Jamie wrecks Blackwater
Tuesday August 31 2010
OYLEGATE-GLENBRIEN edged out wasteful Blackwater by the proverbial skin of their teeth at sun-drenched Taghmon on Saturday last in the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship B quarter-final.
While the standard may not have been as good as expected, there was plenty of drama to keep spectators entertained.
The game began some 24-minutes behind schedule as the appointed referee, Paddy Stamp, failed to show, much to the annoyance of the supporters and players, many of whom were hoping to attend the Senior games at Wexford Park later in the evening. Ian Plunkett, who was in charge of the earlier game at the venue, eventually obliged much to the satisfaction of all.
The greater accuracy of Oylegate-Glenbrien separated the teams, with their winning point by Jamie Reck from far out on the left wing in the final seconds well worthy of winning any match.
In contrast, Blackwater had ample opportunities to succeed but their 13 wides over the hour showed their inaccuracy, and only 1-3 of their total came from open play.
It was 0-5 each at the end of a scrappy first-half in which the respective free-takers, Fergus Heffernan (Oylegate-Glenbrien) and Michael Lillis, were most prominent.
Blackwater had edged 0-9 to 0-8 ahead before the arrival of the first of the two Oylegate-Glenbrien goals within a minute of each other at the end of the third quarter.
A high ball in from Enda Sludds was forced over the line, with Trevor Moulton appearing to get the final touch.
Straight from the puck-out, John McCormack gained possession and soloed through for goal number two and suddenly Oylegate-Glenbrien were five points clear.
Blackwater fought back to earn two penalties in quick succession, both of which yielded a point, but Oylegate-Glenbrien suffered a blow when their very efficient goalie, Michael Shiggins, was sent-off on a second yellow card with 13 minutes remaining and M.J. Reck took his place between the posts.
Points from Denis O'Brien and Michael Lillis closed the margin, and when O'Brien followed up with a goal it put Blackwater back in front with four minutes to go.
But Oylegate-Glenbrien finished with a flourish as Fergus Heffernan levelled and Jamie Reck scored that fantastic winning point from 50 yards out close to the sideline.
Blackwater also finished with 14 players after Johnny Murphy was sent-off with two yellows three minutes from the end.
