Thirteen gold medals claimed at national finals

WEXFORD COMMUNITY Games got the 2010 national finals off to a great start when they competed with considerable success in Athlone Institute of Technology.

The county was to the forefront in most of the activities, and the final impressive haul for the weekend was 13 gold, 19 silver, one bronze, and 18 medallions.

One of the finest displays came from the Bree/Davidstown girls in the Under-15 indoor soccer competition, with their never-say-die spirit encapsulated in a thrilling finish to the semi-final.

With three minutes left they trailed Fanad from Donegal 2-0, but Shonagh Spratt-Murphy pulled a goal back before Mary Tyrrell equalised to bring the game to extra-time.

And just when it looked like penalties would be required, Spratt-Murphy stepped up at the death once more to seal a dramatic 3-2 success, earning a place in the decider against Bruff from Limerick in the process.

This was a more straightforward affair entirely, with Bree/Davidstown assuming control from the off and never looking to be in any danger.

The prolific Shonagh Spratt-Murphy had a hat-trick to her name before half-time, with Ciara McKelvie also on target as the Wexford and Leinster champions surged 4-1 clear.

It was Mary Tyrrell’s turn to rattle the net three times in the second period, leaving Bree/Davidstown with a healthy six goals to spare.

As well as the goalscorers, coach and manager Tom Murphy had Niamh Cloke-Rochford, Annie Stafford, Johanna Wickham, Shauna Dunne and Derval McCabe on his squad.