County Champions- Report

After the great comeback last week in order to force a replay the Shelmalier junior hurlers showed their intent from the first ball when they again took on Gusserane in the replay in Wexford Park on Saturday.

The Shelmalier players continued where they left off a week earlier with sheer force and determination they challenged for every ball from start to finish and the final scoreline of 6-13 to 0-10 accurately reflects this skill and determination. Conor Byrne got the Shelmaliers off to an early lead with a point in the first minute with Shane Griffith registering his team’s first goal in the 10th minute. Further points form Conor Byrne, Ronan Kavanagh, Graham Staples and Denis Kelly saw the Shelmaliers lead by 1-9 to 0-2 at half time. Gusserane played with the breeze in the second half and put some early pressure on the Shelmaliers back line by Eoghan Fitzgerald, Kevin O Leary, Eoin O Leary and goalie Fergal Hynes cleared their lines on several occasions. Early points from James Cash and Chris Gordon before Shane Griffith got his second goal in the 12th minute and further goals from Eoghan Nolan (2), James Cash and Michael Feeney saw an easy victory for the black and amber side. There was great cheering from the vast Shelmalier supporters as Captain Kevin O Leary received the cup from his aunt Country Secretary Margaret Doyle. Shelmalier panel: Fergal Hynes, Eoin O Leary, Kevin O Leary, Eoghan Fitzgerald, Aaron O Neill, Graham Staples, Cian Manley, Denis Kelly, Emmet O Leary, Conor Byrne, Eoghan Nolan, Chris Gordon, Shane Griffith, Ronan Kavanagh, James Cash, Barry O Connor, Michael Feeney, Stephan Whelan, Paul McCleane, Aodhan Foley, Cathal Gaule, Craig Parker, Michael Kelly, Shane Birney, Joe Redmond and Seamie Harding.

Junior hurlers reach Co. final 2016

recently.

They now play Gusserane in the county junior hurling final in a few weeks’ time. The Rappareers got off to an early start with the first two points but the Shelmaliers were soon on level terms with Conor Byrne third point after 15 minutes. A great move involving a number of players saw Michael Feeney catching in the square and a pass to James Cash who fired to the roof of the net giving his side the lead for the first time. Two further points from Conor Byrne saw the side’s level at half time. Points from Michael Feeney, Conor Byrne, Graham Staples saw the Shelmaliers retain their lead with was further extended when Conor Byrne was fouled in the square and the same player scored the resulting penalty.  The Shelmalier team was: Fergal Hynes, Eoin O Leary, Kevin O Leary, Eoghan Fitzgerald, Cian Manley, Barry O Connor, Aaron O Neill, Denis Kelly, Graham Staples, Chris Gordon, Conor Byrne, Emmet O Leary, Michael Feeney, Stephen Whelan and James Cash. Subs used Niall Murphy, Eoghan Nolan, Craig Parker and Ronan Kavanagh.