WEXFORD SHC Oulart-the-Ballagh 3-12 Buffers Alley 1-13: NICKY KIRWAN delivered the knock-out blow with a goal on 60 minutes as Oulart-the-Ballagh held off a dramatic Buffers Alley second-half recovery to lift the title at Wexford Park yesterday.

The goal could not have arrived at a more opportune time as Buffers Alley were storming all over their opponents and it was Kirwan’s goal which gave his side a five-point lead to help them go on and deservedly lift the title.

Oulart-the-Ballagh deserved their victory but they have much to thank the diminutive corner-forward for as Kirwan finished the game with a personal tally of 3-4.

With five minutes remaining in the game, Buffers Alley had reduced the deficit to two points but it was Kirwan’s late goal which killed off their comeback.

Oulart-the-Ballagh opened in whirlwind fashion getting their opening goal within 30 seconds of the start when Kirwan found the net from close range. By the ninth minute they had stretched into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead with the Alley having to wait until the 10th minute for their opening score a Seán Óg Whelan point.

With Paul Roche, Laurence Prendergast and David Redmond commanding in the Oulart defence, the Alley attack had to rely on the accuracy of Pat Doran from frees for two points but with Rory Jacob, John Roche, with two long-range frees, and Kirwan picking off points Oulart-the-Ballagh were in control at 1-10 to 0-4 at the interval.

Buffers Alley opened the second half strongly as Pat Doran pointed a 33rd-minute free, but one minute later they were rocked right back on their heels, when after a David Redmond shot had been beaten out by goalkeeper Séamus Kavanagh, the ever-alert Kirwan was on hand to finish to the net from close range leaving his side leading 2-10 to 0-5.

Trailing by 11 points, Buffers Alley needed a leader and it was Tomás O’Leary who lofted over two great points to ignite his side’s recovery. Points followed from Pat Doran and O’Leary once again. While Oulart lifted the siege through a David Redmond point, Buffers Alley were now playing their best hurling. Pat Doran pointed a free before crashing a 30-metre free to the net with nine minutes remaining.

Buffers Alley were now all over their opponents as Doran and O’Leary points left just two points separating the sides, 2-11 to 1-12. Darren Nolan and Doran exchanged points before the ever-alert Kirwan pounced for the clinching goal on full-time.

OULART: B O'Connor; J Roche (0-2, one free), P Roche, B Kehoe; D Redmond (0-2, free), K Rossiter, L Prendergast; E Moore, M Jacob; D Nolan (0-1), D Stamp, S Doyle; R Jacob (0-2), G Sinnott (0-1), N Kirwan (3-4, 0-4 frees). Sub: A O'Leary for R Jacob.

BUFFERS ALLEY: S Kavanagh; R Kirwan, B Kenny, K Harney; B Kenny, P Reidy, J Foley; S Óg Whelan (0-1), C Kenny; S Grannell, W Doran, P Doran (1-7); T O'Leary (0-4), D Moran, P Kenny (0-1). Subs: M Sinnott for Harney; K Burke for Moran; J Hughes for Grannell.

Referee: D Murphy(Rapparees).