O’Connor backed St Martin’s side pose a real threat to Shamrocks
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
AIB Leinster Club SHC Final
Shamrocks Ballyhale vs St Martin’s
Saturday, 6:30pm, Croke Park
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)
It may not have been on the radar of all those down in Pairc na Seamrog during the summer, but momentum is a wonderful thing, and that’s exactly what Henry Shefflin has harnessed in his beloved south Kilkenny club as they stand on the brink of claiming a 13th O’Neill Cup tomorrow when they take on the challenge of Wexford side St Martin’s in Croke Park in the final of the AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championnship (Throw-in 6:30pm).
Having last run out at headquarters in the provincial decider in 2022 where they would defeat Dublin champions, Kilmacud Crokes, Shamrocks Ballyhale will be determined to make up for lost time when they take to the Jones’ Road venue this weekend. Standing in their way of lucky number 13 will be Slaneyside kingpins, St Martin’s, who are certainly not here to make up the numbers. Daithi Hayes’s outfit have shown in the season to date, that they are a talented and dangerous side that will not be in awe of any perceived more illustrious opponent. Indeed, the Wexford side took down defending Leinster and All-Ireland champions, Na Fianna of Dublin in the provincial last eight clash in Chadwicks Wexford Park early last month in a performance that will have served as notice of their undoubted intent this season.
Having secured the EEW All County Hurling Division One League title with an 8-point victory over Rathnure, Hayes’s charges began prepping for a tilt at the senior championship crown in late June. First up for St Martin’s in round one was a game against Faythe Harriers, who were without the services of both Lee Chin and Richie Lawlor as the maroon and white clad team ran out 17-point winners. Next up was a clash with Rapparees, who squandered multiple chances and went down by four points to the Piercetown based side in round 2. It was three from three following a comprehensive ten-point victory over Oulart-The Ballagh, despite the absence of both Joe and Rory O’Connor. The penultimate group stage game saw St Martin’s take on local rivals, Glynn-Barntown and they earned the bragging rights with a workmanlike 6-point win, Mikey Coleman’s first half major laying the foundations for the win. The last group action saw the clash with Shelmaliers, who put in a spirited performance going down by five as St Martin’s maintained their unbeaten run in the Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship.
With the championship now in knockout mode, Oulart-The Ballagh were the quarterfinal opponents and St Martin’s, but offered little resistance as a 5-minute hattrick from Jack O’Connor helped his side to a 17-point win. The last eight demolition set up a semifinal encounter with Ferns St Aidan’s, where, again, they did enough to progress to the county final, with the O’Connor’s very much to the fore. That meant a return to Chadwicks Wexford Park to face off against beaten league finalists, Rathnure. Barry O’Connor landed a decisive blow following on from an earlier Mikey Coleman goal to secure a first ever back-to-back for St Martin’s.
A home tie to kick-off the provincial championship was the reward for Daithi Hayes’s men, and this saw the reigning Leinster and All-Ireland champions roll into town. Having lost out to the Dublin side at the semifinal stage last season, the Wexford side gained revenge, getting over the line by the bare minimum, thanks again, in no small measure to the contribution of Clan O’Connor. Barry, Jack and Rory contributed 18 of their sides total of 24. Dethroning the champions earned St Martin’s a last four berth, where they would face Kildare’s Naas, with home advantage. Naas had got the better of Mount Leinster Rangers but offered little in the way of a challenge as the Model County champions eased to a double score victory. With the wind at their backs, St Martin’s took full advantage and held a 10-point lead at the short whistle. They controlled matters after the interval and added six scores, all from the hurl of Rory O’Connor to book their place in the clubs first ever senior provincial final. They also become the first Wexford side since Oulart the Ballagh to reach the Leinster final in 2015.
The one theme running through Daithi ‘Bear’ Hayes’s team is a healthy splattering of O’Connor’s. Having lost Joe to the dreaded cruciate injury earlier this season, it has been the remaining trio of Jack, Rory and Barry that have been spearheading the Wexford club’s challenge. While Rory has been running up big totals, aided by accuracy from the placed ball, the contribution of brother Jack and cousin Barry has been crucial also. Henry Shefflin knows that his charges will need to be on top form to curb the O’Connor influence on Saturday’s final. Match-ups will be key, and the Shamrocks management team will have been watching the oppositions games to date as they hatch a plan to secure victory.
While the visiting Barry O’Connor has lined out with number 10 on his back, he tends to roam and can cause havoc while operating closer to goal, Joey Holden, Killian Corcoran and Brian Butler will need to be ready for the physical battle that the former AFL player will provide. Rory’s marksmanship from the placed ball will rival TJ, and both players will be determined to give their sides the advantage in this key facet of the game. In midfield, it could well be Aaron Maddock and Darren Codd for St Martin’s, while Ronan Corcoran and Eoin Keneally will be ready to lead the charge in the engine room for Shamrocks. As per usual, this area will see others flood in and out at times, and we can expect to see Eoin Cody cover plenty of the Croker pitch, a surface he knows all too well. The former two-time young hurler of the year top scored in the Leinster club championship in 2021 and will be keen to keep the scoreboard moving at the Drumcondra venue. With Niall Shortall in good form and the hard-working Liam Barron in attack, Henry will be hoping that the absence of Adrian Mullen won’t be too detrimental to the Shamrocks cause.
The half back line has once again been a real asset to the Kilkenny champions, and Richie Reid will look to command from centre back, with Evan Shefflin and Darragh Corcoran on the flanks. All three can score and their long-range shooting could be a vital weapon to the Noresiders. Dean Mason, as the last line of defence will need all his calmness and netminder skills to help keep a strong St Martin’s attacking unit at bay. It looks like the bench of the Wexford champions might be stronger than the options available to Henry, so it will be important that the Shamrocks starting XV deliver over the course of the 60-odd minutes. For now, the scene is set, both teams are ready to deliver and claim the O’Neill Cup. Let’s hope its lucky 13 for Shamrocks Ballyhale.
St Martin’s – Road to Croker
Pettitts Supervalue Senior Hurling Championship Gp B Round 1
St Martin’s GAA Club 1-26 vs Faythe Harriers 0-12
Round 2
St Martin’s GAA Club 3-12 vs Rapparees 1-14
Round 3
St Martin’s GAA Club 3-19 vs Oulart-The Ballagh 1-15
Round 4
St Martin’s GAA Club 1-20 vs Glynn-Barntown 0-17
Round 5
St Martin’s GAA Club 2-16 vs Shelmaliers 0-17
Knockout Q/F
St Martin’s GAA Club 4-18 vs Oulart-The Ballagh 1-10
Knockout S/F
St Martin’s GAA Club 1-22 vs Ferns St Aidans 3-9
Pettitts Supervalue Senior Hurling Championship Knockout Final
St Martin’s GAA Club 2-14 vs Rathnure 0-16
AIB Leinster Club SHC 25 Quarter-Final
St Martin’s 1-21 vs Na Fianna 2-17
AIB Leinster Club SHC 25 Semi-Final
St Martin’s 0-21 vs Naas 0-11
>>SHERRY SAYS…
Pairc Tailteann, Navan is the venue for Sunday’s AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship Final between our very own Danesfort and Meath side Ratoath. (Throw-in 1:30pm). Having seemingly defied the odds on Noreside, by defeating James Stephens to lift the intermediate title and claim a seat at the top table of Kilkenny club hurling, Adrian Burke’s charges are taking one final step in their bid to be crowned kings of Leinster.
With the evergreen Paul Murphy rolling back the years and anchoring at centre back, the ‘Fort are well equipped at half back, with Daire O’Neill and Des Dunne providing great dynamism for the black & amber clad side. With Paddy Hogan between the sticks and Diarmaid Phelan on the edge of the square, there is plenty of experience here also. Another dynamic duo is Cathal’s O’Neill and Kearney, two more players that love to get in on the scoring act. Further forward, Anthony Ireland Wall, Brian McDonald and the inform Fionn O’Mahony will test this Ratoath defence. Let’s hope our intermediate champions add a provincial title to their season and extend the season into 2026!
