Kirwan bags a hat-trick for Oulart

NICKEY KIRWAN inspired champions Oulart-the-Ballagh to a massive 6-17 to 1-9 victory over a disappointing St. Anne’s (Rathangan) in this Wexford SHC game at Wexford Park.

With this third successive victory, Oulart-the-Ballagh have assured themselves of a place in the knock-out stages while St Anne’s are struggling to avoid relegation.

The result was a foregone conclusion by the interval, as goals from Kirwan and Rory Jacob had the champions 2-9 to 0-6 ahead at the interval, despite playing against the wind.

While St. Anne’s gave brief hope of a recovery with a Liam Óg McGovern goal in the 41st minute, Oulart-the-Ballagh finished the game in style with goals from Kirwan (3) and Peter Murphy.

Three players received straight red cards as Half Way House/Bunclody shocked Glynn-Barntown (1-13 to 0-12) with Mylie Connors scoring the game’s only goal midway through the second period.

The eventual winners led 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval, while in a stormy second-half referee Paddy Stamp dismissed James Moorehead (HWH/Bunclody) and Eugene Furlong and John Leacy (Glynn-Barntown).

Cloughbawn, with 4-1 from the excellent Joey Lawlor, maintained their fine winning start to the campaign with a comfortable 4-11 to 1-10 victory over Shelmaliers, for whom Joe Kelly was leading scorer with five points.

Two goals from U21 corner-forward Padraig Byrne saw Oylegate-Glenbrien emerge with an easy 3-11 to 1-8 victory over Askamore while Enniscorthy Rapparees with Tomas Mahon hitting 0-7 comfortably saw off Ferns St. Aidan’s (1-16 to 2-10).

Last year’s beaten semi-finalists, Ferns St. Aidan’s who suffered their second successive defeat, now have to battle to retain their top flight status.