Shelmaliers overcome the Rapps by 0-11 to 1-6 in close contest.
The Shelmalier under 21 hurlers made it through to the county final having overcome the Rappareers by 0-11 to 1-6 in the county semi final played on Monageer on Sunday last. A feature of the game was the wonderful free taking by ace forward Joe Kelly who contributed nine of his team’s eleven points with all but one coming from frees in very windy weather conditions. Full back Conor Byrne was the other scorer with two great points with frees from over 70 yards. The Shels led for most of the first half with Ciaran Walsh, Benny Barron, Clive Lawlor James Murphy and Ciaran O Shaughnessy showing up well in defense, but the Enniscorthy side scored a decisive goal on the stroke of half to lead by two points at the break. The second half was a tense affair with only a point or two separating the sides. The forward line was well lead by Thomas Barron and Jamie Horan, with assistance from Brian Doyle, Willie O Shaughnessy, Chris Wall and John Redmond.
Joe Kelly got the black and amber side off to great start with three pointed frees after 10 minutes and he made it three when Tommie Barron was fouled when going through for a goal. Conor Byrne made it 0-5 to 0-2 after 15 minutes when pointing from over 70 yards in difficult wind conditions. The Rapps coused an upset when getting a goal just before half with a long free landing in the square and ending up in the net, to make it 1-4 to 0-6 at half time.
The second half was a very close game with both sides showing some outstanding hurling in difficult conditions. The sides were level after 15 minutes, but the Shels pulled away with two late points from ace free taker Joe Kelly.