St Martin's 2-14 Rathnure 0-16
Rathnure’s pursuit of a first Wexford SHC crown since 2006 came undone in a devastating finish by defending champions St Martin’s as the maroon and whites made their first-ever successful defence of the Dr RJ Bowe Cup.
They were met with a stern challenge from reigning Leinster intermediate champions Rathnure - back in the Wexford top-flight after a year’s absence - until Jack O’Connor gave St Martin’s their first taste of the lead after 49 minutes (1-12 to 0-14).
That lit the way for the champions to push on, Barry O’Connor, the match-winner from last year’s final, seizing upon a defensive mistake to net a 56th-minute goal and power the saints home.
They will now host reigning All-Ireland Club champions Na Fianna of Dublin in the Leinster Club quarter-final on 9 November.
Rathnure showed no inhibitions as they set out their stall with a 0-3 to no score lead inside four minutes courtesy of Michael Redmond, Seán O’Connor and defender AJ Redmond.
And the latter made a crucial intervention in denying St Martin’s a goal when shutting down Jake Firman from a Jack O’Connor assist.
That came after Mikey Coleman had got the defending champions on the board in the fourth minute (0-03 to 0-01) before Jack Redmond restored a three-point gap from a free.
Amid deteriorating weather, St Martin’s began to rustle up a challenge during a mediocre opening-half.
Rathnure still had a response to whatever was thrown at them though, with Michael Redmond, Jack Redmond (three) and Rory Higgins having the measure of St Martin’s scores from Michael Codd, Darren Codd, Diarmuid O’Leary, Barry O’Connor and Jake Firman, as the challengers didn’t let the lead slip below two points.
That was until Jack O’Connor eventually had it down to the minimum at half-time - 0-09 to 0-08 - from a free earned by his younger brother, Rory.
While Rathnure thundered into the second-half with a burst of points from corner-forward Seán O’Connor (two) and Jack Redmond, the opposition stung them for a 35th-minute goal.
Barry O’Connor recovered a seemingly lost situation out on the right flank to set Jack O’Connor away, and he sent Mikey Coleman cutting in from the inside left edge of the square to lash home a ground stroke which shaved the margin to 0-12 to 1-8.
Darren Codd tied matters for the first-time after 38 minutes (1-09 to 0-12) before Rathnure had the Saints’ goal under serious threat only for Luke Codd to be denied at the expense of a free converted by Jack Redmond.
And after the sides traded points (0-14 to 1-10), Ciarán O’Connor smashed another gilt-edged goaling chance wide for the challengers.
Relieved St Martin’s were back on terms after 46 minutes through Diarmuid O’Leary after a one-two from a line-ball with Barry O’Connor (1-11 to 0-14), before O’Connor’s cousin Jack gave the title-holders their first taste of the lead with a point from distance on 49 minutes.
While St Martin's leaked momentum when following with three wides, they were launched 2-13 to 0-14 clear as a booming free from Jack O’Connor was added to by cousin Barry, making the most the defensive error to dart through for a goal and propel them to back-to-back triumphs.
St Martin’s: Callum Quirke; Eoin O’Leary, Philip Dempsey, Conor Firman (capt); Daithí Waters, Diarmuid O’Leary (0-2), Joe Barrett; David Codd, Michael Codd (0-2); Darren Codd (0-2), Rory O’Connor, Jack O’Connor (0-4, 1 free); Mikey Coleman (1-1), Barry O’Connor (1-2), Jake Firman (0-1).
Subs: Luke Kavanagh for M. Codd (43), Aaron Maddock for Firman (52), Ben Maddock for Coleman (55), Ben Stafford for Darren Codd (60).
Rathnure: Kyle Martin; Conor O’Neill, Brian Quigley, Micheál O’Connor; Donal Wickham, Stephen Martin (capt), Charlie Mooney; Luke Codd, Ciarán O’Connor; Mick Redmond (0-2), Jack Redmond (0-8, 6 frees), Eamon Wickham; Seán O’Connor (0-4), A.J. Redmond (0-1), Rory Higgins (0-1).
Subs: Shane Lawler for C O’Connor, temp. (19-20), Lawler for M. Redmond (40).
Referee: James Owens (Askamore).
