NEWS IN BRIEF
DAVE IN THE NEWS: Our man Dave Devereux was in the news himself on this week ten years ago, winning the Mick Dunne Memorial Award in the Best Published Article category at the national camogie media presentations in Newbridge for his feature with former All-Ireland winning manager Stellah Sinnott, which highlighted the importance of player welfare.
ACES IN THE ALLEY: It was a week to remember for Wexford handball, with a four out of four record in the All-Ireland semi-finals.
First up was Paul ‘Curly’ Lambert who defeated Oisín Naughton in the Roscommon man’s St. Coman’s club alley on a 21-11, 21-20 scoreline in the Junior ‘B’ singles.
‘Curly’ then teamed up with Peter Hughes (Ballyhogue) for a 2113, 21-13 triumph over Naughton and Shane Hennelly in the doubles semi-final in Horeswood.
That game was the second half of a double bill, after Fintan Doyle and Declan Hart beat Brendan Judge and Aidan Bell from Mayo (21-16, 21-15) in the Silver Masters ‘B’ doubles.
Ned Buggy was also on the glory trail, beating Morgan Darcy from Galway in the All-Ireland Diamond Masters ‘A’ singles semi-final in St. Coman’s (21-13, 21-11).
MINOR DERBY WIN: The Wexford Minor footballers defeated Wicklow by 0-11 to 1-2 in the Leinster League in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, with the points coming from Gavin Murphy (two), current Senior Jonathan Bealin (two), Stephen Corrigan (two), Seán Ring (two frees), Niall Moore, Graeme Cullen and Brendan Kearney.
CELTIC MOVE CLOSER: Soccer kingpins New Ross Celtic moved a step closer to another Premier Division title when the reigning champions chalked up an impressive 5-0 win over Ferns United.
Seán Culleton helped himself to a hat-trick, with Anthony O’Connor and Tommy Lee adding a goal apiece. The outcome left Celtic on 39 points, eleven points clear of nearest challengers Shamrock Rovers with four games left.
LEGENDS ONE AND ALL: The Wexford Football League Legends team was revealed at the launch of the book to mark the 50th anniversary by former League Secretary, Oscar Traynor manager, and People Newspapers journalist, Johnny Roche (sadly no longer with us).
The team was: Tommy Walsh (Wexford Bohs), Dermot Byrne (North End), Mark Goodison (Park Hotspur), John ‘Brad’ O’Neill (New Ross Celtic), Joe Brazil (New Ross Celtic), Mick Millar (Ajax Athletic), Tom ‘Flash’ Dunne (Ajax Athletic), Wayne O’Leary (Rosslare Rangers), Brendan Dunne (Park Rangers), Paul Harrington (New Ross Celtic), Nicky Jones (North End United).
YOUTHS PIPPED: A Barry Clancy goal after seven minutes was enough for Monaghan United to see off an uninspiring Wexford Youths in their Airtricity League First Division clash in Ferrycarrig Park.
CAPTAINS DRIVE IN: It was drive-in time for the Captains in a couple of local clubs.
Denis Howell and Marion Siggins did the honours in Courtown, assisted by Presidents Malachy Travers and Beatrice Griffiths, while Seán Fitzgerald and Aine O’Connell got the golfing year officially under way in Tuskar Rock.