Holders to face Rathnure in Wexford SHC final

Rathnure will provide the opposition for holders St Martin's in the Wexford SHC final following their respective semi-final wins over Naomh Éanna and Ferns St Aidan's at Chadwicks Wexford Park yesterday.

A revitalised Rathnure St Anne's will contest their first final since 2011 after recovering from a slow start to oust favourites Naomh Éanna on a 0-21 to 1-15 scoreline. The Gorey men raced into an early 0-4 to 0-0 lead before Rathnure fought back with points from Mick Redmond and Luke Codd to take a 0-9 to 0-8 lead into the break.

The side from the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountains extended their advantage to six points after the restart through scores from Codd and the Redmonds, Mick and AJ, before a late Cathal Dunbar goal halved the deficit. Dunbar almost forced extra-time at the death, only to be denied an equalising goal by Rathnure 'keeper Kyle Martin.

St Martin's remain on course to retain the RJ Bowe Cup after seeing off Ferns by 1-22 to 3-9 in the other semi-final.

County star Rory O'Connor hit 0-10 for the the holders who led by 1-11 to 1-6 at the interval after Mikey Coleman cancelled out Niall Murphy's goal for St Aidan's.

Corey Byrne-Dunbar (penalty) and Ian Byrne raised further green flags for Ferns in the second half, but points from O'Connor, Darren Codd and Jake Firman ensured the champions wouldn't be caught.