Shelmaliers 3-18
Naomh Éanna 3-11
SHELMALIERS HAVE WON the Wexford Senior Hurling Championship for just the second time in their history after an impressive victory over 2018 champions Naomh Éanna in this afternoon’s decider at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
They were inspired by a man-of-the-match display in attack from Ross Banville, who contributed a personal tally of 1-8. After scoring his side’s first goal, Banville also turned provider for Sean Keane Carroll and James Cash to raise green flags.
Having played with the aid of the wind in the first half, Shelmaliers were on course to take a lead of just two points into the interval. After registering 10 wides, as well as coughing up an avoidable goal with some defensive sloppiness, they would have been disappointed to hold such a slender advantage at the break.
However, Banville fired a penalty to the net on the stroke of half-time to leave the scoreboard displaying a more accurate reflection of the first half. Arnie Murphy, who replaced the injured Conor Walsh early on, created the opportunity when a cluster of Naomh Éanna backs were deemed to have fouled the substitute as he bore down on goal.
Naomh Éanna had stayed in touch with four frees from Padraig Doyle and a goal scored by Cathal Dunbar, whose scuffed effort deceived Brian Murphy on 20 minutes.
Shelmaliers, in the ascendancy by 1-10 to 1-5, pulled further ahead in the early stages of the second half. A Keane Carroll point was followed by Cash’s goal, which was engineered by a delightful pass from Banville.
The response was positive from Naomh Éanna, who brought the deficit back to five points within 90 seconds with Padraig Doyle’s first point from play and a goal from Cian Molloy. Further frees from Doyle and substitute Darragh Hughes left just a goal between the teams.
Nevertheless, Shelmaliers withstood the challenge. Keane Carroll scored their third goal from close range, which was again assisted by Banville, before four unanswered points – three of them from Banville and a second of the game for Jody Donohoe – took the intensity out of the closing stages as the Castlebridge side raced into a 3-15 to 2-9 lead.
Gary Molloy’s stoppage-time goal was scant consolation for Naomh Éanna as they fell short in their bid to reclaim the silverware they won for the first time two seasons ago.
For Shelmaliers, it’s a first title since their maiden triumph of 2014.
Scorers for Shelmaliers: Ross Banville 1-8 (1-0 pen, 0-3 frees, 0-1 ’65); Sean Keane Carroll and James Cash 1-1 each; Conor Hearne and Jody Donohoe 0-2 each; Glen Malone, Eoin Doyle, Ciaran O’Shaughnessy and Eoghan Nolan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Naomh Éanna: Padraig Doyle 0-7 (0-6 frees); Cathal Dunbar 1-0, Cian Molloy and Gary Molloy 1-0 each; Darragh Hughes 0-2 (0-1 free); Conor McDonald and Gearoid Cullen 0-1 each.
Shelmaliers
1. Brian Murphy
2. Simon Donohoe
3. Aidan Cash
4. Jody Donohoe
5. Glen Malone
6. Brian Malone
7. Conor Walsh
8. Conor Hearne
9. Eoin Doyle
10. James Cash
11. Ross Banville
12. Sean Keane Carroll
13. Eoghan Nolan
14. Ciaran O’Shaughnessy
15. Joe Kelly
Subs
18. Arnie Murphy for Walsh (injured) (7)
19. Kyle Roche for O’Shaughnessy (60)
17. Andre O’Brien for J Donohoe (60)
21. Dylan O’Neill for Kelly (60)
Naomh Éanna
1. Jack Cushe
2. Pedro Travers
3. Brendan Travers
4. Eoin Conroy
5. Sean Doyle
20. Tom Stafford
7. Jack Cullen
8. Aodhan Doyle
9. Gary Molloy
10. Charlie McGuckin
11. Padraig Doyle
12. Cian Molloy
13. Cathal Dunbar
14. Conor McDonald
15. David O’Brien
Subs
17. Darragh Hughes for O’Brien (36)
22. Jack Doran for Dunbar (53)
19. Gearoid Cullen for McGuckin (53)
23. Cian Browne for Stafford (60)
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