WFC Wexford Football Championship Semi Finals - Wexford GAA

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WFC Senior Football Championship SEMI-FINAL
SEMI-FINAL DRAMA IN STORE
By Brian Carty
Castletown today embark on their fourth successive
WFC senior football semi-final under the capable
management of Cork native Timmy Walsh. While
their 2010 exploits are well documented and indeed
are still referred to in the locality, they will be doubly
keen to reach their third final in a row this evening,
giving them as it will a massive shot at redemption,
having let their crown slip when going under to
Horeswood in last year’s decider. They meet a team
who many consider to be the surprise package of
this year’s campaign, 2011 Intermediate football
champions St Martins.
When the side’s last met in the fourth round of
Group A back in July, the Piercestown men notched
a fully merited 1-13 to 2-7 victory. Of course, both
teams were already assured of a place in the last
eight at that stage, and as such that match will bear
By Alan Aherne, Sarsfields Club P.R.O.
Sarsfields and St. Anne's, those keen Wexford
District rivals, will meet for the eleventh time in the
Senior football championship today. So far the
Rathangan men have the edge with five wins,
compared to three for the town team while two
games were drawn.
However, St. Anne's were amalgamated with their
St. Patrick's (Kilmore) neighbours for their first two
victories in 1969 and 1970, a partnership which
ceased after the 1975 campaign. Since then the
sides have been deadlocked in their eight contests,
and the margins have been tight more often than
not.
The only exceptions were in 1992, when the Sars
had 14 points to spare, and in 2005 when the Anne's
ran riot with a record 18-point victory which was the
biggest-ever margin in this fascinating rivalry.
no resemblance to how today’s action will pan
out. Nonetheless, it should make for interesting
viewing. St Martin’s have been buoyed by the
dominance of Daithi and Philly Waters in
midfield, Tipp native Stephen Murphy has been
influential at centre back, while the Lyng
brothers Ciaran and Diarmuid offer guile and
experience up front. Castletown too have their
key men, with a wealth of scoring potential
spread amongst their six forwards, while Colm
Morris and Danny Gardiner are shining beacons
in their rearguard.
It should be a real ding-dong battle in Wexford
Park this evening, and with the Wexford district
derby of Sarsfields and St Anne’s opening
proceedings, an intriguing double header is on
offer. So sit back and enjoy the drama.
Apart from the two draws, Sarsfields annexed two of
their three wins by one and two points respectively.
And four of St. Anne's successes were by one, two,
three and four points into the bargain! If history is to
repeated, it suggests that another close encounter
is in store today.
For the record, the details of those ten previous meetings are:
7/9/69 St. Anne's/St. Patrick's 0-10 Sarsfields 0-07
18/7/70 St. Anne's/St. Patrick's 1-05 Sarsfields 0-04
21/4/91 Sarsfields 2-13 St. Anne's 1-02
3/5/92 Sarsfields 1-10 St. Anne's 2-06
8/5/93 Sarsfields 1-09 St. Anne's 0-12
29/8/93 Sarsfields 3-06 St. Anne's 0-13
22/10/94 St. Anne's 1-09 Sarsfields 1-09
5/11/94 St. Anne's 1-06 Sarsfields 1-05
29/7/03 St. Anne's 0-09 Sarsfields 0-07
17/9/05 St. Anne's 2-14 Sarsfields 0-02