Sheehan Cup First Round: Wexford v Fr. Tom Burke's

Wexford 2-10 Fr. Tom Burke’s 1-13


Wexford and Fr. Tom’s opened the Kieran Sheehan Cup competition with an entertaining game of hurling on Sunday afternoon. At the end of the first half it looked as if Tom’s had affairs in hand, but Wexford came back in the second to split the difference and earn a point.

Fr Tom's Cathal Egan is pursued by Dominic Magill.

Tom’s had the better of it in the first half as Wexford looked a little sluggish. Shane Howley opened the scoring for Tom’s, and Wexford popped over three points before Tom’s gained control of affairs. It began with a goal from Cathal Egan. Seamus Higgins shot was saved well by Ed Spruhan, and JJ O’Neill looked to clear the rebound but Higgins got his stick to the loose ball and it hot the roof of the net. The points began to flow for Tom’s from that point on. Cormac Joyce Power held the line at center back, and scores came from Howley and Egan. With Wexford on the ropes, Colm Kerins landed a goal that came from sheer determination, followed by a point and Wexford were back in it. At the break it was 1-9 to 1-5 in favour of Tom’s.

Wexford's Gags O'Connor is highest for this ball.

The second half saw Wexford continue to whittle down the deficit. The Slaneysiders were much more in the game, and center forward Kevin Sheerin played a big part in the comeback. Wexford were winning much more ball in critical areas and stunted the Tom’s attack. A goal from a penalty brought Wexford almost on level terms. Sheerin stepped up to take it and landed the ball into the back of the net. Back to back frees from Tom Moloney ended up putting Wexford into the lead, and Shane Howley answered with one for Tom’s to level matters before the final whistle sounded. Tom’s might be a little disappointed not to have taken both points, but on the overall balance of play a draw was a fair result.

Wexford:  E. Spruhan, P. Nolan, D. Redmond, B. Dalton, D. Magill, JJ O’Neill, T. Moloney, J. Kehoe, C. Kerins, K. Sheerin, G. O’Connor, P. Ryan, A. Cass.  Tom’s: D. Fox, S. O’Brien, J. Doran, P. Heneghan, CJ Power, D. Moore, P. McGrath, K. Moore, S. Howley, S. Higgins, D. Hession, C. Egan, T. Doran.

By Rory O'Donnell