Tús maith leath na h-oibre, was certainly the case in the Slashers v Aughrim game in Pearse Park on Saturday when the home side opened with a tactically smart goal minutes into the game set up by a laser accurate pass by David Buckley to Darragh Caslin who made no mistake in slotting it into the top corner. That opening big score saw Slashers hold the lead to half time when the score read 1-8 to 1-5 to the Sky Blues after a real workmanlike first half when every ball was hurled and Reuben Murray was on form on the frees.
The Wicklow lads were always going to respond and in the 2nd half showed lots of grit but faced a Slashers team unwilling to step back. Adam Murray in goal was assured and on form for the long distance frees. Going down the straight, Slashers were holding onto the minimum of leads with Aughrim throwing the kitchen sink at it and Slashers defending like tigers, pulling on everything. Kealan Cox gave a display of defending and his first touch was unforgiving in the heat of battle. On the stroke of full time, Seán Tiernan was through on goal and was fouled which left a tap over point for Reuben Murray to claim the victory by 2 points. Great credit to Robbie Stakelum's hurling nous and all the management team and players for a riveting contest that now takes them onto a Leinster Special Junior Final V Amsterdam on 22 Nov.