Champs inflict crushing defeat on Harriers
CHAMPIONS Oulart-The Ballagh advanced to the semi-finals of the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship with a blissfully simple trouncing of Faythe Harriers in Wexford Park on Sunday last.
It was never expected to be close but, after a battling first 15 minutes against the breeze, the Wexford town side capitulated under a barrage of scoring.
The fact is Oulart-The Ballagh have too many good players all over the park, and it is hard to imagine that any of the three sides remaining in the championship could match the exploits of St. Martin's two years ago.
With four points on the board - including a huge score by full-back Colin Keeling - in the opening 20 minutes, the Harriers by and large did well while playing into a strong breeze blowing into the Clonard end.
However, two goals inside 60 seconds proved the crippling blows that paved the way for victory. A one-two with the on fire Des Mythen gave Garrett Sinnott the chance to fire home a first, while hat-trick hero Nicky Kirwan grabbed his opener moments later as Oulart-The Ballagh eased twelve clear (2-10 to 0-4).
Three more unanswered points before the break, with Mythen grabbing his fourth, put further gloss on the scoreboard, but it took time after the break for the Enniscorthy District side to regain top form.
Three points were added in twelve minutes after the resumption but it wasn't until the third goal - a fantastic finish by Kirwan - that they kicked back into gear.
Seán Murphy and a sharp Rory Jacob added minors before Kirwan bagged his hat-trick, rounding the parting Harriers defence with ease before lashing past an isolated Ian Scallan.
As the forwards continued to struggle against the resolute Oulart-The Ballagh defence, it was left to others to pick off the odd score for the Harriers. Richie Kehoe and Barry Goff were two of those to add second-half scores but their side's flurries forward were few and far between.
The more the defences creaked, the easier Jacob found scores to come by. Indeed, Darren Nolan also had an easier time of it late on, grabbing three minors as Oulart-The Ballagh ran out 30-point winners to again show their credentials as possible All-Ireland contenders.
- DEAN GOODISON in Wexford Park
