Shamrock Rovers the only new champs crowned

IT WAS supposed to be a day of champions but only Shamrock Rovers got over the line in the Wexford and District Schoolboys Soccer Leagues on Saturday. Several sides were positive results away from securing titles but just the Enniscorthy club succeeded.

Needing a win to force a playoff against Fethard last week, they achieved it in style with a 4-0 success.

However, the play-off in Sinnottstown Lane proved to be a different tie entirely, with the Peter Quinn Park boys requiring a penalty shoot-out to edge them past the gallant cup finalists.

It was a day of drama in the Under-12 leagues. In Division 1, New Ross Town just needed to avoid defeat against Gorey Rangers to take the title but the Ramstown boys produced the goods when they needed it, winning 2-1 to send the championship to a play-off.

A play-off looks highly likely in Division 1A too where Gorey Celtic lumped the pressure firmly on New Ross Celtic with a 3-0 win against Duncannon.

New Ross had a surprising loss to Courtown just one day earlier, opening the door to Gorey, and they pushed right through.

New Ross played Wexford Celtic last night (Monday) where a win would have left them tied with Gorey, which would mean a play-off was necessary.

On the same evening Glynn Barntown were looking for the win that would tie them with Fastnet Rovers in Division 2.

The Rathangan-based side have been on a real tear of late, wrapping up the season with tough victory after tough victory to set the target at the top. Leap-frogging half the table, the worst they secured themselves was a play-off when they beat Oylegate on Thursday.

At least Division 2A was going to end on Saturday, wasn’t it? Curracloe United didn’t follow that script when they travelled to Bunclody and nabbed the 1-0 win that secures at least another shot in a play-off.

Bunclody needed to beat Ballymurn last night (Monday) to secure that one-game decider.

In Under-13 Division 1, Wexford Albion registered a 0-0 draw against Wexford Celtic that knocked their neighbours out of the title race.

However, All Blacks then beat the Sinnottstown Lane crew at the weekend and can win the league if they repeat the feat tomorrow evening.

Meanwhile, in Division 2A Oylegate needed a victory to leap-frog Shelburne in the table and take the title when they faced Killenagh Wanderers last night. A draw would have left the top two tied with another play-off required to separate the teams.

Gorey Rangers and North End United both picked up victories in Under-14 Division 1 last week. The sides must now play each other in the final game of the season; the Wexford town side must win to take the silverware while a draw is enough for current table-toppers Rangers.

Finally, the Schoolboys Cup finals begin this week. On Friday in Hollygrove, Gorey Rangers face Forth Celtic in the Under-16 final (7 p.m.).

Then on Saturday, in Bunclody, North End face Cloughbawn in the Under-11 final at 3 p.m. and St. Joseph’s in the Under-14 decider at 4.30 p.m.