor Hearne 1-1, Eoghan Nolan, Paul Hearne, Simon Donohoe, Glen Malone, Seán Keane-Carroll 0-1 each
Scorers for Rathnure: Jack Redmond 1-4 (0-2 frees), Shane Lawler 1-0, A.J. Redmond (frees), Eamon Wickham 0-3 each, Rory Higgins, Seán O’Connor, Mick Redmond 0-1 each
Shelmaliers: Adam Howlin; Robbie Delaney, Aidan Cash, Jody Donohoe; Glen Malone, Simon Donohoe, James Cash; Conor Hearne, Joshua Roche; Aaron Kinsella, Ross Banville, Paul Hearne; Seán Keane-Carroll, Eoghan Nolan, Seán Denton. Subs: Paddy Connors for Denton (23), Cian Doyle for P. Hearne (57), Joe Kelly for Nolan (58).
Rathnure: Kyle Martin; Ian Reilly, Brian Quigley, Conor O’Neill; Charlie Mooney, Stephen Martin, Donal Wickham; Conor Somers, Eamon Wickham; Jack Redmond, A.J. Redmond, Rory Higgins; Seán O’Connor, Luke Codd, Shane Lawler. Subs: Ciarán O’Connor for Codd (38), Michael Connors for Quigley (40), Mick Redmond for D. Wickham (47), Eoin O’Neill for Lawler (47), Michael O’Connor for Mooney (60+2).
Referee: Stephen Burke (Na Fianna Clonard).
