Castletown defence rock-solid

A compliment guaranteed to make any hurling club in Leinster walk tall was paid to Castletown after this tough and uncompromising Leinster club hurling semi-final at Nowlan Park yesterday.

"Forget about them saying that nobody can beat Birr," said St Martin's selector Robert Lambert. "Ye have the skills and ability, that we had no answer for today, to go on and win the title."

David Cuddy, one of five Cuddys in the Castletown side, was awarded the AIB man of the match award after producing a midfield performance worthy of his side's steely conviction, but he gave much of the credit to the team's outstanding defence.

"It was tough for them, but they have been playing class stuff all season," he said.

Although they had a barren, scoreless, spell between the fourth and 15th minutes of the second half, Castletown also made better use of their chances. The St Martin's scoring rate was not half as impressive, although their forwards were given a good supply of possession by the superb half-back line of Ken Furlong, Mark Murphy and Rory McCarthy. The Wexford champions could manage only two points from play, knocked over by midfielder Tomas Codd and corner forward Phil Murphy.

The most experienced player in the side, John O'Connor, struck two penalties, one to the net in the first half and the other over the bar in the second. He also knocked over three points from frees.

Codd and Tommy Radford tried relentlessly in midfield, but despite an industrious display up front by Ruari Quigley, St Martin's were denied the kind of scores that can lift a team.

There wasn't a weak link in the Castletown defence and a tactical move, which saw full back Paul Cuddy and centre back John Cuddy switch positions at the start of the game, paid off handsomely. John O'Sullivan also played a huge role at left corner back.

But Rory McCarthy, the only current Wexford intercounty player on the St Martin's team, was the busiest and most effective defender on the pitch. He repeatedly broke up Castletown attacks, and also broke forward himself. St Martin's did secure good possession out the field, especially in the first half, but eight wides against one for the Laois men during the first 30 minutes told its own story. St Martin's goalkeeper James Quirke also made a spectacular save from a Pat Phelan piledriver. A goal from close in by Fionan O'Sullivan established a six-point gap (1-4 to 0-1) in the 15th minute. Late call-up Ciaran Cuddy made the chance with a long delivery which forced Quirke off his line.

David Cuddy made it 1-5 to 0-1 a minute later, but O'Connor then made full use of his first penalty chance to bring the Wexford men back into it.

Castletown led 1-8 to 1-3 at halftime, but Barry Devereux got a chance to narrow the gap in the third quarter. However, he just failed to get a touch to Robert Lambert's centre.

Quigley put in a great run that led to O'Connor's second penalty, but this time the St Martin's man shot too high.

Castletown finished with the best move of the match, Paddy Dollard linking up with Padraig Cuddy to provide the point chance for Fionan O'Sullivan, who made no mistake. There seemed no way back for St Martin's, and so it proved.

CASTLETOWN: J Lyons; M Phelan, P Cuddy (0-2, one free), T Phelan; R Delaney, J Cuddy, J O'Sullivan; D Cuddy (0-4), C Cuddy (0-1); E Kir- wan (0-1), Padraig Cuddy, G Cuddy (0-1); F O'Sullivan (1-2), P Dollard (0-1), P Phelan (0-2). Sub: J Palmer for G Cuddy (48 mins).

ST MARTIN'S: J Quirke; D Murphy (0-2 frees), P Freyne, D Sane; K Furlong, M Murphy, R McCarthy; T Codd (0-1), T Radford; B Lambert (0-1, free), R Quigley, B Devereux; R Lambert, J O'Connor (1-4, two pens and three frees), P Murphy (0-1). Sub: J McDonald for Devereux (44 mins). Referee: P Dunphy (Kilkenny).