Shelmaliers knock-out Crossabeg Ballymurn to reach semi finals of Wexford Senior Hurling Championship

First up in what was meant to be a double header on Saturday evening in the Wexford Pettit’s Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final at Chadwick’s Wexford Park…

Neighbours Shelmarliers take on Crossabeg/Ballymurn. Shelmaliers came into this game as strong favourites. In the second game, the Rapparees were due to take on St Annes, however, an issue with the generator at Chadwicks Wexford Park meant that the floodlights would not work – and that it had to be postponed.

The Shelmarliers topped their group after winning 4 of their 5 games in the group qualifying for the quarter finals automatically. The Shelmarliers’ only defeat came against Cloughbawn in their final group game.

As for Crossabeg, they came into this game in poor form and were strong underdogs for this clash after losing every game in the group phase.

Despite this, Crossabeg did manage to defeat Cloughbawn in their preliminary Quarter Final to avoid a relegation decider. Crossabeg did get the better of the Shelmarliers in their last showdown in the group stage last year in a tight affair by a score line of 1-15 to 0-16 win for Crossabeg. The Shels were out for revenge on this occasion.

The first half begun at a blustery Chadwick’s Wexford Park. The Shelmarliers got off to a 3 points to no score lead in the first 10 minutes. Two Ross Banville points and one from play from the Wexford county man Connor Hearne.

Crossabeg/Ballymurn had to patiently wait 11 minutes for their opening score of the contest. The highlight of the half was certainly Bill Eviston’s long range point from distance for Crossabeg/Ballymurn’s 2^nd and last point of the half.

The Shelmarliers were 0-7 to 0-2 up at half time. It very much was a under whelming first half in tough conditions in Chadwick’s Wexford Park, but the Shelmarliers were well on top in the 1^st half.

The 2^nd half begun and the wind picked up too. Crossabeg had the strong wind advantage for the second half.

The Shelmarliers got into a 0-11 0-05 lead and the game was seemingly getting away from Crossabeg until Crossabegs shining light Mark Byrne scored a bullet of a goal past the Shelmarliers goal keeper Adam Howlin.

Now, all of a sudden, Crossabeg had their tails up and the Crossabeg crowd really started to get behind their team.

The game was set up for a dramatic final few minutes in Wexford Park.

Crossabeg/Ballymurn were right back in this now, whereas before, it did seem that the Shelmarliers were getting away from them.

Crossabeg got two more points after the goal thanks to two inspirational points from both Niall Cullen and Oisìn Foley. The game at this point was down to the minimum – just one point between the sides.

The Shelmarliers weathered the Crossabeg storm by responding with two Ross Banville frees. Crossabeg managed to get one more Mark Byrne free. However, it wasn’t enough as Connor Hearne got his second point of the day and the insurance point for the Shelmarliers. Referee John O’Loughlin blew the full-time whistle as the Shels saw off Crossabeg in a poor match in tough conditions on Saturday evening at Chadwick’s Wexford Park.

Crossabeg/Ballymurn’s championships dream is over for 2024. Meanwhile, the Shelmarliers dream is still very much alive as they advance to the semi-finals of the Wexford Senior Hurling Championship as they await the winners from the three other quarter finals. In the other quarter-finals, Naomh Eanna will take on Faythe Harriers, the Rapparees will take on St Annes, while St Martins will play Ferns St Aidans.