Hurling & Camogie

Late Newry Shamrocks surge seals semi-final spot

Newry Shamrocks have advanced to the semi-finals of the Ulster Junior Hurling Championship following a 1-13 to 0-13 victory over Sean Treacy’s.

Shamrocks raced into an early three-point lead in as many minutes, with Ruairi Campbell scoring two from play and Artie McGuinness adding to the scoreboard from a 45.

Sean Treacy’s steadied the ship by scoring the next two points only for Newry Shamrocks to re-establish their three-point lead via scores from Eoin and Artie McGuinness.

But Artie McGuinness’ 12th minute point was the last Shamrocks score of the first half, a barren spell that Sean Treacy’s capitalised on.

Points from Danny Magee, Shay McStravick, and Joe McKeever seen the teams enter the half-time break level on five points apiece.

And in the second half, it was Sean Treacy’s who broke into an early lead, scoring five unanswered points in almost as many minutes to open up a 0-10 to 0-5 lead.

However, when Newry Shamrocks registered their first score of the second half, it was a Jordan Murphy goal which pulled the Shamrocks right back into the match.

Joe McKeever knocked over a point to give Sean Treacy’s some breathing space after Murphy’s goal, but the tide was beginning to turn.

The Shamrocks scored the next three points of the game to level the score at 1-8 to 0-11, and while Danny Magee edged Sean Treacy’s back into a single point lead with a free, they had no answer for the late Shamrocks surge that was about to come.

The Shamrocks racked up four points in as many minutes to gain a 1-12 to 0-12 lead with time quickly running out.

Sean Treacy’s were unlucky not to pull level as Shay McStravick’s effort on goal blazed over the bar instead.

However, Eoin McGuinness sealed the win with his fourth point of the day in the dying moments as Newry Shamrocks ran out 1-13 to 0-13 victors.