Wexford SHC Semi-finals: It's a clash of the "Old Firm" after holders Oulart-the-Ballagh and Rathnure emerged victorious from their respective county hurling semi-finals at Wexford Park yesterday.

Rathnure captain Martin Byrne scored the crucial second-half goal that proved sufficient to inspire his side to a two-point - 1-17 to 2-12 - victory over Buffers Alley in the opening match.

Rathnure struggled in the opening 30 minutes and trailed 0-8 to 1-9 at the break, with Keith Burke scoring the goal. But they were level, 1-14 to 2-11, midway through the second half.

Buffers Alley responded with a Jim Hughes goal, but Trevor Hogan pointed his side back in front, with Paul and Austin Codd securing their final spot.

In the second tie, St Martin's goakeeper Mark Butler endured a torrid time as Oulart-the-Ballagh won by 5-6 to 1-12.

The game had a dramatic start with the reigning champions racing into a 2-1 to 0-0 lead inside four minutes, with the opening goal coming after less than 20 seconds when Butler allowed a long Stephen Doyle delivery slip from his grasp to the net. Three minutes later, it was the turn of Michael Jacob to fire home.

Despite Barry Lambert pulling a goal back from a free, Oulart-the-Ballagh led 3-4 to 1-3 at the interval, with Butler allowing a Darren Stamp sideline cut to slip to the corner of the net.

The nightmare was to continue through the second half as Oulart added further goals through Doyle and Nicky Kirwan.

SCORERS

Rathnure: P Codd 0-9; M Byrne 1-0; N Higgins, T Hogan, S O'Neill 0-2 each; M Redmond, A Codd 0-1 each. Buffers Alley: K Burke 1-5; P Doran 0-4; J Hughes 1-0; C Gahan 0-2; P Doyle, K Harney 0-1.

Oulart-the-Ballagh: S Doyle 2-1; M Jacob 1-3; D Stamp, N Kirwan 1-0 each; D Mythen, W Whelan 0-1 each. St Martin's: B Lambert 1-6; D Lyng, R McCarthy 0-2 each, P Murphy, R Lambert 0-1 each.