Wexford Win First Junior Hurling Title

Junior Hurling Final


Fr. Tom Burke’s 0-12 Wexford 1-18

Wexford claimed their first ever junior hurling championship with relative ease on Friday night. The Slaneysiders never looked in danger throughout the 60 minutes and led from start to finish. Eoghan Kavanagh put in a man of the match performance at corner forward, while the Wexford back line held firm against anything the Tom’s could throw at them.

The Wexford Junior Hurlers Celebrate their first junior hurling title.

Wexford lorded it over the first 30 minutes of the game and held a nine-point lead at the break. Eoghan Kavanagh seemed like the unstoppable force at corner forward for Wexford. Kavanagh accounted for seven of Wexford’s first ten points, five of those from play. Wexford also had the measure of their opposing forward line. Tom’s forays forward often fell on barren ground and scores were hard to come by. Points came from John Cuddy 65’s and a great effort from CJ Power, but Tom’s were unable to penetrate the Wexford rearguard with any sustained degree of success. With about 20 minutes gone a goal came for Wexford. A free from well inside the Wexford half went long and into the Tom’s penalty area. The ball managed to avoid contact from boot or stick and ended up rolling into the back of the net. While Tom’s were having no luck, Wexford got the bounce of the ball when it was not needed. Tom’s managed a two well earned points from Eugene Cummins and CJ Power before the break to give themselves some measure of hope going into the second half.

Wexford Captain Peter Nolan is presented with the Cup by
Boston North East Board Chairman John Farrell.

Tom’s made a better first of things in the second half, however, eating into Wexford’s lead proved to be elusive. After Kavanagh extended Wexford’s lead a further two points, Tom’s tallied four points in a row and hopes were raised among the Tom’s faithful that a comeback could be on the cards. It did not materialize however. Wexford were too good and never allowed Tom’s to get closer than seven points. Kavanagh sprang into action again with two more points and Wexford shut up shop at the back. Jamie Kehoe and John Joe O’Neill controlled the middle of the field. Late in the game, with Tom’s needing a couple of goals to have a chance CJ Power created an opening but Matt O’Donnell in goals for Wexford was equal to the shot. A well deserved first for Wexford who can look forward to their first foray at junior level next weekend in San Francisco.

Tom’s: J. O’Halloran, M. Moore, L. Guinan, P. Staunton, C. O’Callaghan, J. Dowling, E. Cummins (0-2), B. Smith (0-1), J. O’Callaghan, C. J. Power (0-2), G. Madden, J. Cuddy (0-7), C. Moore. Sub: J. Dooley (0-1). Wexford: M. O’Donnell, T. Ryan, P. Nolan, D. Brennan, J. Brennan, R. O’Shaughnessy, J. Kehoe (1-3), JJ O’Neill (0-1), C. Keirns (0-1), P. Ryan (0-1), R. Leydon, E. Kavanagh (0-12), B. O’Shea.


By Rory O'Donnell