Wexford SHC Final

Naomh Eanna 2-18 Oylegate-Glenbrien 2-12

By Ronan Fagan at Chadwicks Wexford Park

Captain Conor McDonald blasted home a 46th minute goal as Naomh Eanna stormed past Oylegate-Glenbrien in the second-half of Sunday’s Wexford Senior hurling championship showpiece at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Underdogs Oylegate-Glenbrien, in their first final since 1963, were strong challengers as goals at the start of either half trigged them into a 2-8 to 1-8 lead shortly after the resumption.

But Naomh Eanna took control between the 36th and 49th minutes as they Gorey men overpowered the blues by 1-6 to 0-1 to finally get their noses in front.

And they powered to only their second ever Dr RJ Bowe Cup – and first since 2018 – to atone for the final heartache of 2020 and set up a Leinster quarter-final against the Offaly champions in early November.

Oylegate-Glenbrien wasted no time in stating their intent when joint-captain Seamus Casey gathered a long puck-out to rifle to the town-end net in the second-minute.

And they went close to netting again moments later when Podge Doran turned over a short Gorey puck-out to draw a ‘65 which Casey put over, before Doran generated a 1-2 to no-score gap from a line-ball.

Naomh Eanna responded with an eighth minute goal from Pádraig Doyle after collecting a hand-pass from Jack Cullen and peeling off the cover to blast home, before Charlie McGuckin had it down to 1-2 to 1-1.

Oylegate-Glenbrien weren’t budging though as Doran added a second line-ball and score merchant Casey stretched it to 1-5 to 1-1 after 15 minutes from a couple of frees, including one deep inside his own half.

But the gap was down to 1-6 to 1-5 by the 22nd minute as Wexford duo Cathal Dunbar and Conor McDonald (two) inspired Naomh Eanna support amongst the 6,800 attendance along with Cian Browne and Jack Cullen.

The Gorey goal survived another scare during that spell though when a delivery from Conor Heffernan was spilled by the ‘keeper with Peter Rowley’s bid to net being foiled by Brendan Travers.

After a double exchange of scores, Cullen levelled matters for the first-time on 1-8 apiece right on the stroke of half-time.

Oylegate-Glenbrien stole 2-8 to 1-8 ahead just 20 seconds after the resumption when Podge Doran profited after a delivery from Conor Heffernan sparked some juggling inside.

However, Naomh Eanna showed their mettle with that match-winning response to sweep into a 2-14 to 2-9 lead after 49 minutes.

McGuckin continued his stunning season with a hat-trick points while Jack Cullen (two frees) and McDonald also chipped in, and the latter rifled home a 46th minute goal after collecting a long delivery from Jack Doran before drawing the cover.

Oylegate-Glenbrien determinedly tried to rescue their hopes only to be shaded as Naomh Eanna ended a patchy campaign on a quite convincing note.

Scorers for Naomh Eanna: Conor McDonald 1-4, Pádraig Doyle 1-2 (1f), Jack Cullen 0-5 (4fs), Charlie McGuckin 0-4, Cathal Dunbar 0-2, Cian Browne 0-1.

Scorers for Oylegate-Glenbrien: Seamus Casey 1-7 (5fs, 2 65s), Podge Doran 1-2, Jack Reck 0-2, Conor Heffernan 0-1.

Naomh Eanna: Jack Cushe; Brendan Travers, Eoin Molloy, Tom Stafford; Charlie McGuckin, Cian Molloy, Cian Ó Tuama; Seán Doyle, Jack Doran; Cian Browne, Cathal Dunbar, Jack Cullen; Aodhán Doyle, Conor McDonald, Pádraig Doyle.

Subs: Eoin Conroy for S. Doyle, temp. (26-27), Seán Óg Whelan for Doran (65), Conroy for Travers (58).

Oylegate-Glenbrien: Aaron Duggan; Tomás Cosgrave, Ciarán Hourihane, Shane Reck; Mike Kelly, Damien Reck, Paudie Casey; Pa Cullen, Jack Reck; Fiachra Hourihane, Seamus Casey, Joe Dunne; Conor Heffernan, Podge Doran, Peter Rowley.

Subs: Jamie Reck for F. Hourihane (43), Evan Kelly for Heffernan (53), Fergal Doran for Rowley (55).

Referee: Dan Crosby (Kilmore).