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Martin's dump Rathnure

ST. MARTIN'S showed that their desire to repeat the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship win of 2008 is strong as they dumped fellow big-hitters Rathnure out of the race at the quarter-final stage in Wexford Park on Sunday last. The men in maroon made full use of the strong wind in their favour in the opening half, and they defended resolutely after the break to book a place in the last four with an impressive display. Indeed, they now look like the only one of the three teams capable of really giving Oulart-The Ballagh a rattle, with all six forwards scoring from play and their backs doing well in the face of that heavy pressure after the break.

Rally is a definite starter

AS THE closing date passes for the Riverbank House Hotel Dick Bailey stages rally 2010, the committee of Wexford Motor Club are fully committed to the running of this year's staging of this long-established rally. We are still under subscribed and are actively seeking late entries, and to this end, anyone interested can still contact Pat O'Dowd, clerk of the course, on 087-9184022, or use the entry systems available on www.wexfordmotorclub.com.

Ibar's-Shels celebrate 50 years

THE St. Ibar's-Shelmalier club celebrated a fabulous camogie milestone on Saturday last - with a lot of help from their sporting friends. Hollymount was a hive of activity from 10 a.m. until just before 2 p.m. as the 50th anniversary of their formation in 1960 was marked with a series of fun blitzes. The Glynn-Barntown, Rapparees, DavidstownCourtnacuddy, Blackwater, Buffers Alley, Faythe Harriers and Oulart-The Ballagh clubs were all represented too on a memorable occasion as the hard-working organisers showed that the next 50 years and more of this proud, progressive club will be in very safe hands.

Ross Celtic off to flyer

CHAMPIONS NEW Ross Celtic got their campaign of to a winning start by overcoming Forth Celtic in a real goal-fest in Murrintown on Sunday. The teams attacked at every opportunity, which was reflected in the 7-4 scoreline at the finish. Ross Celtic got on the scoresheet through an own goal, Michael Grangel, Seán Culleton, Damien 'Fee' Cullen, substitute Mark Lee (2) and debutant Dylan Murphy, while a gallant Forth Celtic side replied through Paul Cowman, Ciarán Redmond (2) and Kevin Price (penalty).

Ferns shade epic derby encounter

By ALAN AHERNE in Wexford Park

FERNS ST. Aidan's really had to earn their place in a first Pettitt's Senior hurling championship semifinal since 2000 as they eventually overcame near neighbours Askamore in a contest of immense quality in Wexford Park on Saturday last.

Another wonderful medals haul

THE CURTAIN was brought down on the HSE Community Games national finals on Sunday, August 22, at Athlone I.T. Over the three weekends, children from all over the county participated with distinction in most of the activities. To say they brought honour to family, area and county would be an understatement; they did more than that, and it showed in their results. From the three weekends, the amount of medals brought home was exceptional and I reckon that 2010 was probably our best to date.

Champs to take on Ferns

OUTSIDERS Ferns St. Aidan's drew the short straw at Monday night's Pettitt's Senior hurling championship semi-final draw when they were pitted against an Oulart-The Ballagh team which looked invincible in their weekend demolition of Faythe Harriers. The game will go ahead in Wexford Park on Sunday, September 26, as part of a double bill along with the meeting of St. Martin's and Buffers Alley which will be harder to call. However, the saints will start as favourites based on their impressive victory over Rathnure, whereas the Alley only hit their best form in patches as they overcame Rapparees after extra-time.

Inside Sport

Dympna denies Wexford

THE WEXFORD ladies travelled to Freshford on Saturday last optimistic that they could qualify for the All-Ireland in September but had to give way to an impressive Limerick side on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-8. Limerick were defeated in last year's final and were determined to reach the decider again, and right from the off they set about reaching their goal.

Alley avail of extra-time to return to last four

THE BUFFERS Alley mentors will probably be the first to admit that they still have a lot of improving to do, but the result is all that matters at this stage of the Pettitt's Senior hurling championship. And when the dust had settled after Saturday's quarterfinal clash with a hard-trying Rapparees team which ended in semi-darkness in Wexford Park, the simple fact is that they are now looking forward to a seventh penultimate round tie in eight years.

INSIDE RIGHT: Wily Harry will have high hopes for Hotspur

WHEN THE Champions League draw was made last Thursday in magical Monaco, most of the interest of 'Inside Right' was focussed on how Spurs would fare as the teams were painstakingly pulled from the hat.

ONtheFAIRWAYS

ROSSLARE LADIES: Saturday, August 21, open fourball: 1, Kay Broderick (20/15) and Esther Broderick (35/26), 49 points; 2, Lynn Cronin (13/10) and Ann Merrigan (20/15, Carton House), 42 points (back nine); 3, Joyce Maquire (14/11) and Rita Hayes (26/20), 42 points. Tuesday, August 24, Pat and Bobbie Memorial Cup sponsored by friends of Pat and Bobbie: 1, Mary Maguire (27), 6 up; 2, Ann McHugh (16), 4 up (back nine); gross, Anna O'Leary (14), 7 down; 3, Bernie O'Riordan (32), 4 up (back six); 4, Molly Cash (18), 4 up; Senior, Claire O'Beirne (15), 3 up (back nine); 5, Rosemary Spellman (26), 3 up (back nine).

New dates for big National Hunt tests

YES, I know that they are more than seven months away, but changes have been made in the dates of the four big National Hunt festivals in Ireland and Britain in 2011. Always keen to ensure that they don't clash, or at least try to refrain from racing on the same days, Punchestown racecourse has moved next year's fixture into May. With Cheltenham taking March 15 to 18 and Aintree staging the Grand National on April 9, the two British racing festivals have a nice break between them.

Cleaning up our act

Should Wexford's litter problem be highlighted, in the hope of inspiring more people to do more to tackle it?

Yes 80%
No 20%

Editor's Choice

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