Rapparees 3-13  Faythe Harriers 3-11

What a period of fulfilment we have been experiencing at underage lately at Bellefield. The fruits of our labours have indeed ended in success. Basking in our Juvenile Football Final victory over the Shelmaliers in what has been heralded as two of the best games of football seen in the County at any level in recent times we were hoping against hope that our Minor hurlers would be able to do us proud on County Final day in Wexford Park.

Not having tasted success at this level for over 20 years we hardly dared to believe that our dream could finally become a reality. Confident that we had players with sufficient talent and skill and positive that Adrian Fenlon and his backroom team had left no stone unturned in their preparation we tentatively felt that we were in with a good chance to take the coveted title but we knew it would all come down to what would happen on the day and we were certain that the Faythe Harriers were worthy opponents with the skill and the talent to match us. We would have a battle on our hands – would we have the stamina for it? Would our young Juveniles hold their nerve and would our big men have the steel for the fray. 

 Conditions in the Park weren’t ideal – a strong wind was going to make things difficult for us. The Harriers were a bigger, more physical outfit with more of their players up to the age. As the ball was thrown in to begin I looked across at Juvenile Kevin Foley our centre forward and noticed that the centre back was head and shoulders above him and the old Irish Proverb came to mind - `An te nach bhfuil laider ni folair do beith glic` - `The person who isn’t big has to be clever`. We would need to call on all our reserves to win this one.

The first 20 minutes of the game was nip and tuck, the Harriers looking the stronger side but the Rapps were in contention and yapping at their heels. The final 10 minutes of the half saw the Harriers broaden their shoulders and stretch into the lead at the whistle 2.6 to 1.3. The Rapps were turning around to play with the wind in the second period and hopes were high again among the Enniscorthy faithful but there was that niggling doubt that it just mightn’t be our day. 

 The Harriers began the half better and put the first score on the board, then began their purple period and with 10 minutes to go they were 8 points in front and cruising.

On the benches and in the stand we had almost resigned ourselves to another day in second place, nothing short of a miracle would change it now.

And then like a bolt from the blue our miracle happened!

A flash of brilliance from corner back turned forward Timmy Dwyer and the ball hits the back of the net at the 51st minute. Rhys Clarke replies with a fine point for the Harriers leaving the Rapps still trailing by 5. Centre back Brendan Kearney scores an excellent long range free to reduce it to 4, when lightening attacker Kevin Foley collects from wing forward Seanie O`Gorman, rounds his man and brilliantly strikes to the back of the net on his left side – Rapps trail by a point. Foley levels the match on the 60th minute with a deadly accurate free under pressure. 

The tension in Wexford Park is palpable. It seemed like the crowd had been holding their collective breath for the last 10 minutes. Would we be happy with the draw – of course we would – who wouldn’t want to see this outstanding contest again everyone in the Park would have been happy to do it again – it had all the elements and now it was going to have the most fantastic finish as the dazzling Darragh Pepper slips another over the bar making it look easy in injury time. The ball is back down the field,the Harriers are reeling but are not going down without a fight. We are saved twice by some marvellous goalkeeping from our brave guardian of the net Aaron Sinnott and our hard fighting gladiator style defence lead by warrior fullback Liam Ryan. We are ahead by the narrowest of margins we get another free and once again the cool centre back Brendan Kearney sends the long range strike over the bar and the epic ends – 3.13 to 3.11. Scorers: Kevin Foley 1.5, Darragh Pepper & Brendan Kearney 3 pts each, Diarmuid Cullen & Timmy Dwyer 1 goal each, Kevin Ryan 2 pts.

It was stunning, it was thrilling, it was dramatic, it was captivating, it was enthralling but more than anything else it was an excellent game of hurling that had it all. It was inspiring to see two teams from two of the towns in Wexford dish up such a wonderful contest and it gave heart to those who witnessed it that all is not lost in Wexford. If we have players like these who lined out and fought for both sides might I say then  - we have hope.

Can I just say thank you especially to my own team and mentors for bringing much needed success and pride to our Club and to the town of Enniscorthy. And can I say that the entire team played their part in making club history – it was a wonderful, determined team effort and I am so proud of you all from 1 to 25.

Can I also say thank you to both teams for the marvellous entertainment and for the hopes and the dreams that you have awakened and rekindled.

You have given us the belief that we have a future in Wexford!

Maria Nolan