NEWS IN BRIEF
WORLD CUP TEST: There was good news for Wexford soccer official Michelle O’Neill when she was given the role of assistant referee at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.
COUNSEL DEPART: Good Counsel College (New Ross) were not clinical enough to break down the defensive system deployed by Roscommon C.B.S. when they lost the All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Senior football ‘A’ championship semi-final in St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, on a 0-10 to 0-8 scoreline.
MAJOR MINOR TEST: In a portent of things to come, the Wexford Minor hurlers were pushed all the way by a game Westmeath side in Bellefield before qualifying for the Leinster league decider with a seven-point margin (1-17 to 1-10).
Two months later, the midlanders caused a sensation in Innovate Wexford Park when they won the re-match in the championship quarter-final by 2-11 to 0-15.
MURRAY THE MASTER: Ryan Murray of Bree A.C. ran the race of his life in the Under-18 boys’ 200m final at the national indoor championships in Athlone, crossing the line in first place with a new personal best time.
He had earlier claimed silver in the hurdles, despite hitting the second obstacle in the early stages, and it capped a month to remember for Ryan as he had taken the national 60m title on the previous weekend.
ON THE RUN IN POLAND: Two Wexford athletes donned the green of Ireland to compete in the European Masters indoor championships in Torun, Poland.
Jackie Carthy (Kilmore) put in the race of her life with a P.B. of 4.49 for the 1,500m, finishing just outside the medals in fourth.
Niall Sheil (St. Killian’s) carried a chest infection into the Over-35 1,500m final but still finished a respectable seventh.
DONNING THE GREEN: Three Wexford players featured in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-1 victory over Wales in the Schools Centenary Shield soccer game played in Ferrycarrig Park.
Gorey Community School duo Corey Chambers and Paul Murphy played prominent roles in goal and at centre-half respectively, while Wexford Vocational School’s Ethan Boyle - currently with Linfield in the Irish League - had a solid opening half in midfield.
LEVO’S KEY ROLE: Gorey lad Conor Levingston played an important part as the Republic of Ireland Under-17 soccer side qualified for the UEFA championships, despite a 1-0 loss to Poland in their last elite phase game.
Results elsewhere meant that the boys in green finished second in the group which was played from Saturday through to Thursday, with the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder introduced from the bench twice.
MONKSGRANGE MEET: There were wins for local riders Harley Dunne and Rob James at the Bree Foxhounds meeting at Monksgrange, Rathnure, brought the south-east point-to-point season to a close in blustery conditions.
POLOCROSSE PICKS: Horetown Polocrosse Club officials had pleasure in announcing that three of their members - Aidan McDonagh, Conor Doyle and Emily McDonagh - were selected to represent Ireland at the World Cup in South Africa.