Another happy end for Storey

Wexford Hurling final/Oulart-the-Ballagh 1-17 Rathnure 1-10: Rathnure may have been on the trail of a three-in-a-row, but it was Oulart-the-Ballagh who served up the quality hurling to end a seven-year barren spell by clinching the Wexford title at Wexford Park yesterday

Rathnure were the more experienced outfit going into this decider, but it was the youthful Oulart-the-Ballagh - marshalled by two stars of the past in Liam Dunne and Martin Storey - who shone through as they deservedly clinched their fourth crown.

Oulart-the-Ballagh led by three points to one after just eight minutes, with Michael Jacob on target from two frees, while Storey chipped in with an excellent point. Paul Codd converted Rathnure's point from a free in between.

It had been 30 years since the two sides met in a final and Robbie Codd then sparked the game to life with a 10-minute goal, leaving Rathnure leading 1-1 to 0-3.

Oulart-the-Ballagh took over from then, however, as Paul Finn rifled home a 15th-minute goal, and four successive points from Michael Jacob, Des Mythen, Jacob again and Storey left them leading 1-7 to 1-2 two minutes before the break.

Two Paul Codd points from placed balls left just three separating the sides - 1-7 to 1-4 - at the interval, but it must have been worrying for the defending champions that they had only managed a single goal from play during that opening 30 minutes.

Oulart-the-Ballagh were winning the tactical battles, for Keith Rossiter and Paul Roche were dominant in the full-back line, with Dunne marshalling the defence as one would only expect with a flawless centre-back display, while Darren Stamp was controlling the midfield.

With Paul Codd's midfield input restricted to points from placed balls, and the attack struggling for scores, it was always going to be an uphill struggle for Rathnure, whose defence - despite the best efforts of Anthony O'Connell and the outstanding Michael O'Leary - eventually began to concede the space which left yawning gaps for the eventual winners' attack.

It was only Paul Codd-pointed frees which kept Rathnure in contention, while at the opposite end, Mythen, Finn and Michael Jacob, managed to keep Oulart in front.

But they still must have been worried when only leading 1-12 to 1-9 with six minutes remaining.

Mythen began their inspirational finish with a point, which was followed by further points Michael Jacob, Stephen Doyle, Finn and Rory Jacob, while Rathnure, who must have realised their reign was at an end, could only manage a solitary reply from Nigel Higgins.

The little breaks went Oulart-the-Ballagh's way throughout the second half as the game drifted away from Rathnure, and it was Dunne who deservedly lifted the trophy, after producing yet another inspirational defensive display.

OULART-THE-BALLAGH: P Dempsey; J Roche, K Rossiter, P Roche; A Kavanagh, L Dunne, P Redmond; A O'Leary, D Stamp; D Mythen (0-3), M Storey (0-2), S Doyle (0-1); R Jacob (0-2), P Finn (1-3), M Jacob (0-6, frees).

RATHNURE: J Morrissey; A O'Connell, S Somers, D Guiney; R Freeman, M O'Leary, R Guiney; P Codd (0-8, seven frees, '65); J O'Connor, T Hogan, M Byrne, N Higgins (0-2), S O'Neill, R Codd (1-0), B O'Leary. Subs: F Murphy for Byrne; S Murphy for R Guiney.

Referee: S O'Shea (Blackwater).