Senior Hurling: Fr. Tom Burke's v Wexford

Wexford 0 -14 Tom Burke’s 0-21

Fr. Tom’s solidified their second place in the table with a well earned win over Wexford.  It was a close run first half, however in the second Tom’s picked up their game and held Wexford’s inside threats of David Dunne and Barry Carton in check in the second half.  There were some fine scores from Keith Kennedy and Niall Burke to propel Tom’s to the win.

Tom's Kevin Dunne tries to break free from his challenger.

It was an entertaining first half at the end of which Tom’s held the slightest edge.  Tom’s got off to the faster start and had clocked up four points before Wexford tallied their first.  A Paul Winters free, Keith Kennedy, Paddy Purcell, and Winters again, this time play had Tom’s in the early lead.  Once Wexford got into it the scores began to flow.  Barry Carton was at corner forward was the main outlet for Wexford, and Conor Murray chipped in with some well taken efforts from midfield.

Each side fired several wides, however the gap was almost closed as Wexford pointed through Murray and Eoghan Kavanagh as the half drew to a close.  At the break it was Tom’s with 9 and Wexford with 8, and it was set up to be anybody’s game.

Wexford's Davey Dunne just escapes the challenge of Shane Howley.

Tom’s dug in for the second period and did some stellar work in the back line.  Dylan Costello and Shane Howley dropped to help in their own defence and along with Keith Kennedy, Simon Og Lyons and Sean McClelland, did plenty of cleaning up.  Wexford at times overplayed the ball rather than taking the early scoring chances, and that worked against them.  There were some amazing scores to add to the hard defensive work.  Kennedy put a couple of long range efforts over the bar from inside his own half.  Niall Burke was another major asset to his side at center forward and tallied some great scores himself.  

With Wexford’s corner forwards held in check the Brighton based side were forced to rely on long rage efforts from Conor Murray, however it was not going to be enough to turn the tide as Wexford needed a goal or two at that point to turn the tide.  A win for Tom’s who have booked their semi-final place.  Next week’s final round may not even decide who will join them; both Galway and Wexford have tough assignments in Tom’s and Tipp respectively.  If both teams win (or lose) we will be looking at a mid-week playoff scenario.

Tom’s:  A. Keating, S. Og Lyons, S. McClelland, S. Dolan, K. Kennedy, C. Burke, S. Howley, D. Costello, P. Purcell, N. Burke, P. Winters, D. O’Mahoney, K. Dunne.  Wexford:  S. Barry, K. Keyes, C. Robinson, M. Morris, J. Desmond, T. Moloney, J. Kehoe, C. Murray, E. Flaherty, E. Kavanagh, DJ Foran, B. Carton, D. Dunne.

By Rory O'Donnell