DAVIDSTOWN DELIVER
Unior ‘B’ honours after hard-fought battle
STOWN-C’CUDDY KWATER
O’SHEA was quick off the r Davidstown-Courtnacuddy pening quarter of the ladies’ Junior ‘B’ championship final t. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, uick moves in the forward line secure the first point before the ward on view, Lauren Sinnott, around Blackwater’s Marie o find the top of the net. superb goal from Sinnott her side four points clear and rge didn’t end there. Sinnott up with another two points rie Power added her name to esheet with a point too. water needed an answer and ded one fast. Hope did emerge reen and gold ladies, however, ch-needed goal was delivered Molloy and this immediately them back into contention. Berry claimed a point before did likewise for the opposition. ne of scores was experienced sides before Grace Mernagh he point of the match with her high kick. With three points between them at the break, the game was anyone’s for the taking in the second-half.
Emma Berry brought the gap down to two points, but Davidstown-Courtnacuddy’s Carrie Power secured a fabulous point in reply.
A breakthrough came from Julia Molloy in the fifth minute of the half when her determined solo run saw her break through the red and yellow defence and claim an incredible goal. The sides were now level for the first time.
Aisling Berry’s goal shot was saved by Chloe Power but went over the bar to leave Blackwater ahead for the first time.
Proceedings were level again, however, as Sinnott raised the white flag, and Grace Mernagh added to her team-mate’s effort by capitalising on a dead-ball.
Some wides didn’t help Blackwater’s cause at this stage and, with tensions getting very high, a lingering ball from Davidstown-Courtnacuddy fell into the path of Carrie Power who palmed it the ball to the net and her side had a new lease of life.
With Julia Molloy sent-off with ten minutes remaining, Blackwater had no one accurate enough to make the most of critical balls. Maura Molloy and Yvonne Power did score a point each, however, leaving two between the sides with seconds remaining.
The clock ticked by and Davidstown-Courtnacuddy managed to hold onto their deserving lead, leaving them the victors of the Junior ‘B’ ladies football championship for 2017.
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy: Chloe Power; Ellie Jevens, Sarah Martin, Ceona Dunne; Coley Furlong, Blathnaid Watters, Mairéad Crean; Annalise Crean, Eimear O’Shea (0-3); Jade Power, Carrie Power (1-1), Elaine Keane; Lauren Sinnott (1-2, 0-1 free), Kelley Doyle, Grace Mernagh (0-2). Sub. - Holly Kelly for Jevens.
Blackwater: Marie Sutton; Isobel Carroll, Niamh O’Brien, Erin Fikentscher; Lucy Purcell, Katie Lillis, Yvonne Power (0-1); Andrea Power, Caitríona Roche; Emma Berry (0-1), Katie McGuinness, Maura Molloy (0-1); Julia Molloy (2-1), Aisling Berry (0-2), Hannah Carroll. Subs. - Aisling Byrne for H. Carroll, Aisling Kelly for Purcell, Bernice Murphy for I. Carroll.
Referee: Billy Dodd (Sarsfields). THE pitfalls of delegating responsibilities cannot be lost on Wexford G.A.A.
When a person enters office they must assume control, be responsible as to delegation of powers, but at the same time never losing sight of who holds the responsibility should a crisis erupt, or should there be a celebration of a historic event.
When one turns to Wexford G.A.A., like every other county board throughout the land, it is made up of sub-committees chaired by individuals, but it is the county chairman who still rules; producing a system that he continually oversees and take responsibility for at the end of the day.
It’s sound to have sub-committees but they should not be given plenary powers, for this solely rests with the county chairman and his management committee.
It would be stretching it to suggest that the county chairman should be at every event, every game from under-age to adult, but he should have in place people he can trust to abide by the rules, and carry out their roles responsibly, which is of course what one would expect of a person handed a key role whether it be committees or charge of county squads and teams.
It was quite surreal to hear of an incident that has not alone brought Wexford G.A.A. into disrepute with the Association at national level, but has led to much unease and unrest within the Association in the county, leaving county officers red faced and embarrassed at what occurred.
One is referring to an incident at a national competition, one of the most prestigious under-age tournaments in the country, where Wexford’s handling of their squad is now under investigation and could lead to serious consequences for the County Board in the Model county.
But in truth, what did occur is not alone bizarre but quite serious, and must be an unwanted first not just for Wexford G.A.A. but for the Association as a whole.
Wexford have a record of rigidly abiding by the rules no matter what the competition is so this defining moment has to be taken in isolation.
Apparently, Wexford had a player sent off in an early round game but went on to include the player in later rounds.
To say that Wexford G.A.A. is unhappy with the development would be diminishing the seriousness of the offence which is now under investigation both at county level, with Croke Park also having an interest as the tournament, which has national status, is run under the guise of Croke Park.
But one would have to say this is a superbly run tournament which gathers the support of all the leading hurling counties each year and is a most prestigious tournament to win.
The body language is that Wexford G.A.A. are fuming at the embarrassment brought on the county, while the player’s club is eager to have the name of their player cleared given his young age and no doubt lack of understanding of the rules.
You would like to think that the young player would be exonerated, but the G.A.A. are expected to come down heavily on those responsible for the team, with possible heavy suspensions and fines being handed down.
But the Wexford G.A.A. management committee should not escape unscathed, for they are solely responsible for the actions of their members, whether they be players or team mentors.
Having expressed my opinion at the lack of recognition for the county’s Junior clubs, it was heartening to see this taken on board with all Junior football teams included in the programme last weekend.
But one alarming aspect came further to light with the information provided that the county does not provide official linesmen for Junior championship games in hurling or football which is somewhat startling to say the least.
Apparently, Junior games will only have official linesmen if games are played with a higher grade fixture with the same linesmen operating for both.
So on Sunday last ,one witnessed two Junior football championship games played without any linesmen.
It will be interesting to see if linesmen will be provided for the county Junior finals.
Then again, anything is possible with Wexford G.A.A.