There was a gale-force-breeze in Wexford Park as St Martin's defeated Naomh Eanna in the Wexford senior hurling semi-final.
Storm Ashley caused disruption all over, leading to the cancellation of county finals in Longford, Clare, Mayo and further afield, but the double-header of senior hurling semi-finals went ahead in Wexford Park.
St Anne's defeated Shelmaliers by 0-14 to 1-9 in the curtain-raiser, with four points from Aidan Rochford helping the Rathangan club into the county final.
They led by 0-12 to 0-2 at half-time, aided by the breeze, and held on for victory despite only scoring 0-2 in the entire second half.
The breeze remained strong for the second game with St Martin's streaking into a 0-16 to 0-2 lead by half-time.
The reigning champs Naomh Eanna never really got into the game and a second half goal from former AFL player Barry O'Connor effectively ended it as a contest in the 43rd minute.
The strength of the breeze was summarised by an unusual happening as the Gorey goalkeeper Darragh Hughes retrieved his own puck-out, as you can see below.
All-Ireland 2023 final referee John Keenan confirmed that such an occurence should result in a throw-in on the 20 yard line.
Nice stiff breeze in Wexford Park pic.twitter.com/lXsjgfo4oG
— The Premier 'View' (@PremierviewPod) October 21, 2024
It sets up a repeat of the 2019 final with St Martin's having beaten St Anne's on that occasion.
Elsewhere, the strong breeze led to some unusual scorelines with St Mary's Ardee defeating Naomh Mairtín by 2-2 to 0-4 in Louth.
The victorious Crosserlough team before their Cavan SFC win. Sportsfile.
Such was the power of the wind in Breffni Park Cavan that the posts were shaking during Ramor United's clash with Crosserlough, with Crosserlough going onto win the game by 2-6 to 0-4.
It didn't stop Matthew Smith kicking a perfectly measured score from the sideline, though it certainly took away from the scoring stakes, with the teams tied 0-2 apiece at half-time.
Second half goals from Conor Rehill and Stephen Smith did the business for Crosserlough, helping them to their 11th title.
1st point for @RamorUnited from a side line against @CCrosserlough in the #kiernanservicestation senior championship final pic.twitter.com/ovZz505lxb
— CAVSTREAM (@cavstream) October 20, 2024
