St Martin's come good to land Wexford hurling crown

St. Martin's 1-22 St. Anne’s 0-19

Barry O'Connor struck for a 46th minute goal as St Martin’s captured their first Wexford SHC since 2019 with Sunday’s derby success over St Anne’s at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

The eventual winners, runners-up two years ago, were cutting clear by 0-12 to 0-06 before St Anne’s closed to within 0-15 to 0-13.

But O’Connor then pounced for a goal which drew protests from the St Anne’s management as 'keeper Andrew Kennedy came under pressure from Rory O’Connor after the netminder caught a long delivery before Barry O’Connor netted the decisive breakthrough in a scramble.

Daithí Hayes’ charges are now away to Kildare champions Naas in the Leinster club quarter-finals on 17 November.

While Rory O’Connor and Darren Codd posted a 0-02 to no-score advantage for St Martin’s inside six minutes, their neighbours stifled their efforts for the remainder of the first quarter.

And St. Anne’s flourished stole ahead by 0-04 to 0-02 after fifteen minutes, with captain Justin Moran and Cillian Byrne levelling nine minutes in, before a couple of Kyle Kennedy frees handed them the initiative.

But, after an exchange, St. Martin’s made amends for some wasteful shooting to tie on 0-05 apiece in the 24th minute as Rory O’Connor posted a third free on the trot, two of which he earned himself.

A further exchange was followed by St Martin’s eventually asserting by 0-10 to 0-06 at the break, with Jake Firman launching the maroon and whites back in front after 29 minutes while Darren Codd sandwiched a long-range Jack O’Connor free with his second and third scores.

The leaders extended to a double-scores advantage within three minutes of the resumption as Kyle Firman and Rory O’Connor (’65) struck.

But St. Anne’s were roused as