Nov 04,2024
St. Martin's 1-22 St. Anne’s 0-19
Barry O'Connor struck for a 46th minute goal as St Martin’s captured their first Wexford SHC since 2019 with Sunday’s derby success over St Anne’s at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
The eventual winners, runners-up two years ago, were cutting clear by 0-12 to 0-06 before St Anne’s closed to within 0-15 to 0-13.
But O’Connor then pounced for a goal which drew protests from the St Anne’s management as 'keeper Andrew Kennedy came under pressure from Rory O’Connor after the netminder caught a long delivery before Barry O’Connor netted the decisive breakthrough in a scramble.
Daithí Hayes’ charges are now away to Kildare champions Naas in the Leinster club quarter-finals on 17 November.
While Rory O’Connor and Darren Codd posted a 0-02 to no-score advantage for St Martin’s inside six minutes, their neighbours stifled their efforts for the remainder of the first quarter.
And St. Anne’s flourished stole ahead by 0-04 to 0-02 after fifteen minutes, with captain Justin Moran and Cillian Byrne levelling nine minutes in, before a couple of Kyle Kennedy frees handed them the initiative.
But, after an exchange, St. Martin’s made amends for some wasteful shooting to tie on 0-05 apiece in the 24th minute as Rory O’Connor posted a third free on the trot, two of which he earned himself.
A further exchange was followed by St Martin’s eventually asserting by 0-10 to 0-06 at the break, with Jake Firman launching the maroon and whites back in front after 29 minutes while Darren Codd sandwiched a long-range Jack O’Connor free with his second and third scores.
The leaders extended to a double-scores advantage within three minutes of the resumption as Kyle Firman and Rory O’Connor (’65) struck.
But St. Anne’s were roused as Liam Rochford, with a brace, and Liam Óg McGovern responded to shave the gap to 0-13 to 0-9 after 36 minutes.
And the Sky Blues made further strides when closing to within 0-15 to 0-13 on 45 minutes courtesy of free-taker Kennedy (two), sub Darragh Furlong and Liam Óg McGovern.
St Martin’s snapped back that somewhat fortuitous 46th minute goal, and although St Anne’s battled gamely, Rory O’Connor’s steady finishing – adding four further scores (three frees) – ensured St Martin’s healed the wounds of their 2022 final hurt.
St. Martin’s: Dylan Byrne; Paddy O’Connor, Conor Firman (capt.), Philip Dempsey; Eoin O’Leary. Joe Barrett (0-2), Daithí Waters; David Codd, Jake Firman (0-2); Darren Codd (0-3), Jack O’Connor (0-2), Rory O’Connor (0-11, 7 frees, 1 ‘65); Jack Devereux, Barry O’Connor (1-0), Kyle Firman (0-1).
Subs: Sam Audsley for Firman, temp. (10-12), Conor Coleman for Devereux (39), Ben Maddock (0-1) for K. Firman (50), Joe O’Connor for J. Firman (64), Audsley for O’Leary (65).
St. Anne’s: Andrew Kennedy; Liam Schokman, Tomás Cullen, Finn Ryan; Eoin Ryan, Kevin Breen, Páidí Doyle; Aidan Rochford, Diarmuid O’Keeffe; Justin Moran (capt., 0-1), Liam Óg McGovern (0-2), Cillian Byrne (0-1); Liam Rochford (0-3), Kyle Kennedy (0-7 frees), Andrew Moran.
Subs: Darragh Furlong (0-1) for Schokman (HT), Mark Furlong (0-4, 3 frees) for K. Kennedy (50), Michael Fogarty for Byrne (54).
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater).
