South Leinster Senior ‘C’ Hurling Championship

Wexford CBS............4-14
New Ross VC............2-12

A RETURN OF 2-7 from Joe Coleman and an effective man marking job from Joe Redmond ensured that Wexford CBS returned home from O’Kennedy Park with victory after a tight and tough encounter with New Ross VC in the opening round of the South Leinster Senior ‘C’ Hurling championship played last Tuesday.
The home side enjoyed the strong wind in the first half and made the early running to lead by 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes. CBS eventually settled and Coleman began to exert his influence as he tagged on three points and received support from John Bridges and Gary Murphy who also pointed.
The Ross side brought the game back to level terms at 0-5 each but after 16 minutes Joe Coleman bundled the ball in over the line despite some rigid defending. CBS added points from Mark Hayes and Eoin Roche placed John Bridges for another but the Wexford school couldn’t shake off a determined New Ross side that had an excellent centre-forward from Kilkenny who was making a nuisance of himself both from play and from frees. Joe Redmond was switched from the forwards to curtail the danger and did a superb job.
Minutes before the break, Joe Coleman registered his second goal to give the CBS a 2-9 to 0-10 interval lead.
It became 3-9 to 0-10 seconds into the new half when a fine passing move involving Stephen Kearney, John Bridges, Joe Coleman and Sean Stafford led to Joe McBride finishing to the net.
The home side stuck at it and maybe went for goal too early where they found Rob Donnelly in no mood to let in goals as he made several saves.
The pressure eventually told and New Ross VC were awarded a penalty which was goaled. However at the other end a fine Joe Coleman catch and a clever pass resulted in John Forde having space to pull the ball to the net.
Another goal arrived a few minutes later – this time for the home side which left the score at 4-10 to 2-12 entering the final ten minutes. It was the CBS forwards who closed out the game with the last four points coming from Jason Kearns, Stephen Kearney and a brace from Joe Coleman.  
It was a solid performance from the Wexford lads but there were plenty of errors which need to be ironed out if they are to be successful. Best on the day were Richie Cleary, James Somers, Jason Kearns, Joe Redmond and Joe Coleman. Next up for CBS is a trip to Ramsgrange and a victory would result in a place in the South Leinster semi-final.
Wexford CBS: Brad Cohen (St. Martin’s); Richie Cleary (Clonard), James Somers (Faythe Harriers), Liam Barry (Faythe Harriers); Jason Kearns (Volunteers 0-1), Sean Stafford (St. Martin’s), Gary Murphy (Faythe Harriers, 0-1); John Bridges (Faythe Harriers, 0-2), Jamie McDonnell (Faythe Harriers); Joe Redmond (Shelmaliers), Eoin Roche (Faythe Harriers 0-1), Mark Hayes (St. Martin’s, 0-1); Joe McBride (Volunteers 1-0), Joe Coleman (2-7, 3 f, 1 ’65), John Forde (Shelmaliers 1-0).
Subs: Nicky Lawlor (Faythe Harriers) for Gary Murphy, Stephen Kearney (Faythe Harriers, 0-1) for Mark Hayes, Rob Donnelly (Buffers Alley) for Cohen all half-time.
Ref: John Bennett.