E’CORTHY HOCKEY

It was the last day of the league and there was everything to play for, for the hockey men of Enniscorthy.

With three teams vying for two promotion spots, Enniscorthy knew travelling to take on fourth-place U.C.D. that a win or a draw would be enough to seal their place in Division 4 for the 2017-’18 season, but anything less would most probably have seen local rivals Wicklow and Dublin side Clontarf take top two spots.

Donal Doyle’s Enniscorthy men started well under the beautiful spring sun without the ever-solid defender, Martyn Vietch, and one of his top scorers, Edmundus Liukimas.

The depth now available to the Wexford men is testament to coach Doyle and manager Fraser Rothwell in their hard work over the last number of seasons.

Saturday saw another youngster getting his chance to shine as Under-16 player Seb Rynhart was included in the match day panel after a series of impressive performances at Under-16 and second XI levels.

Enniscorthy’s forward line of Jowett, Duran and Cooke from the start were keeping the U.C.D. back line on their toes, their collective pace being key in stretching the students. However, it was far from a one-sided start as early on U.C.D. were awarded a succession of short corners.

Goalkeeper Graham Hill was called into action quickly and made one vital interception with his leg at full stretch, managing to nudge the ball just off his line. Doyle’s men didn’t panic and pushed forward, with the Chapman brothers and Medcalf in midfield supplying their forwards with positive ball.

Enniscorthy’s first goal came on the 15-minute mark when the older Chapman brother, Glenn, won possession from U.C.D. in the middle of the park and worked the ball up into the circle to Jowett. His pass then found Roy Chapman who claimed one of his most important goals this season.

The Wexford men doubled their lead five minutes later. Rogan broke down the right side, passing to Jowett on the top of the U.C.D. circle and he then played a slick reverse pass to Seb Rynhart. The Under-16 star had the awareness to spot Rogan coming in on the back post, and he dived for the ball to get it over the line.

U.C.D. were well able to break and had some great pace down both wings, but the defence of Simmons and three Rothwells - Clive, Ivan and Andrew - worked hard to cut out the danger.

At half-time Donal Doyle’s men were in a strong position but needed to stay solid and pin the Dublin side deep into their own half. The fresh legs from the likes of Jason Rothwell and Hogan were key in the Wexford side’s win.

Enniscorthy came close to increasing their lead on a number of occasions, with the College ‘keeper having to pull off some great saves from shots from Rynhart, Jason Rothwell and Jowett.

U.C.D. pushed hard and in the last few minutes were awarded a number of short corners but Enniscorthy and Hill in particular - who had some immense saves - kept a clean sheet and saw the game out as it finished 2-0 to the delight of the Wexford side and their supporters.

With the three points secured, there was an anxious wait for news from East Glendalough School where Wicklow hosted Clontarf. A win or draw for the visitors would mean a third league title in four years for Enniscorthy, and after a dramatic match in Wicklow town, Clontarf emerged victorious: Enniscorthy were once again champions.

Enniscorthy: Graham Hill, Clive Rothwell, David Simmons, Ivan Rothwell, Andrew Rothwell, Glenn Chapman, Roy Chapman, Daithí Medcalf, Liam Jowett, Cory Cooke, William Durnan, Jason Rothwell, Pearse Rogan, Cian Hogan, Seb Rynhart. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell.

Enniscorthy ladies’ firsts hockey team managed to secure themselves a place in the third round of the Ladies’ Hockey Association Trophy on Sunday by beating Wexford firsts 1-0.

The match got off to a poor start for Enniscorthy as Wexford attacked in full force. This was the fourth time that these two strong teams have played each other this year, and Wexford were thirsty for a third win.

They attacked mainly down Enniscorthy’s left side, the more difficult side to defend, but excellent work by Olive Lett, Katie Owen and Julie Watchorn managed to keep the Wexford ladies out of the circle.

Powerful hit-outs by Watchorn were unfortunately intercepted by Wexford, which got them a shot on goal. Thankfully the skilled goalkeeper, Fiona Rothwell, saved the first attempt, while a second shot which looked sure to be a goal for Wexford was stopped by Owen and was cleared by one of Enniscorthy’s youngest players, Laura Smith.

The older Flood sister, Jessie, moved the ball around the pitch to switch the play to the right side. Fantastic passing between Sonja Rynhart, Marti Rudd, Leah Chapman and Anna Flood got the girls into the circle where they were awarded a short corner.

To Enniscorthy’s disappointment, Wexford saved the goal and moved the ball quickly down to the other side of the pitch. Enniscorthy put their fitness to the test by racing back down the field to defend. An accidental foot resulted in a short corner for Wexford.

However, the Wexford attackers were no match for Enniscorthy’s defenders, as Smith showed no fear and defended a high ball into the circle, keeping the score level at 0-0 for the half-time whistle. Enniscorthy came out of the team talk with their coach, Donal Doyle, eager for victory and dominated for the entire second-half. Accurate passing from May Wickham kept possession, and quick frees were taken by Ruth Harrington up the right line to Rudd.

Passing from Rudd to Stephanie Kinsella and Rynhart caught the Wexford girls off guard. Rudd managed to win the Slaneysiders a second short corner by hitting a Wexford foot.

A fantastic pass from the younger Flood sister, Anna, directly to Rynhart gave her that extra second to pick her target before she powerfully hit the ball directly past all the Wexford defenders and goalkeeper and into the back corner of the goal, putting our ladies in the lead.

After push back Wexford fought back, bringing the ball into the circle, but a high ball injured young May Wickham who had been playing brilliantly. Laura Bailey, another of the younger girls, subbed on for May and dominated her skilled marker from the word go.

Wexford managed to win another short corner as the final whistle blew, but ’Scorthy’s defence was too close to victory to let in a final goal, and the game finished 1-0. There was fantastic play by the ladies on both teams, but Enniscorthy triumphed, leaving them to look forward to the next round of the L.H.A. trophy.

Enniscorthy: Fiona Rothwell, Katie Owen, Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith, May Wickham, Jessie Flood, Olive Lett, Ruth Harrington, Marti Rudd, Sonja Rynhart, Anna Flood, Laura O’Leary, Leah Chapman, Laura Bailey, Stephanie Kinsella. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Irene Doyle.