Junior Hurling: Tom's Defeat Champions

Fr. Tom Burke’s 1-13 Wexford 1-5

The Boston and North American junior hurling championship will have a new name on it after Fr. Tom Burke’s out hurled the champions on a wet, chilly Saturday afternoon.  Tom’s had Waterford men, Gavin Nugent and Tadgh O’hUallachain, in the half forward line to do a lot of damage, and the back line held up when called upon.  After a tight first half, Tom’s pulled away in the second to setup a showdown with Tipperary in next Saturday’s final.

Fr. Tom's Juniors will meet Tipp in next Saturday's final 

John Cuddy got Tom’s on the scoreboard with a free in the first minute, but Wexford answered almost immediately with a goal from Gearoid O’Connor, who pulled on a ball across the box from Peter Ryan.  O’Connor was making his return from a serious injury suffered in the Sheehan Cup early in the season.  Gavin Nugent then put three well taken points over the bar and Tom’s were ahead once again.  Dominic Magill did well at center back, and had Cormac Joyce-Power to contend with.  Joyce-Power won a handful of balls, but Magill might have had the edge in the first half.  Kevin O’Grady popped over a couple of points for Wexford, but Tom’s finished the half strong with points from Cuddy, Nugent, and O’hUallachain. 

Wexford Junior Hurlers lost out Saturday afternoon.

The second half began with Wexford trailing by a point, and it did not take long for the gap to widen between the teams.  Tom’s put five points over the bar without reply.  Nugent and O’hUallcahin were rampant.  Each added a point to the Tom’s lead.  James Dooley toiled hard in the Tom’s rearguard, and with Joyce-Power moved to corner forward the Limerick man eventually was rewarded with a point for his efforts.  Wexford’s first score came with more than 20 minutes gone in the half, and the Brighton men were chasing a lost cause at that stage.  Tom’s lead was six points.  O’hUallachain put the nail in the coffin with a goal after a typical solo run and that was it.  A fully deserved win for Tom’s who have the final to look forward to next weekend.

Referee:  James Owens  (Loch Garman)

Man of the Match:  Tadhg O’hUallachain (Fr. Tom’s)

Tom’s :  F. Keenan, L. Guinan, T. Doran, J. Mooney, D. Costello, J. Dooley, B. Smith,J. McGrath, T. O’hUallachain, C. Joyce-Power, G. Nugent, D. Hession, J. Cuddy.  Wexford:  K. Kehoe, D. Brennan, P. Nolan, R. Kelly, D. Magill, J. Whelan, JJ O’Neill, J. Foley, D. Power, P. Ryan, C. Kerins, G. O’Connor, K. O’Grady.

By Rory O'Donnell