Towns Cup to start Sunday
THE 92nd Leinster Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup will kick off at Park Lane on January 29 when Wexford Wanderers host Naas.
The competition, which is once again sponsored by Bank of Ireland for a fourth season, is the prestige event for all rural clubs in Leinster and with good reason.
The competition in its current guise has been in existence since 1926.
However, it was preceded by the Leinster Junior Challenge Cup which was first contested in 1889.
Wexford Wanderers have made the final on five occasions, in 1930, 1933, 1941, 1960 and 1966.
The only occasion Wanderers won the Cup was in 1930, a year after the club’s formation when the side captained by Tom Walsh defeated Athy on a scoreline of 6-3 in the decider.
Speaking at the presentation of the match ball with local Manager Andrew Owen, at the Bank of Ireland branch at Custom House Quay, Wexford Wanderers club President Brian McGonagle highlighted the ongoing support of Bank of Ireland to Leinster Rugby both at the prestige club level with the Leinster Senior team competing on the European stage in the Champions Cup and Pro 12 competitions, and also in local communities such as Wexford who benefit from the association through the Provincial Towns Cup and other initiatives.
Wexford Wanderers club captain Aidan Stewart noted that for many Junior rugby players in the province the prospect of being part of a team competing in the Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup was the highlight of their rugby playing careers.
The game at Park Lane will kick off at 2.30 p.m. and Wanderers will relish the chance of a crack at one of the larger clubs in the competition.
Wexford 34, New Ross 7: The Wexford Wanderers second XV travelled to Southknock on Sunday in the first act of a double-header fixture against New Ross.
Wanderers came into the game on a run of good form following solid wins over Gorey and Kilkenny after the Christmas break.
The game started with Wanderers getting the best of the early running, and they were rewarded in the tenth minute when out-half Waters slotted over a penalty.
Wanderers continued to press the New Ross back line and on the half-hour mark Willie Morris crashed across the line after sustained pressure by the forwards. Unfortunately, the conversion drifted wide.
New Ross responded with a strong attack in the closing minutes of the half but the Wexford defence held firm and the scoreline at the break was 8-0.
In the second period Wexford stretched their lead through man of the match Richie Waters with tries in the 50th and 55th minutes to increase the scoreline to 20-0.
Despite a rigorous defensive effort by the Wexford men, New Ross responded with a try through number 8 Mick Curtis ten minutes later to reduce the lead.
However, following a great kick through from Vickery, Callum Murphy sped away to recycle the ball and allow the ensuing off-load to captain Richards to score.
From the re-start Wexford again moved the ball quickly and after some grinding forward play Willie Morris crossed for the final score of the contest to leave a scoreline of 34-7 in Wexford’s favour.
Of course, the key factor in this is that in a fortnight’s time (February 5) both teams will have to do it all over again at the same venue in the Provincial Seconds Towns Cup opening round.
The win firmly places Wanderers in second place in the league with just one round of fixtures remaining, so the visit of thirdplaced Enniscorthy to Park Lane on February 18 will determine their fate.
In league terms it will be an interesting contest to see if Wanderers can take a hat-trick of derby wins.
Meanwhile, the date for the club annual dinner dance in the Talbot Hotel has been announced as March 17 which will give rugby supporters an added reason to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
For further information in relation to upcoming fixtures and events, follow the club on Facebook and Twitter or sign up to our weekly newsletter. CAMPILE’S TADHG Furlong has been included in the Ireland 40man squad for their opening Six Nations games with Scotland and Italy.
Furlong’s career has taken a dramatic leap this season, following his inclusion on the Irish team for that historic victory over New Zealand in Chicago on the back of a string of hugely impressive outings with Leinster.
He was also a part of the success over Australia, and subsequent IT HAS been another very good week for local runners, and it started at Shelbourne Park on Thursday in race nine, the Deal of the Month A3/4 stake final, when we saw a one-two.
The Marie and Patrick Whelan (Enniscorthy)-owned Hungerofthepine benefited greatly from the previous week’s first run around the circuit. After a poor start with a split of only 2.36, she did well to qualify on that occasion, and she made no mistake this time in the final as she trapped very well to split 2.01.
It made a massive difference as she went on to hold Seagrave Jack all the way to the line in a good time of 28.82, her sixth race win from only 14th start.
Race eleven went to owner George Roche (Barntown) so one could say it was quick consolation for the earlier defeat of Seagrave Jack when his Strictly Buster broke well and split 1.99. That saw him go on to score well in a time of 28.97.
At Kilkenny on Friday there was a very impressive win for owner Raymond Sullivan (Carrigbyrne) when his Tycoon Rita took race four by no less than eight and a half lengths, coming from behind to leave her field trailing to record her first win in only her fifth start in a very fast time of 28.79, an excellent run at that venue.
The Greyhound Shop A3/4 Guys and Dolls stake semi-finals were run at Clonmel on Friday, and the Vincent Morris (Rosslare Harbour)-trained Tanami Sand was a very good winner of the first semi when she took up the running at the third bend before going away for an impressive win by five and a half lengths in a good 29.01.
This week’s final will see owners the Kilmore six syndicate have a good night out as Tanami is sure to give it her best. She has now recorded seven race wins and is proving a very consistent and tough sort, and the €2,000 first prize would be a very nice start to the new season.
Staying at Clonmel, the Red Mills unraced stake is in full swing on Sunday nights and the Jacqueline McCann (Glenbrien)-trained loss to New Zealand in the home autumn internationals.
Furlong has also become first choice tight head for Leo Cullen’s Leinster team, which has qualified for the European Champions Cup quarter-finals. They played a draw away to Castres on Friday.
While much will depend on the Six Nations campaign, Furlong has emerged as a front runner for the Lions squad to tour New Zealand this summer should he remain free of injury. Janfield Poppy is going along nicely, having won both of her heats thus far, recording 29.16 and 29.13 respectively.
She lines up in the semi-finals on Sunday night in a bid to reach the decider for the €7,000 first prize, and her good early pace could prove very helpful in this quest.
Saturday was also very productive back up at Shelbourne Park for owners Patrick Gordon (Enniscorthy) and Laurence A. Byrne (Gorey) who enjoyed a fine win in race eight, heat four of the €25,000 Gold Cup round one.
Their Alien Jet put up an excellent run after not getting the quickest of starts.
He moved up the inside at the first bend to force his way to the lead and open up a nice advantage before having to hold off the strong finish of Killashill Jack by a head in a fast 28.40. The second round continues next Saturday night.
At Waterford plenty of winners were seen during the week. There was a good Toker double for owners Philip and Graham Lynch (New Ross).
Race three saw Toker Carly show the way from the first bend to score well by three lengths in a fast 28.85, while in race eight Toker Rio took control off the second bend to race away for an easy five-length win in a time of 29.12.
Barntown trainer Nick Turner also had a good night, scoring on the double. In race eight Coco Magic took up the running by the third bend to go on to score snugly by two and a half lengths in a time of 29.13. Coco now has two wins and two seconds from four starts and is improving nicely.
Turner’s second win came in the last race when Dipton Chase, always up with the pace, came through in the end to get the better of Tagalong Hawkeye by half a length in 29.07.
Another Barntown handler, Eamon Moore, got a good win for Wexford town owner Gary Murphy who saw his Glenbrook View go to the lead by the third bend before going on to beat Tycoon Prince by two and a half lengths in a good 28.90 in race nine.
Cork is the last stop this week and Enniscorthy owner Aidan Denton had a nice win when his Kereight Niamh did very well to take race three over the 550 course.
Having her first run around the circuit, she got up in the closing stages to grab the money by a neck in a time of 30.33 to complete an excellent week of racing.