CLUB CALL
GOREY HOCKEY
Gorey met Avoca in Enniscorthy on Saturday, one of only a few games that went ahead last weekend, due to the freezing conditions.
Gorey took push back but Avoca intercepted and made a break up the right wing. Avoca entered the circle, taking a shot.
Gorey’s ‘keeper, Fiona Mythen, made a skilful save, with her stick deflecting out wide for a long corner to Avoca.
Gorey’s defence of Vicky Hughes, Bridget Kenny, Ruth Evans and Corinna Bailey ensured Avoca didn’t get any return from the free.
Nicola Ryan took a line ball for Gorey, and won the first penalty corner. Robyn Swords pushed the ball out to Sarah Merrigan who flicked it to Nicola Ryan, and she in turn found Ailbhe Booth.
Zoe Kenny was at the post to convert from Ailbhe’s shot for an early lead.
From the re-start, Avoca lost possession when Corrina Bailey made an important tackle, passing inside to Robyn Swords up field who found Ailbhe Booth.
Ailbhe took aim and buried the ball in the left corner, doubling Gorey’s lead (2-0).
Moments later, winger Muireann Deegan was unlucky not to score when she hit the post.
A free out to Avoca was awarded, but midfielder Ailbhe Booth won possession and travelled towards goal. Muireann Deegan made no mistake this time, scoring Gorey’s third.
Avoca re-started once more, advancing into Gorey’s half. Avoca’s pressure paid off when they were rewarded with a penalty corner on the stroke of half-time which they scored (3-1).
The second-half saw Gorey make some changes in the front and back lines, with Odile Evans and Sabhdh Corcoran coming on to try to break Avoca down.
The teams fought it out but there was no change to the scoreline, with Gorey running out winners to give them three more points.
Gorey now draw level on points with Genesis at the top of the league table.
Next up for Gorey is another league clash with Muckross on Saturday, February 9.
Team: Fiona Mythen (capt.), Vicky Hughes, Bridget Kenny, Ruth Evans, Corrina Bailey, Nicola Ryan, Ailbhe Booth (1), Robyn Swords, Zoe Kenny (1),Sarah Merrigan, Muireann Deegan (1), Sabhdh Corcoran, Odile Evans.
SLANEY OLYMPIC A.C.
Club members Jim Stafford, David Barron, Billy Reck and David Kehoe had a fantastic result at the cross-country on Sunday in Dundalk, winning a club team All-Ireland silver and county team bronze.
A total of 22 Slaney members headed to Dungarvan on Sunday for the John Tracey 10 mile, and they were met with mild but windy running conditions.
First clubman home was Enda Cloake who excelled in a time of 55:15 and finished 20th overall in a field of over 3,000. First club lady home was Helena Browne in 1:21:38.
Other results: Will Doyle 1:00:30, Jessie O’Connor 1:01:08, John Roban 1:03:33, John Brennan 1:06:25, Patrick Codd 1:06:45, Bobby Redmond 1:10:18, Maurice Donohoe 1:11:27, Brian Murphy 1:11:30, Michael Quigley 1:11:30, Paul Murphy 1:19:18, Sabina Sweeney 1:21:39, Ciara Kearney 1:24:00, Maura Neville 1:24:27, Fintan Kinsella 1:24:44, Marie Kinsella 1:30:03, Tracey Kavanagh 1:34:28, Annis Kehoe 1:37:59, Paddy Tull 1:41:02, Karen Tull 1:41:11, Mary Nolan 1:57:17.
Four Slaney members travelled to Trim on Sunday. Noel Kelly was first clubman home in 1:21:15.
Other results: Eric Derr 1:26:46, Andy Staff 1:28:47 P.B., Angus Rothwell 1:51:23.
A husband and wife duo were out in force at the Johnstown Parkrun on Saturday.
Results: Andy Staff 27:11, Michelle Doyle 40:15.
Well done everyone! The Enniscorthy 10k is on Sunday, February 10, at 12 noon.
The winter league continues on the track on February 14 with a two-mile race. Go Slaney go!
S.B.R. A.C.
Ten miles was the distance of choice for S.B.R. athletes last weekend.
The club was well represented at the John Tracey 10 mile in west Waterford on Sunday, with some great individual results including two top 50 finishers and a four-minute plus P.B.
Results: Myles Gibbons 57:15, Paul Lynch 57:52, Niall O’Connor 63:25, Raymond Byrne 71:04, Noel Kennedy 71:06, Ryan Gleeson 72:01, Belinda Keogh 77:17, Pat O’Neill 78:01, Claire Gibbons 84:48.
Patrick Curley was the sole club member to travel northward to what is becoming known as a very fast, flat route in Trim. He finished in 33rd position in 59:20.
Tomás Kavanagh was second finisher in the Gorey Parkrun in 17:56. Emma Morris had a great run to be second lady home in 23:59.
The first round of the team winter league kicked off in fine fashion on a chilly Wednesday night in Ferns over the one-mile distance.
The new format has certainly captured everyone’s interest, leading to 36 competitors taking part in near zero temperatures. Individual results are available on the club website, with teams list below.
There is not much between the teams, and it’s all still up for grabs!
Table: 1, Paul Gibbon’s team, 44 points; 2, Denis Moynihan’s team, 48 points; 3, Myles Gibbon’s team, 50 points; 4, Niall O’Connor’s team, 51 points; 5, Paul Lynch’s team, 55 points; 6, Noel Kennedy’s team, 59 points.
The league continues next Wednesday at 7.15 p.m. over two miles.
E’CORTHY HOCKEY
Enniscorthy Hockey Club’s ladies’ first eleven’s drive for league honours will have to wait a little longer as a frozen pitch in Clontarf forced a postponement on Saturday.
Despite a great start for Donal Doyle’s first men’s side, Enniscorthy were beaten by a resilient visiting Rathgar team.
An early blitz with goals from Charlie Dunne and Jason Rothwell caught the Dubliners off guard. The visitors worked their way back into contention, as they themselves put pressure on the Wexford side’s defence.
They earned themselves a brace of penalty flicks to draw it level coming towards half-time. Just before half-time the ever-present Simmons in defence was forced off as a raised ball struck the defender’s face from a deflection off a Rathgar stick. Thankfully, he was able to return to aid his side early in the second-half.
Fifteen minutes into the second-half, after some end-to-end action with both sides producing some beautiful hockey, Rathgar took the lead but just momentarily as the Slaneysiders drew it all square, through Dunne, with his second of the game.
With ten minutes to go Rathgar took the lead once again. Despite Enniscorthy’s best efforts, with huge performances from the Durnan brothers, they were unable to draw it back level before the final whistle.
Enniscorthy’s first team can draw great positives from this game as they look forward to a busy weekend, as they take on local rivals Wicklow on Saturday and Dublin side Railway Union on Sunday.
Squad: Graham Hill, Ivan Rothwell, David Simmons, Glenn Chapman, Andrew Rothwell, Roy Chapman, Seb Rynhart, William Durnan, Aodán O’Leary, Charlie Dunne, Cian Hogan, Jason Rothwell, Leo Durnan. Coach: Dónal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
There was better news for the ladies’ second eleven on Saturday as an Olive Lett goal helped beat Skerries 1-0 at the Astro Active Centre, a result that sees the side climb up to second in Division 12.
Squad: Alice Medcalf, Aine O’Brien, Eleanor Bolger, Amy D’Alton, Muireann Nic Corcráin, Megan Dempsey, Ciara Parnell, Ciara Yates, Hannah Neville, Mairéad Neville, Eimear Doyle, Olive Lett.
In men’s Division 6, Enniscorthy’s second team are leading the pack chasing table-toppers Railway Union after a 2-1 home win over Weston.
James O’Sullivan opened the scoring before a Weston reply, and then a Graeme Chapman effort with eleven minutes remaining secured the win, with the result dropping Weston to third.
Squad: Glen Rothwell, Jack Doran, Mick Jordan, Robin Doyle, David Mulligan, Jason Rothwell, Cian Hogan, Eamonn Sweeney, Shay O’Leary, Robbie Walshe, James O’Sullivan, Graeme Chapman, Mark Ennett, Roy Chapman, William Durnan, Leo Durnan.
Meanwhile, it was a local derby at the Astro Active Centre on Sunday as Enniscorthy’s ladies’ thirds took on Wexford’s second eleven in the Sunday League Cup.
Melanie Ní Dhuinn opened the scoring on 16 minutes for Enniscorthy, and Lisa Frayne’s goal seven minutes from time saw the thirds advance to the next round.
Squad: Alice Medcalf, Irene Doyle, Hayley Squire, Catherine Oakes, Brigid Kehoe, Serena Hatton, Mairéad Neville, Linda Durnan, Melanie Ní Dhuinn, Jane Peppard, Keira Warren, Lisa Frayne.
KUNG FU, KICKBOXING
The members of the Wexford Kung Fu and Kickboxing Centre got 2019 off to a winning start last week at the new year open kickboxing tournament.
Held in City West sports stadium, Dublin, this is one of the biggest tournaments on the Kickboxing Ireland calendar.
The Lau Gar fighters took no fewer than five gold, four silver and three bronze medals from this prestigious event. A mixture of new talent and seasoned competitors all had to work hard to reach the medal stages, with a record-breaking attendance present.
As several of the Wexford team have their sights on qualifying for the W.K.C. world championships in Niagara Falls later in the year, this was a good indication of form.
The team travel to U.C.D. for their next competitive outing before the first national qualifying rounds start in March.
The club trains in Image Health Studios, Westpoint, Wexford, and new members of all ages are always welcome.
As kickboxing has recently gained Olympic status, efforts to promote the sport for future generations have intensified in Ireland and, as part of this programme, the club is starting a new ‘family class’ to encourage participation from a young age with the support of older family members.
This new class will start on February 23 in the club premises.