Our senior team met Rathnure in Wexford park on Saturday evening last in the opening round of the County Championship.
Missing several regulars, David Walsh, Tommy Barron, Clive Lawler, David Cloney, Ciaran (Gooch)Walsh and Conor Byrne we started the brighter of the two sides, with County hurler Stephen Banville opening our account with a well taken point. There followed a fiery time, which resulted in first Paul Codd (Rathnure) and then Mick Kelly (Shels) being shown red cards. Both sides settled down and in this period Shels were dominant and they went into the break 2 points ahead.
For the first 10 minutes on the re start Shels forged ahead and stretched their lead to 5 points. They were playing a great style of hurling and converting their chances well. Joe Kelly and Ciaran O’Shaughnessy scoring at will. Then disaster struck, a loose ball was sent in towards the Shels goal, and with a melee of hurlers around it, it was passed to a loose Rathnure man and goalie Eoin Doyle with the sun in his eyes stood no chance to save the shot. Rathnure got renewed confidence and ended the game the stronger side. Final score 2-13 to 0-17 in favour of Rathnure.
Best on the day were the midfield pairing of Colin Kehoe and Ciaran O’Shaughnessy, Centre Back, Brian Malone and Full Back and Captain Aidan Murphy.
Team: Eoin Doyle, Andre O’Brien, Aidan Murphy, John Kelly, Conor Walsh, Brian Malone, Mick Kelly, Colin Kehoe, Ciaran O’Shaughnessy (0-3) Alan Griffith,Dessie Kehoe, Joe Kelly (0-9, 4F, 2 65′) Seamie Harding, Stephen Banville (0-3) and Chris McGrath (0-1)
Subs introduced: Benny Barron (0-1)James Gordon