Experienced Oulart the Ballagh back in business again

Oulart the Ballagh 2-15 St Martin’s 0-13

Oulart the Ballagh won their sixth title in seven years with a comfortable eight-point victory over St Martin’s at Wexford Park.

Oulart pounced for two excellently executed first-half goals to ease into a six point interval lead. Rory Jacob gave an excellent display in a midfield role and, along with long-serving full-back Keith Rossiter and centre-back Shaun Murphy, he proved a pivotal figure.

After Dessie Mythen and Ciaran Lyng, free, exchanged opening points, the eventual winners struck the front with a seventh-minute Garrett Sinnott point, a lead they were never subsequently to lose.

Oulart led 0-4 to 0-1 when they struck for the opening goal after 17 minutes.

Peter Sutton pulled a high ball from the air before placing inside to the inrushing Nicky Kirwan who flashed a shot to the net.

St Martin’s showed some fighting qualities responding with Paudie Kelly and Joe O’Connor points, but a brilliant Sinnott 25th minute goal sent his side in with a 2-6 to 0-6 interval lead.

Despite a plucky third quarter effort there was to be no way back for St Martin’s.

OULART-THE-BALLAGH: C O'Leary; E Moore, K Rossiter, B Kehoe; K Sheridan, S Murphy, M Jacob; D Redmond (0-1), R Jacob (0-1); P Murphy, T Storey, D Mythen (0-3); G Sinnott (1-2), P Sutton (0-2), N Kirwan (1-5, 0-3 fs, 0-1, 65). Subs: T Dunne for Murphy (22); P Roche for M Jacob (36); M Og Storey (0-1) for Dunne (43); D Nolan for Sutton (58); K Nimmo for T Storey (59).

ST MARTIN'S: L White; W Devereux, D Hayes, C Firman; A Maddock, T Waters, P O'Connor; M Maloney, J O'Connor (0-2); J Firman, D Waters, H O'Connor (0-1); P Kelly (0-3 frees), C Lyng (0-5, 0-1 free), R O'Connor. Subs: S Murphy (0-2) for Maloney (ht); J Coleman for H O'connbor (42); S Stafford for J Firman (55).

Referee: P Kehoe (Rathgarogue/Cushinstown).