Ciaran O Shaughnessy accepts cup and wins man of match award.
The Shelmalier minor hurlers retained their county title after a hard fought encounter with the Rapparees on Saturday last in Rosslare. The Shelmaliers raced into an early five point lead with points from Brian Doyle, Joe Kelly (2) and Conor Byrne (2). As soon as the Rapparees replied with a point of their own, the Shels responded with three further points with Chris Wall scoring from a free, Joe Kelly following a great individual run through the defense and Conor Byrne for a difficult 65 free. Conor Walsh continued the pressure for the Shels with a point from all of 60 yards, with the Rapparees soon responding with a goal and two point to leave a three point margin as the half drew to a lose. The Shelmaliers had to replace through injury of influential forward Joe Kelly at half time, but replacement James Gordon certainly played his part with some decisive runs. Conor Walsh and Eoin Doyle combined excellently to extend their teams lead in the first 15 minutes. However the Rapparees never gave up when scoring a goal and a point to leave a three point margin between the teams. The Shelmaliers domination began to tell with team captain Ciaran O Shaughnessy lead by example in mid field, assisted by follow midfield by Eoin Doyle. The defense lead by full back Aaron Watters, Brian Tobin, Brendan Barron, James Doyle, Conor Byrne and Andre O Brian never allowed to Rapparees attack to gain the upper hand. The attack was lead by Conor Walsh, with Chris Wall, James Gordon, Shane O Connor, Ronan Kavanagh, Shane Murphy and Brian Doyle giving great assistance. There was a single point between the sides when the Rapparees scored a goal and three point without reply after twenty minutes, but the skill and determination of the Shels side was very much in evidence in the closing stages when they finished off the game with a goal and three point of their own with Shane O Connor getting the decisive score in the closing stages of the match. Captain Ciaran O Shaughnessy accepted the cup from county chairman Des Croke and he also had the honour of winning the man of the match award.