Shelmaliers shock Rathnure to claim Wexford senior title

Conor Hearne, captain of Shelmaliers, lifts the cup as his team-mates celebrate. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Wexford SHC final: Shelmaliers 1-18 Rathnure 2-13

A stirring opening twenty minutes to the second half inspired by a dominant Conor Hearne display helped Shelmaliers emerge with a shock two point victory over hot favourites Rathnure in this Pettitt's Super-Valu Wexford senior hurling championship final played at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

There was so much to take from this game which swung in so many different ways during the course of the sixty minute, but it was the Shelmaliers who showed courage and real character during the first twenty minutes of the second half.

Having played with a strong wind in the first half, they had to depend on a fine closing ten minutes to go in with a four point interval lead, which many felt did not seem sufficient, given what Rathnure had showed through the opening quarter when on occasions they tore the eventual winners to shreds, leading 1-2 to 0-2 during this impressive spell.

Not since 2020 had Shelmaliers laid their hands on the Dr. Bowe Cup, but unquestionably they stunned the 4970 attendance with an inspirational opening twenty minutes to the second period inspired by inter-county colleagues, Simon Donohoe from centre-back and midfielder Conor Hearne while the returning Sean Keane Carroll from Australia,rocked the Rathnure defence every time he gained possession.

Shelmaliers manager Richie Power drops to his knees after the final whistle. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

In a final many expected to go Rathnure's way, thus erasing last year's final defeat, their claims looked justified, when they prized open the Shels defence to point, with Jack Redmond following with a pointed free, while it took some desperate defending to keep the over the water side in the game.

A first every hurling final meeting between these two sides, was living up to expectations, as Ross Banville and Keane Carroll brought the sides level, but after eight minutes a horrible defensive mix-up which saw keeper misplace a pass leaving Shane Lawlor to tap the ball into an empty net, giving Rathnure a 1-2 to 0-2 lead.

With the Shels defence looking decidedly shaky during these opening stages, they came desperately close to conceding a further goal, but tremendous defensive play from Simon Donohoe denied Rory Higgins a goal. Following this a brace of Banville pointed frees steadied they Shels challenge and they were suddenly back level, 0-6 to 1-3, before a Paul Hearne point edged them in front for the first time.

Banville continued to punish indiscipline in the Rathnure defend, with further pointed frees to go with a huge long range effort from Simon Donohoe leaving them leading 0-11 to 1-4 at the interval.

Sean Keane Carroll of Shelmaliers in action against Kyle Martin of Rathnure. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Former Kilkenny great Richie Power, the Shels manager, got an inspirational response from his charges for within twenty seconds of the restart, Conor Hearne finished to the net from an acute angle, while further pointed frees from Banville and a Glen Malone effort from play had them 1-14 to 1-4 clear after 38 minutes.

After the sides traded points, Rathnure knew it was going to take something special to haul them back into the game. They managed to control the closing ten minutes, as Jack Redmond added points, and finding the net after a great Rory Higgins run, leaving the scoreline 1-17 to 2-12, with six minutes remaining.

As the final minutes unfolded they almost snatched victory when a Michael O'Connor cross found Eamonn Wickham in space to the right of goal, but what appeared a goalbound shot was denied as Simon Donohoe got his hurley to the ball to deflect it over the bat, as the Shels held out for what can best be described as a glorious victory.

Scorers for Shelmaliers: R Banville (0-12, 9 frees), C Hearne (1-1), G Malone, S donohoe, P Hearne, S Keane-Carroll, E Nolan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Rathnure: J Redmond (1-4, 2 frees), S Lawlor (1-0), A J Redmond (3f), E Wickham (0-3 each), R Higgins, S O'Connor, M Redmond (0-1 each) 

SHELMALIERS: A Howlin; R Delaney, A Cash, J Donohoe; G Malone, S Donohoe, J Cash; C Hearne, J Roche; A Kinsella, R Banville, P Hearne; S Keane-Carroll, E Nolan, S Denton.

Subs: P Connors for Denton (23), C Doyle for P Hearne (57), J Kelly for Nolan (58).

RATHNURE: K Martin; I Reilly, B Quigley, C O'Neill; C Mooney,m S Martin, D Wickham; C Somers, E Wickham; J Redmond, A J Redmond, R Higgins; S O'Connor, L Codd, S Lawlor. 

Subs: Ciaran O'Connor for Codd(38), M O'Connor for Quigley (40);M Redmond for D Wickham (47), E O'Neill for Lawlor (47), Michael O'Connor for Mooney (62).

Referee: S Burke (Na Fianna Clonard).