NEWS IN BRIEF
FOCUS FROM FORDE: A larger than usual field of athletes turned out to compete in the Mr Oil Senior county road race championships in Enniscorthy on May 15, 2015.
And Ger Forde, newly-transferred from Rathfarnham to Slaney Olympic, marked his return to home soil with an impressive gold medal-winning performance in the men’s race.
Myles Gibbons of S.B.R. claimed the silver medal, with the experienced Niall Sheil (St. Killian’s) collecting bronze.
Jackie Carthy of Kilmore was the leading lady, with Ciara Wilson of D.M.P. in second place, and another Kilmore athlete, Annaleigh Hore, third.
S.B.R. captured both team titles, with Slaney Olympic second in the two events.
UP AND RUNNING: Saturday, May 16, was a memorable day for the athletics community in the county, as the Enniscorthy Sports Hub was officially opened, with the ribbon cut by John Treacy, C.E.O. of the Irish Sports Council, and Cllr. Barbara Anne Murphy, Chairperson of Enniscorthy Municipal District.
SEVENS SUCCESS: St. Patrick’s Park in Enniscorthy was a real hive of activity for the annual Allianz Rackard League mini-sevens finals.
Ballymurn blitzed Rathangan with four second-half goals to win their first boys’ football title, while Horeswood overcame Kiltealy in the girls’ equivalent.
However, the Ross District side’s bid for a double was denied by Oulart in the camogie final, while the Horeswood hurlers also missed out, as Ballymurn added another title for the first time and completed their own superb double in the process.
JOE’S FINE SHOW: The selection of former Enniscorthy flanker Joe McSwiney as ‘Irish Independent’ sportstar of the week crowned a magical period for Lansdowne Rugby Club.
He was man of the match in the Dublin side’s thrilling AIL Division 1A final win over holders Clontarf in the Aviva Stadium, and he was joined on the successful side by Stephen Gardiner, formerly of Gorey.
TOP TAGHMON TRIO: The Taghmon club enjoyed a clean sweep at the annual Wexford badminton awards night held in the Horse and Hound, Ballinaboola.
Brandon Cogley won the men’s category, while the ladies’ crown was shared by Clodagh Dempsey and Clodagh Dunne respectively.
Three players apiece were nominated for the two awards, with Helen Shalloe (Shelburne), Philip Walsh (Taghmon) and Ryan Cogley (Taghmon) also shortlisted.
RYAN ON A HIGH: Adamstown athlete Ryan Carthy-Walsh demonstrated composure, skill and outstanding talent in the high jump to achieve the qualification standard, set by Athletics Ireland, for the European Youth Olympic Festival in Tblisi, Georgia.
Representing Good Counsel College (New Ross) at the Leinster schools track and field championships in Morton Stadium, Santry, he took a leap of two metres three centimetres in the Intermediate event.
His coaching team of Marie Mooney, Nicky Cowman and Bríd Golden were over the moon after such a fine showing.