Sludds grabs vital goals
Tuesday August 31 2010
TWO GOALS from corner-forward Kevin Sludds proved decisive as Crossabeg-Ballymurn ended the reign of holders Kilmore with a decisive six-point victory in this entertaining Wexford District Junior 'D' hurling championship final at Wexford Park on Thursday last.
The inside forward power of Sludds along with Liam Kehoe dismantled the Kilmore challenge, getting a tally of 2-14 between them in what was a hugely-impressive display from the winners' second string who, but for a brief spell during the opening half, were always the dominant force.
Kilmore tried hard to match their opponents, but despite their tally of five goals they hadn't the quality through the field, with the defence, particularly the full-back line, finding it difficult to cope. As a result they were playing catch-up for most of the game.
Inside the opening quarter the eventual winners had swept into a 1-5 to nil lead, the goal a 15th-minute effort from David Bury, while Kehoe chipped in with three of the points, two from frees.
Kilmore went on to enjoy their only dominant spell in the following five minutes. Paddy Byrne opened their account with a pointed free, while the 'keeper dropped an Aaron Goff lob to the net. After Noel Casey added a further point, a low shot from Byrne found its way to the net to bring the sides level (1-5 to 2-2) after 18 minutes.
But that was as good as it got for Kilmore as the eventual winners went on to hit seven unanswered points to lead by 1-12 to 2-2 at the interval.
With the sides continuing to trade early second-half points, there was never any doubting the Crossabeg-Ballymurn dominance. They led by 2-17 to 2-5 when Byrne shot a 53rd-minute goal which was followed by a Paul Murphy goal, having switched to the atttack, two minutes later.
However, Crossabeg-Ballymurn stormed back for a Kevin Sludds goal three minutes from the end. Kilmore responded with a late Thomas White goal but by then they had relinquished their title.
- BRENDAN FURLONG in Wexford Park
