July 1: Ferns St. Aidans 0-20, Shelmaliers 0-18
CHAMPIONS ARE always happy when a win comes after an up and down display, and it often goes with the territory.
The self-belief that automatically arrives after a big outright success in the previous campaign has seen several teams overcome tricky situations in the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship over the years, and Ferns St. Aidans can now be added to that list.
They looked to be well placed for a win in the first defence of their crown in Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday, leading their Group B clash with 2020 winners Shelmaliers at half-time by 0-14 to 0-7.
And although they were preparing to contend with a strong wind, their rivals had been reduced to 14 men after captain Joe Kelly collected a second yellow card in the 30th minute.
The Shels - under new manager Colin Keeling - had to resume with a two-man inside line of Seán Keane-Carroll and Paul Hearne and hope for the best.
And while ultimately defeat was their lot, such a strong comeback on their part must be commended in the circumstances as they really made Ferns St. Aidans earn the first set of points on offer.
Aaron Murphy, introduced at left half-back at the break, typified the losers' dynamic approach in the face of adversity, while Simon Donohoe seemed to be given the freedom to venture freely into the opposite half and Ferns struggled to cope with his movement.
When the latter's second point was followed by a successful Paul Hearne free - with a goal-bound Chris Turner shot blocked at the other end in between - the gap was down to one (0-17 to 0-16) and momentum was with the Shels.
Ferns needed cool heads to get the job done, with Gavin Bailey - on the comeback trail after surgery - popping up with two key interventions.
His 53rd-minute point, from an Ian Byrne handpass, was followed by a crucial free he earned that was slotted over by the same player to make it 0-19 to 0-16.
Ross Banville was summoned up from centre-back to take a free from inside the 'D' that he was content to put over, but Ian Byrne was fouled from the puck-out and some precious seconds were wasted before he restored that three-point gap.
Ferns hit two wides as they struggled to close the game out, and there was an expectation that Banville would lob the ball into the danger zone after Keane-Carroll was taken down 40 metres out as we entered the fourth additional time.
However, he hit it high and over the bar before referee Brendan Martin blew for full-time. It was a big night for the man in the middle as he was handling his first game at this level in all of 14 years - with Marshalstown-Castledockrell's relegation final win over Duffry Rovers in 2009 being his last engagement.
And with a lot of petty fouling from both sides and plenty of cards dished out, there was no lasting flow to a game featuring 38 frees, 24 for the winners.
In the circumstances, it was no surprise that 26 of the 38 points scored arrived from placed balls, and in truth it wasn't a contest that will be fondly remembered.
The holders fielded 13 of last year's starting county final team, with injured captain Paul Morris and Ciarán Roberts replaced by Benny Jordan and Conor Scallan respectively.
And they stuck largely to their tried and trusted troops, with no newcomers introduced to this level whereas the Shels called on four debutants in Shane Kelly, Conor Roche, Kyle Roche and substitute Aaron Kinsella.
Ferns were flying from the off, with two Byrne frees book-ending points from play by Jonny Dwyer, Tommy Dwyer and Diarmuid Doyle as they surged into a 0-5 to nil lead after eight minutes.
It took until the 13th minute for the Shels to open their account, after an Adam Howlin puck-out cleared a mass of bodies on the right and Conor Hearne ran in behind to split the posts.
Ferns corner-back Patrick Breen belted one over from distance, with linesman Kevin Kehoe intervening after the shot was initially waved wide, while Corey Byrne-Dunbar also picked off a brace of points from play.
And with Ian Byrne converting eight frees in total, the Shels struggled to stay in touch as James Cash was the only player to join Conor Hearne with a point from play, in additional time.
Otherwise it was left to Joe Kelly (four) and Paul Hearne to register from frees, with the latter taking over the duties after the former was dismissed.
The Shels looked to be in trouble, but the eventual outcome might have been different if the otherwise excellent new arrival Aaron Murphy hadn't seen his shot from a Paul Hearne crossfield pass saved by James Lawlor in the 35th minute.
The first real signs of life appeared between the 42nd and 46th minutes, when four successive points from Simon Donohoe, Paul Hearne (free), Conor Hearne and Ross Banville (free) left two between them (16-14).
The Shels had all the momentum and should have scored again when Glen Malone got the ball in plenty of space, but his lack of hurling in recent months due to county football commitments resulted in a correct over-carrying call against him and a relieving point for Ian Byrne.
Even after that, Ferns found themselves hanging on by just one point with ten minutes left, but manager Pat Bennett should be happy that they stood up to such a huge test of character.
That aspect of their game is not in question, but the hurling will need to be sharpened up considerably before they face Oulart-The Ballagh in round two.
On the basis of what we saw in the main county ground on Saturday, Shelmaliers will be favoured to beat Rathnure, but there has to be some kick in the latter after such a flat performance against the Rapps so there's no guarantees.

Ferns St. Aidans: James Lawlor; Patrick Breen (0-1), Declan Byrne, Niall Murphy; Conor Scallan, Eoin Murphy, James Tonks; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Rory Scallan; Jonny Dwyer (0-1), Ian Byrne (0-13 frees), Benny Jordan; Diarmuid Doyle (0-1), Corey Byrne-Dunbar (0-2), Chris Turner. Subs. - Ciarán Roberts for Tonks (38), Gavin Bailey (0-1) for J. Dwyer (47), John Breen for Turner (53), Turner for N. Murphy, temp. (57).
Shelmaliers: Adam Howlin; Shane Kelly, Brian Malone, Ciarán O'Shaughnessy; Simon Donohoe (0-2), Ross Banville (0-4 frees), Graham Staples; Conor Hearne (0-2), Conor Roche; Glen Malone, Joe Kelly (capt., 0-4 frees), Kyle Roche; Paul Hearne (0-5 frees), James Cash (0-1), Seán Keane-Carroll. Subs. - Luke Roche for C. Roche (HT), Aaron Murphy for Staples (HT), Eoghan Nolan for Cash (38), Aaron Kinsella for K. Roche (55).
Referee: Brendan Martin (Ballyhogue).
 
July 8: Ferns St. Aidans 2-18, Oulart-The Ballagh 0-18
IT WAS a welcome case of lucky 13 for Ferns St. Aidans in Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday, as the titleholders made history by defeating Oulart-The Ballagh in the Senior hurling championship for the very first time.
All twelve previous attempts between 1970 and 2018 had ended in failure, and it was a major talking point ahead of this Pettitt’s-sponsored Group B encounter.
And even though Ferns were hotly fancied this time around in the clash between last year’s Senior and Intermediate champions, they still had to get the job done on the field against typically doughty opponents.
Those twelve losses had included the 2013 final, two semi-finals, and the 2012 quarter-final that ended level at the end of 60 minutes before Oulart-The Ballagh coasted clear in extra-time.
It was a true reflection of the changing landscape that they were the rank outsiders here, but they certainly made Ferns earn that first win as it was only sealed by a Chris Turner goal deep into additional time.
A seventh Billy Dunne pointed free midway through the four extra minutes announced had reduced the gap to 1-18 to 0-18, meaning that possession from James Lawlor’s puck-out was absolutely vital.
And although Rory Scallan was operating on just one leg and had to be replaced immediately afterwards, it was his astute handpass that left substitute Turner with the space to bear down on Darragh Hayes and drill home the second Ferns goal that sealed the deal.
The reigning champions have already ticked a couple of important boxes, grinding out a first round win over Shelmaliers without playing particularly well before creating this significant piece of history.
And while both sides can afford to lose without it having a negative impact on their respective quarter-final quests, there still should be a real buzz around Monamolin on Friday for the clash of the last two winners when they face Rapparees.
Oulart-The Ballagh will seek a first success against Shelmaliers in Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday, to go with the point they gained against Crossabeg-Ballymurn, but already their last round clash to come with Rathnure looks like being every bit as important as all previous county final meetings between the pair, albeit for potential reasons of survival this time around.
It was a contrasting tale of two captains and former county colleagues, because while Ferns welcomed Paul Morris back, Oulart-The Ballagh were severely hampered by the absence of Shaun Murphy through injury.
The latter’s manager, Colin Sunderland, had to dash back from his duties with the Wexford camogie team in Liatroim, Co. Down, arriving roughly three minutes into the second-half to take over the bainisteoir’s bib from selector Martin ‘Sport’ Dempsey.
As an aside, I found it odd that more couldn’t have been done to accommodate Sunderland who, after all, was performing an important task for his county. With a 48-hour window to play games between Friday night and Sunday night, surely some compromise could have been found.
Sunderland returned to find his side trailing by 1-11 to 0-8, with Billy Dunne converting a free after they had trailed by double scores at the interval.
Ferns set out their stall early and, considering they trailed by 1-5 to nil after a mere nine minutes, Oulart-The Ballagh should take some solace from the manner of their recovery.
The holders attacked the town end with relish from the off, eager to stave off any chances of an upset as early and as clinically as possible.
A first point of the campaign for Morris was sandwiched between two Ian Byrne frees, although he didn’t score again and instead carried out a lot of his best work in a deep-lying link role.
Corey Byrne-Dunbar added a fourth point before his pass set up Ian Byrne for a pulled goal in the sixth minute, after Morris made the earlier incision.
Byrne widened the gap to eight after a foul on Diarmuid Doyle before Peter Sutton finally stemmed the flow in the tenth minute, catching an Eoin Moore delivery and getting Oulart-The Ballagh up and running (1-5 to 0-1).
And they gradually eased themselves back into contention, with the remaining twelve points amassed in the first-half evenly divided.
Sutton added a second, free-taker Billy Dunne hit a brace, and wing-back Jim Finn and Conor O’Leary (two) also contributed to the Oulart-The Ballagh haul.
Ian Byrne had 1-6 to his name, with the points all from frees, by half-time, and the backs also contributed as Patrick Breen scored for the second game running while Eoin Murphy thundered forward from centre-half for a fine solo effort.
However, the undoubted pick of the bunch was the last point that made it 1-11 to 0-7 at the break, as Diarmuid Doyle flicked the ball over an opponent’s head, gathered it again on the far side, and split the posts directly off the hurl for a dream score.
Billy Dunne resumed at centre-forward and was followed by direct marker Patrick Breen, with the first five points all arriving from frees – three for Dunne and two for Ian Byrne.
The second-half opener from play – courtesy of Murtha Doyle from a Garrett Sinnott pass in the 41st minute – left Oulart-The Ballagh behind by 1-13 to 0-11, but Gavin Bailey and Corey Byrne-Dunbar responded with Ferns points.
The other Billy Dunne – The Ballagh version, who had replaced the injured Niall Redmond in the first-half – secured a first point at this level, but there was a let-off for his side when Chris Turner sent wide with a goal on his mind.
A green flag at that stage would have wrapped it up, but Ferns remained relatively comfortable even though Lorcan Nimmo and new arrival Rory Jacob reduced arrears to 1-17 to 0-15 with ten minutes left.
An Ian Byrne point left six between them, only for Ferns to endure more than 13 minutes without scoring before that decisive goal from Turner.
Nimmo, Garrett Sinnott and Billy Dunne (free) had pulled back points in between, although the main reason just one score divided them entering additional time was the marvellous diving save to his left by Darragh Hayes that kept out a Diarmuid Doyle drive in the 55th minute.

Ferns St. Aidans: James Lawlor; Patrick Breen (0-1), Niall Murphy, Declan Byrne; James Tonks, Eoin Murphy (0-1), Conor Scallan; Gavin Bailey (0-1), Rory Scallan; Benny Jordan, Paul Morris (capt., 0-1), Jonny Dwyer; Diarmuid Doyle (0-2), Ian Byrne (1-10, 0-9 frees), Corey Byrne-Dunbar (0-2). Subs. – Ciarán Roberts for D. Byrne (HT), Chris Turner (1-0) for Jordan (35), John Breen for Dwyer (46), Jordan for Bailey (50), Dwyer for R. Scallan, inj. (60+4).
Oulart-The Ballagh: Darragh Hayes; Anthony Roche (capt.), Barry Kehoe, Ian Storey; Jim Finn (0-1), Eoin Moore, Niall Redmond; Tomás Dunne, Lorcan Nimmo (0-2); Aaron Byrne, Murtha Doyle (0-1), Peter Murphy; Conor O’Leary (0-2), Peter Sutton (0-2), Billy Dunne (Oulart, 0-7 frees). Subs. – Billy Dunne (The Ballagh, 0-1) for Redmond, inj. (24), Garrett Sinnott (0-1) for Byrne (28), Rory Jacob (0-1) for Doyle (48), Adam McRedmond for Sutton (58).
Referee: Jimmy Heavey (Geraldine O’Hanrahans).
​
FOOTNOTE: Petty, mean-spirited, small-minded and totally unnecessary – that’s my opinion on the yellow cards shown to rival managers Pat Bennett and Colin Sunderland for briefly entering the field of play in separate second-half incidents. Some of our officials are sadly obsessed with making themselves the centre of attention.
 
July 14: Ferns St. Aidans 1-15, Rapparees 0-17
FERNS ST. Aidans were celebrating the second coming of Diarmuid Doyle in Monamolin on Friday, as his last-gasp point secured a narrow win over keen rivals Rapparees after an absorbing second-half in this Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group B contest.
The former Marshalstown-Castledockrell player was one of two attackers re-introduced to the fray along with goalscorer Chris Turner, and he was the ideal man to gather possession on the left flank after Benny Jordan had cleared a dangerous delivery from Ryan Mahon.
Doyle has pace to burn, and he took off on a solo before splitting the posts as the five additional minutes concluded, with referee James Owens bringing a halt to proceedings on the restart.
And while the need to bring on Doyle and Turner again was largely down to a thinned panel caused by the absence of Corey Byrne-Dunbar, Tommy Dwyer and Declan Byrne, and with Rory Scallan restricted to a late cameo, it worked out perfectly for the titleholders.
The atmosphere generated at this well-appointed venue probably masked the fact that the hurling wasn't of a particularly memorable standard, but it certainly did feel like championship fare which is a lot more than can be said for several games thus far.
That's three wins on the trot now for Ferns from this head-to-head with Rapparees in the space of twelve months. They always had a compelling rivalry over the years because of their geographical closeness, but it has been rendered all the more interesting because now - unlike in previous times - both are strong championship contenders.
The losers spread their free-taking and four men registered from placed balls - best attacker Oisín Pepper, sweeper Ryan Mahon, his starting midfield partner Kevin Foley, and netminder Anthony Larkin, who has scored in all three games to date.
However, one obvious concern is that only two forwards registered from play for the second game running.
Alan Tobin and Pepper did the damage with three points apiece against Crossabeg-Ballymurn, and this time another Pepper trio (with his brother, Darragh, absent through suspension) was supplemented by one from Dylan McVeigh.
They persisted with their short passing game even when it broke down repeatedly, but they remained in contention to the bitter end and will be a hard team to beat in the weeks to come.
The presence of captain Alan Tobin and Nick Doyle on the inside attacking line at the start gave them a big edge in physique that wasn't availed of fully, with the man-marking duties handed to Patrick Breen and Ciarán 'Bertie' Roberts respectively.
Kevin Foley picked off the first point after a scooped pass from county colleague Liam Ryan, but the game's vital only goal followed from Ferns in the seventh minute.
John Breen played the ball to Chris Turner who got past the challenge of Ben Edwards as a result of pure dogged determination before batting to Anthony Larkin's net at the main road end.
It was 1-3 to 0-3 by the end of the first quarter, with Jonny Dwyer, Benny Jordan and Paul Morris adding points while Oisín Pepper responded from a free and play.
Free-taker Ian Byrne widened the gap to four before a Jordan interception teed up Diarmuid Doyle for a shot on goal, but it was dealt with capably by a composed Larkin.
Ferns had to settle for another converted Byrne free that made it 1-5 to 0-3, but Rapparees stepped it up considerably approaching half-time and struck seven of the last ten points to trail by the minimum at the break (1-8 to 0-10).
Dylan McVeigh, Ryan Mahon and Oisín Pepper chipped in from play, with frees sent over by the latter, Larkin and Kevin Foley (two).
And while Ciarán Roberts, Ian Byrne (free) and John Breen replied to ensure Ferns stayed ahead at all times, it remained too tight a contest to call as the action resumed.
A second successful Ryan Mahon free brought Rapparees level in the 39th minute (0-13 to 1-10), before a brace of Oisín Pepper placed balls left them well placed for a first win in this rivalry since the 2021 quarter-final.
However, Ferns came up with two important scores at the start of the last quarter, with Ian Byrne adding to a converted free with a super effort from play despite facing heavy pressure.
He did miss his next placed ball, with Ryan Mahon edging the Rapps back in front (0-16 to 1-12) before Patrick Breen squandered two chances to join the scoresheet for the third game running.
Byrne nailed a levelling free, and Mahon missed one for his side's first wide of the half as the excitement grew in the well-populated stand.
The five additional minutes had just started when Paul Morris made it 1-14 to 0-16 in favour of the champions, only for Liam Ryan to storm down the field and equalise from 50 metres after Ryan Mahon gave him a pass.
Chris Turner struck a line ball over the endline, and Ryan Mahon hit a near-post wide from a left-wing free at the other end, before Rapparees defender Mel Doyle made a vital intervention and was fouled after substitute Christopher O'Connor tried to latch on to a Paul Morris centre.
The Enniscorthy side's last attack that followed was successfully cleared, and seconds later 'Dee' Doyle was the name on everyone's lips as he sealed the deal for Ferns.
Both teams will face rivals in desperate need of points this coming weekend, with the victors playing Rathnure in McCauley Park, Bellefield on Saturday afternoon, while Rapparees will take on Oulart-The Ballagh in Chadwicks Wexford Park later that evening.

Ferns St. Aidans: James Lawlor; Ciarán Roberts (0-1), Niall Murphy, Patrick Breen; Conor Scallan, James Tonks, Eoin Murphy; Gavin Bailey (0-1), Benny Jordan (0-1); Chris Turner (1-0), Paul Morris (capt., 0-2), Jonny Dwyer (0-1); John Breen (0-1), Ian Byrne (0-7, 6 frees), Diarmuid Doyle. Subs. - Christopher O'Connor for Doyle (43), Doyle (0-1) for Turner (54), Rory Scallan for J. Breen (56), Turner for Dwyer (57).
Rapparees: Anthony Larkin (0-1 free); Mel Doyle, Liam Ryan (0-1), Anthony Roche; James Peare, Ben Edwards, Jack Kelly; Kevin Foley (0-3, 2 frees), Ryan Mahon (0-4, 3 frees); Dylan McVeigh (0-1), Ricky Fox, Oisín Pepper (0-7, 4 frees); Alan Tobin (capt.), Lenny Connolly, Nick Doyle. Subs. - Anthony Murphy for Fox (44), Floyd Murphy for McVeigh (56).
Referee: James Owens (Askamore).
 
July 22: Ferns St. Aidans 2-25, Rathnure 2-19
RATHNURE IMPROVED when rebounding from seven points down in the first-half to be lurking within three points on a few occasions during the second-half of Saturday's Pettitt's Senior hurling championship fourth round Group B encounter in an overcast McCauley Park, Bellefield.
In the long run, Ferns St. Aidan's were comfortable, but this was certainly Rathnure's most improved showing of a difficult campaign for the black and ambers which now pits them in a massive concluding qualifier against Oulart-The Ballagh, a confrontation they simply have to win if last year's relegation finalists are to avoid another do-or-die clash with the bottom team in Group A.
It's a far sunnier disposition Ferns St. Aidan's find themselves in, with a perfect qualifying record so far meaning they are the first defending champion since Oulart-The Ballagh in 2016 to win their opening four games in this six-team format; Oulart-The Ballagh went on to win all five group games in that campaign.
And Ferns St. Aidan's also won all five in 2013 en route to qualifying for the county final against eventual winners Oulart-The Ballagh.
Pat Bennett's Gorey District crew will sign-off the group this time around against an also already qualified Crossabeg-Ballymurn, when most focus will be on that immensely pivotal clash of former super powers Rathnure and Oulart-The Ballagh.
Rathnure will definitely have to look at why they've tended to be such slow starters this year, as Ferns St. Aidan's, after an opening exchange of points between Shane Lawlor and Diarmuid Doyle, stole a march by the 17th minute (1-8 to 0-3).
Chris Turner and Ian Byrne made it 0-3 to 0-1 before a Rory Higgins response on five minutes was put firmly in the shade when Paul Morris sent Ian Byrne through on the left to rifle to the country-end net in the sixth minute (1-3 to 0-2).
Benny Jordan and Michael Redmond traded scores before the red and whites pressed on to forge an eight-point advantage as Rory Scallan and John Breen got amongst the point-getters together with further additions from Doyle and Jordan.
A turnover by Rory Higgins led to him ending Rathnure's nine-minute mini famine with an 18th-minute score to which Ciarán O'Connor quickly added a free (1-8 to 0-5), but Diarmuid Doyle was threatening the Rathnure net before play was pulled back for a free pointed by Ian Byrne.
In fairness, Rathnure were giving themselves a shake at this stage, and they had shaved the gap to five points by half-time (1-11 to 0-9) as Jack Redmond (free and play), Lawlor and Michael Redmond boosted Colm Byrne's charges while two Ian Byrne frees kept Ferns ticking over.
Two further dead-balls from Jack Redmond had the gap back down to three points after 37 minutes (1-11 to 0-11).
After an exchange of scores, Paul Morris and Benny Jordan put Ferns five points clear on 44 minutes (1-14 to 0-12), but Rathnure were still on their coat-tails when getting it back to three points again on 43 minutes (1-15 to 0-15), as Jack Redmond sandwiched a Michael Martin point with similar scores.
However, there's a clear difference between the vibrancy of these sides right now, and Ferns St. Aidan's quickly developed daylight once more.
Jordan, Byrne (two frees and one from play) made it 1-19 to 0-15 after 45 minutes, before substitute Jonny Dwyer released Diarmuid Doyle to dash in from the left wing and plant a 48th-minute goal.
That expanded the gulf to 2-19 to 0-17, although the battling nature of Rathnure's effort translated into Shane Lawlor getting past a hurley-less opponent to squeeze his shot into the net off an unfortunate defender to peg it back to 2-20 to 1-18 on 49 minutes.
It was soon back out to nine points - with Ian Byrne (free), Jordan, Dwyer (line ball) and full-back Niall Murphy pumping it out to 2-24 to 1-18 on 57 minutes - although Rathnure quite remarkably never gave up the ghost despite time and the scoreline being against them.
The issue for them though is to bring that fight in the opening stages of a game, with their resolve on this occasion seeing Jack Redmond crash home a consolation goal direct from a free in the closing action three minutes into added-time.

Ferns St. Aidans: James Lawlor; Conor Scallan, Niall Murphy (0-1), Eoin Murphy; Declan Byrne, Patrick Breen, Ciarán Roberts; Gavin Bailey, Rory Scallan (0-1); Diarmuid Doyle (1-4), Ian Byrne (1-9, 0-6 frees), Benny Jordan (0-5); Chris Turner (0-1), Paul Morris (capt., 0-1), John Breen (0-2). Subs. - Jonny Dwyer (0-1 line ball) for Turner (46), James Tonks for Bailey (51), Turner for J. Breen (56).
Rathnure: Kyle Martin; Stephen Martin, Denis Maher, Mick Somers; Philip Redmond, Paddy Whiteley, Micheál O'Connor; Rory Higgins (0-2), Eamon Wickham; Michael Redmond (0-2), James Tobin, Michael Martin (0-2); Shane Lawlor (1-3), Jack Redmond (1-9, 1-3 frees, 0-2 '65s), Ciarán O'Connor (capt., 0-1 free). Subs. - Seán O'Connor for J. Redmond, temp. (19-21), O'Connor for Tobin (41), Donal Wickham for Somers (51), Aidan Redmond for Whiteley (57).
Referee: Thomas Furlong (Adamstown).

July 30: Ferns St. Aidans 2-17, Crossabeg/Ballymurn 0-20
ONCE THE Jonny Dwyer and Diarmuid Doyle double act combined for a tenth-minute goal, there was always a certain expectation that Ferns St. Aidans would complete a perfect qualifying campaign despite Crossabeg-Ballymurn's determination in Sunday's closing Pettitt's Senior hurling championship Group B clash in a thankfully dry McCauley Park, Bellefield.
The last time Ferns won all five group games they made the county final, in 2013. They've come a long way since, and the first-time champions now have Oylegate-Glenbrien in the quarter-final in Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday for the right to face either St. Anne's or Shelmaliers in the last four.
Crossabeg-Ballymurn were already free to plan for the last eight before this tie, but they were eager to improve their finishing position.
However, as it transpired, even victory here wouldn't have shifted Diarmuid McDonald's charges out of third spot as a consequence of their round two loss to Rapparees.
They'd probably rather not have last year's runners-up St. Martin's next, but Crossabeg-Ballymurn, the Intermediate champions of 2020, are back in a Senior hurling quarter-final for the first time since 1994, when they beat Faythe Harriers before a semi-final exit to Oulart-The Ballagh.
Neither of the latter two remain involved this year but Crossabeg-Ballymurn do, and so at least they have a crack at making the semi-finals again in the main county ground on Saturday.
They're certainly not prone to being intimidated by whatever degree of illustrious the opposition might be, and they picked away at Ferns only to be a step or two away for much of the way.
The reigning champions knew they couldn't be dislodged from top spot heading into this fifth round clash, and the Pat Bennett management availed of the opportunity to change things up a touch.
That included regular centre-back James Tonks getting a first-half at centre-forward, before reverting to his natural home.
Aside from a few other positional trials, Brian O'Neill (Clone), Brian Stafford and James Kinsella gained their first taste of top-flight Senior championship action as they were promoted from Junior ranks, and each are on the right side of the age scale: O'Neill 24, Stafford 20, and 'Gooch' Kinsella 19. They should be chuffed with their contributions in a vibrant affair.
Mark Byrne had two early frees for Crossabeg-Ballymurn matched by Eoin Murphy and Ian Byrne (free) respectively before Diarmuid Doyle followed pointing Ferns in front by repeating his act with Jonny Dwyer from one week earlier on the same plot of Bellefield turf.
Back then, against Rathnure, Dwyer released the former Marshalstown-Castledockrell man from play to race in and rattle the town-end net.
This time, on ten minutes, line ball specialist Dwyer's cut from the same left flank found Doyle inside to kick to the same town-end net (1-3 to 0-2).
But with Mark Byrne in brilliantly reliable free-taking form for the opposition - his 0-13 total on this occasion bettering the 0-11 and 0-12 highs from the last campaign when he began to assume these duties in succession to Niall Murphy - Crossabeg-Ballymurn always kept knocking on the door.
Ferns St. Aidans eventually led by 1-9 to 0-8 at half-time, but they could have added a second goal on 27 minutes when Rory Scallan released captain Paul Morris, who rode a few challenges before finding Ian Byrne who forced a fine save, before Morris reaped a point from the recycled possession.
Crossabeg-Ballymurn kept in the hunt as free-taker Byrne, Conor Devereux and sweeper Paudie Foley closed the margin to 1-10 to 0-11 only 34 minutes in.
But Ferns St. Aidans strengthened their grip three minutes later when substitute James Kinsella was fouled at the expense of a penalty which Ian Byrne rifled home for a tidy 2-10 to 0-11 advantage.
Regardless, there was evidently no discouraging their rivals as the green and whites responded with five of the next eight points - Oisín Foley finally getting off the mark with two - to be within a manageable 2-13 to 0-16 on 51 minutes.
Ferns St. Aidans matched them score-for-score from there though, including Brian Stafford's Senior debut-crowning first point on 52 minutes, as a useful enough work-out ended with the titleholders still showing no signs of yielding.
 
Ferns St. Aidans: James Lawlor; Brian O'Neill (Clone), Niall Murphy, Declan Byrne; Conor Scallan, Eoin Murphy (0-2), Patrick Breen; Brian Stafford (0-1), Rory Scallan; Chris Turner, James Tonks (0-1), Jonny Dwyer (0-1); Ian Byrne (1-6, 0-4 frees, 1-0 pen.), Diarmuid Doyle (1-1), Paul Morris (capt., 0-5). Subs. - James Kinsella for D. Byrne, temp (HT-FT), Christopher O'Connor for Turner (45), Turner for Dwyer (60), Dwyer for Doyle, inj. (60+2).
Crossabeg-Ballymurn: Noel Scallan; Robert Murphy, Aaron Cummins, Seamus Carroll; Bill Eviston (capt.), Paudie Foley (0-2), Conor Devereux (0-1); Jack Fortune, Ronan Devereux; Evan Kinlough (0-1), Oisín Foley (0-2), Mark Byrne (0-13, 12 frees, 1 line ball); Joe Kelly (0-1), Brody Murphy, Andrew Butler. Sub. - David Kehoe for Cummins (49).
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater).
 
August 6, quarter-final: Oylegate-Glenbrien 1-17, Ferns St. Aidans 0-17
THE SHORT reign of Ferns St. Aidans as first-time Pettitt's Senior hurling champions came to an end in a gripping conclusion to their quarter-final in Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday, with Séamus Casey the man of the moment for gritty underdogs Oylegate-Glenbrien.
An impeccable free-taking display had seen him register eight out of eight, some from deep inside his own half, but the game was still finely poised at 0-16 each after Ferns substitute Chris Turner sent over his second point from 55 metres in the 59th minute.
Just as we were contemplating extra-time, Casey latched on to the break from Aaron Duggan's long puck-out and crashed a glorious drive into the top right corner of the net, leaving the titleholders in dire straits.
It was frantic stuff in the three additional minutes announced that extended beyond four, with Casey almost creating an insurance goal shortly after Patrick Breen had run into heavy traffic at the other end.
With Ferns pushing bodies forward, Podge Doran and Niall Murphy were all alone to contest a Casey delivery. The tenacious full-back was his side's star performer, but for once he was beaten by Doran who couldn't add that second goal, with James Lawlor making a top-notch save.
It meant there was still hope for Ferns, although Lawlor sent a booming drive wide before the insurance score did arrive for Oylegate-Glenbrien in the third extra minute.
Substitute Jamie Reck handpassed to Joe Dunne who sent over his second point, with the leaders then dropping one shot short and adding their eleventh wide (Ferns had 15) before Eoin Murphy closed the scoring.
Niall Murphy had the ball and was about to launch another exocet towards the town end square when referee Stephen Burke called for full-time, with onlookers left to draw a breath as first-year manager Des Mythen celebrated a massive win with his Oylegate-Glenbrien charges.
They were following in the footsteps of the club's 1960 team, who dethroned then champions Enniscorthy St. Aidans in a semi-final replay before losing heavily to Faythe Harriers in their maiden decider.
Sunday's win was every bit as unexpected as their previous success at this stage - against Shelmaliers in 2018 - and now they will approach the weekend test with justifiable grounds for optimism after drawing with St. Anne's when the sides met in their group game on July 9 (1-14 to 0-17).
A hungry Oylegate-Glenbrien made life very uncomfortable for Ferns from the off, but at one stage in the second-half I wondered if they were going to come up agonisingly short.
It felt as if they were struggling to deliver that final blow even though the favourites were on the ropes, but then up stepped Séamus Casey to ensure a repeat of their 2-11 to 1-9 group stage win over the same rivals in Hollymount five years ago.
If there's one moment above all others that will return to haunt Ferns St. Aidans, it's that which arrived in the 58th minute - just before Chris Turner's equalising point - when they trailed by 0-16 to 0-15.
Niall Murphy won a free that James Lawlor delivered long, and time seemed to stand still as speedy corner-forward Diarmuid Doyle latched on to the break and hared away towards goal.
Aaron Duggan was well beaten by his shot, but it pinged back into play off the butt of the far post and Oylegate-Glenbrien really rode their luck.
It was a massive moment in the overall context of the game, even more so after Séamus Casey produced that exquisite finish at the other end just over one minute later.
And while the former county player's role in the win was immense, in fairness Oylegate-Glenbrien had heroes all over the field.
Jack Reck was tremendous around the centre, while Shane Reck kept Paul Morris in a vice-like grip and held him scoreless.
And their mentors were also wide awake because, when Corey Byrne-Dunbar posed problems and Paudie Casey was eventually booked for persistent fouling in the 42nd minute, they didn't delay in moving Damien Reck on to the one Ferns forward who seemed to be on his game.
Full-back Ciarán Hourihane is also deserving of special mention, not just for his contribution in this match but for his consistency over the campaign thus far.
He had very big boots to fill, as the now-retired Michael Heffernan was a colossus on the edge of the square for Oylegate-Glenbrien over many years, but he has stood tall and should be well pleased with his evening's work.
The same goes for his brother, Fiachra, and Joe Dunne who chipped in with two points apiece, along with joint-captain Mike Kelly who brings admirable drive and poise to their play from wing-back.
Ferns held a 0-5 to 0-3 lead at the end of the first quarter, with Ian Byrne (two frees and two from play) and Diarmuid Doyle on target while Séamus Casey hit back from three placed balls.
Byrne (free) and Byrne-Dunbar widened the margin to four, but they never looked like establishing a big gap as Fiachra Hourihane and Casey (free and play) responded.
Niall Murphy had made a key block to deny Jack Reck in the tenth minute, and Peter Rowley drove a shot on goal wide from a Podge Doran off-load when their side trailed by 0-7 to 0-6.
Diarmuid Doyle and Ian Byrne (free) established a three-point lead that was quickly wiped out by Fiachra Hourihane, a monster Casey free from his own '45, and Conor Heffernan, and they remained level at half-time (0-10 each) after a late exchange between the respective free-takers.
While Casey remained razor-sharp from every chance on the restart, Byrne wasn't as convincing and the eleven wides posted by Ferns after the break to just four in reply made a massive difference to the outcome of such a tight game.
They were level on another two occasions before Jack Reck inspired his colleagues with a super long-range point after exchanging short passes with Conor Heffernan from a line ball.
Ferns had a scoreless ten-minute spell, with that Reck beauty followed by two more Casey frees to leave them trailing by 0-15 to 0-12.
Ian Byrne did drill a low shot across goal and wide in that time, but it could have been a lot worse because Fiachra Hourihane popped a pass inside for Pa Cullen in the 47th minute, and a goal was on.
He probably should have had a go himself, but instead he tried to pass to proven finisher Podge Doran and the excellent Niall Murphy - an emerging player who deserved more game-time from the Wexford mentors this year - made a fine interception.
Jonny Dwyer eventually stopped the rot with a Ferns point, only for Jack Reck to respond with another cracker from tight to the sideline in the 51st minute (0-16 to 0-13).
It was in the period that followed when I pondered if Oylegate-Glenbrien would somehow leave it behind them.
Indeed, when Ferns applied pressure and eventually equalised courtesy of Ian Byrne (free) and Chris Turner (two), it looked like the repeat of a familiar pattern whereby underperforming champions somehow manage to fall over the line first was about to unfold.
That was before Séamus Casey produced his party piece, reminding everyone of the talent he possesses that wasn't allowed to flourish enough on the biggest stage either during his time on the county panel.
 
Ferns St. Aidans: James Lawlor; Conor Scallan, Niall Murphy, Declan Byrne; James Tonks, Patrick Breen, Eoin Murphy (0-1); Gavin Bailey, Rory Scallan; Paul Morris (capt.), Benny Jordan, Jonny Dwyer (0-1); Corey Byrne-Dunbar (0-2), Ian Byrne (0-9, 7 frees), Diarmuid Doyle (0-2). Subs. - Chris Turner (0-2) for Dwyer (51), Brian Stafford for Tonks (51), John Breen for Jordan (59).
Oylegate-Glenbrien: Aaron Duggan; Tomás Cosgrave, Ciarán Hourihane, Paudie Casey; Mike Kelly (joint-capt., 0-1), Damien Reck, Shane Reck; Pa Cullen, Jack Reck (0-2); Conor Heffernan (0-1), Séamus Casey (joint-capt., 1-9, 0-8 frees), Fiachra Hourihane (0-2); Joe Dunne (0-2), Podge Doran, Peter Rowley. Subs. - Fergal Doran for Heffernan (55), Jamie Reck for Rowley (57).
Referee: Stephen Burke (Na Fianna Clonard).

 
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