Wexford SHC: Naomh Eanna narrowly defeat St Anne's, Ferns St Aidan's see off Faythe Harriers

WEXFORD SHC QUARTER-FINALS: Conor McDonald scored five crucial first half points that helped Naomh Eanna keep their championship hopes on course earning a two point 2-17 to 0-21 victory over St. Anne's (Rathangan).   Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Conor McDonald scored five crucial first half points that helped Naomh Eanna keep their championship hopes on course earning a two point 2-17 to 0-21 victory over St. Anne's (Rathangan) in this exciting Wexford senior hurling championship quarter-final clash at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

The Wexford inter-county attacker who had been going through an indifferent spell returned to form at the opportune time, capping a fine display with excellent point taking as the Gorey town side eventually had to withstand a final quarter St. Anne's rally.

Naomh Eanna played some sparkling hurling through the opening thirty minutes, with McDonald, Padraig Doyle and Aodhan Doyle seeing them build up what looked like a comfortable half-time lead of 1-12 to 0-7, the goal arriving five minutes before the break when an excellent McDonald pass set up Aodhan Doyle who finished splendidly.

Kyle Kennedy who had been his said main marksman through the opening half, mostly from frees, raised hopes of a recovery with a pointed free within sixty seconds of the restart.

Naomh Eanna stillappeared in control leading 1-14 to 0-11 as the game approached the final quarter. St. Anne's introduced Daragh Furlong and Shane Ryan to the attack. Furlong pointed within minutes with Ryan adding a further two points, with the south county side continuing to reduce the deficit through a dominant final quarter, leaving just two points separating the sides entering the closing minutes, but it was Naomh Eanna who held out for a two point victory.

Ferns St. Aidan's began this game impressively and they were never going to relinquish their grip on proceedings as they went on to emerge with a 1-19 to 0-14 victory over Faythe Harriers in their quarter-final clash.

A seventh minute Paul Morris goal was the setting for the remainder of the game as Ferns despite the point taking of Lee Chin for the Wexford town side still managed a 1-10 to 0-9 interval lead.

Ferns kept control through a disappointing second half as the Harriers showed a lack of penetration up front, only managing five second half points three of which were Chin frees, leaving the opposition to emerge with a comfortable eight point victory in the end.