Rapparees 5-12, Ferns St. Aidan's 1-0: A powerful Rapparees side retained their Slaney Under-14 hurling title in style with a comprehensive victory over Ferns St. Aidan's at Piercestown on Saturday last.

Having already disposed of the home side, St. Martin's, by nine points in the semi-final, the young men from Enniscorthy were in even more sparkling form throughout the decider.

Ferns, who edged past Adamstown by two points in the other clash, got off to a dreadful start. With just two minutes on the clock, deadly centreforward Kevin Foley fired a shot past Darren Kehoe before adding a point just moments later from long range.

The small but elusive duo of Ryan Mahon and Kian Carty soon followed suit by notching points, giving Rapparees a quick two-goal advantage.

Playing against the breeze quickly took its toll on a Ferns side that had already competed in a soccer match before their semi-final. Kehoe had to be at his best to deny Craig Kinsella before Foley launched over his second long-range point in the twelfth minute.

The last five minutes of the half proved particularly difficult; James Walsh tapped home a long Darragh Pepper pass for the victors' second goal before three quick points by Carty, Mahon and again James Walsh gave their side a 2-7 to nil halftime lead.

Rapparees began the second period with the same tempo as they played with in the first, and Carty's long-range goal two minutes in put the match out of reach.

There was finally cause for celebration for Ferns just a minute later, as Eric Browne's sideways pass picked out Andy Cash, and the strong forward produced the perfect finish past Aaron Sinnott for their only score.

The Enniscorthy town side were soon back on the offensive, with Carty scoring a further brace of points and Foley picking up his third. Mahon grabbed his goal, his side's fourth, in between the flurry of points as the Rapparees refused to take their foot off the pedal.

Goalkeeper Sinnott was dismissed with seven minutes remaining following an altercation in the goalmouth, but even with 14 players they continued to pour forward at will. The masterly Foley scored one final point before the industrious Pepper notched a late 1-1 to complete an outstanding title-winning performance from his side.

© Enniscorthy Guardian