Shelmaliers 1-14 Taghmon-Camross 2-8

Shelmaliers were grateful for the final-whistle as 2016 intermediate champions Taghmon-Camross refused absolutely to go away in Saturday afternoon’s intriguing but uninspiring second-round Tom Doyle Supplies county senior football championship Group B clash at Innovate Wexford Park.

Two first-half Luke Sinnott goals had Taghmon within 1-7 to 2-2 at half-time, and the New Ross district side displayed typical tenacity to get back level on 2-7 to 1-10 midway through the second-half. But the opposition then claimed four of the last five points to complete two wins from two entering the break for inter-county activity.

Taghmon, meanwhile, are left without any points despite their enterprise in the games against Glynn-Barntown and last Saturday’s with Shelmaliers, which was contested amid dry but wintry conditions at the main county-grounds.

While Shelmaliers got off to a powerful 1-3 to no-score start inside nine minutes with wind advantage, Taghmon weren’t being outplayed. But Taghmon were shooting themselves in the foot with some poor finishing.

Brian Malone got Shelmaliers off to a dream start on five minutes when netting before he and captain Eoin Doyle (2) tagged on points (1-3 to 0-0).

But Taghmon reaped greater profit for the remainder of the opening-half as two goals from Luke Sinnott sandwiched points from Ian Carty (a ’45) and Seamie McLoughlin to have them within a point at the break. The first goal arrived on nine minutes when a sweetly floated delivery from Seamie McLoughlin was punched to the town-end net by Sinnott, who again applied a fisted finish after good work between Darren Carty and Mick O’Gorman to net again on 29 minutes and have Taghmon trailing by just 2-2 to 1-7 at half-time.

After a triple exchange of points on the restart, Taghmon hopes rose as they seemed to have the momentum behind them when Ian Carty and Seamie McLoughlin each pointed frees to tie things up at 2-7 to 1-10 on 44 minutes.

St. Anne’s were more efficient thereafter though as they struck back with four unanswered points – Jody Donohoe, Craig McCabe (2 frees) and Brian Malone – before never-say-die Taghmon-Camross were offered the consolation of an injury-time point from Darren Carty after yet another good day’s labour, but one again without any reward.

Shelmaliers – Graham Lawlor-Ryan; Andre O’Brien, James Cash, Dan Campbell; Simon Donohoe, Ciarán O’Shaughnessy, Aidan Cash; Brian Malone (1-3), Eoghan Nolan (0-1); Jody Donohoe (0-2), Eoin Doyle (capt., 0-3), Glen Malone (0-1); Conor Hearne, Brian Murphy (0-1), Craig McCabe (0-3, 2 frees).

Sub: Liam Rockett for Hearne (47).

Taghmon-Camross – Jack Dunne; David O’Keeffe, Alan Nolan (capt.), Shane Doyle; Darren Hayden, Mark O’Gorman, Darren Carty (0-1); Barry O’Gorman, Chris Cullen; Stephen O’Gorman (0-1), Anthony Breen, Mick O’Gorman; Seamie McLoughlin (0-3, 2 frees), Luke Sinnott (2-0), Ian Carty (0-3, 1 ’45, 1 free).

Subs: Stephen Stafford for Hayden (55); Stephen O’Keeffe for Mick O’Gorman (59); Derek O’Hanlon for B O’Gorman (59).

Referee – Billy Dodd (Sarsfields).