Starlights pile on agony
GLYNN-BARNTOWN suffered greatly at the hands of Starlights-Rapparees for the second week running as the latter survived the first-half dismissal of defender Cathal Murphy to secure their Senior football status for another year at balmy Oylegate on Saturday last.
Having had their hurling championship ambitions also quashed by the Rapps, unfortunately for Glynn-Barntown they now face a tough task to avoid the drop just twelve months after returning to the top flight. However, they really only have themselves to blame, having shot twice as many wides (twelve) than their more economic rivals, while they also failed to take advantage of having an extra man for the entire second-half.
With the loser of this 'B' quarter-final having only a one in four chance of avoiding relegation, the high level of intensity was evident from an early stage. After both teams had traded an early point each, Brendan Doyle missed a great chance of a Glynn-Barntown goal when he was brilliantly denied by Starlights stopper Maurice Donohoe.
The Enniscorthy town side were then given a huge boost when the ever-dangerous John Hudson was brought down for a penalty in the 21st minute and younger brother Willie easily converted. Hudson senior then added a brace of well-taken points and Starlights looked to be heading into half-time in a favourable position.
However, after Mark Fanning had pointed a free and Starlights' Cathal Murphy was shown a second yellow card, Glynn-Barntown struck 1-1 in stoppage time. Maurice Donohoe must have thought Fanning's 40metre free was going over the bar, but he misjudged the flight of the ball and it dipped into the top corner of his net. Wingback Barry Doyle then got forward for a point as the sides retired on level terms (14 each).
The exchanges remained tight for the third quarter as Tommy 'Tucker' Foley and Eamonn Furlong edged Starlights two points ahead, only for Willie Carley and fullback Robert Tierney to restore parity with ten minutes remaining.
Glynn-Barntown almost went ahead, but substitute Philip Walsh was unfortunate to see his point attempt rebound off the upright. In a game of such tight margins this proved crucial, as Starlights grabbed a decisive goal in the 53rd minute.
Mark Quigley floated the ball into the danger area where Eamonn Furlong was lurking, and he flicked to the net to the despair of Glynn-Barntown supporters. Shortly after Quigley curled over the insurance point as 14-man Starlights breathed a huge sigh of relief, safe in the knowledge that their long association with Senior football in Wexford will continue for at least another year.
- LIAM DORAN
