Joy for Juveniles
Kilkenny defeated in Leinster final
WEXFORD JUVENILES continued on an upward curve on Friday in New Ross when they defeated Kilkenny in the boys’ Under-14/ Under-15 team of six Leinster final after a very close-fought game that had plenty of endeavour and enthusiasm from both sets of players.
It is a pity that this competition isn’t better supported from the other counties in Leinster who obviously struggle to field teams.
Although a topic for another day, it might be worth considering two or three counties joining forces as a regional or divisional team as the format for the existing counties provides a great platform in terms of development for Juveniles who don’t win either singles or doubles in the Leinster championship just finished.
Anyway, it was Tommy Connors and Davy Doyle, the Coolgreany/ Castlebridge partnership, that kick-started the Wexford challenge as they squared up to Tom Holden and Adam O’Shea.
The Wexford boys were handsome 15-6 winners in the opening game and looked set to give their team-mates a huge advantage, only to fluff their lines slightly in the second game, losing it 12-15. That left Wexford ahead by six aces moving into the second doubles.
Joe Devereux (Castlebridge) and Conor Murphy (Taghmon) were pitted against Jamie Maher and Jay Maguire, and a tough battle ensued with tremendous effort on both sides.
It was nip and tuck for long stages before the Kilkenny pair edged home 15-14, 15-13 after excellent play throughout. Wexford held a slender three-ace lead (54-51) at this point and it was all to fight for in the last doubles which saw Conor Dobbs (St. Joseph’s) and Michael Sheil (Bridgetown) up against Seán Barron and Killian Lawrence for the black and amber.
It was very close to call beforehand and so it proved when the action began. One suspects the small lead was a help to Wexford as they got the better start.
Kilkenny seemed to wilt slightly under pressure as they were now chasing the game. Conor and Michael were steady 15-10 winners in the first game, and that gave them the impetus to stick to the task in the second, knowing they hadn’t aces to claw back.
They played admirably well considering their inexperience at provincial level and stayed on strongly to win the second game 15-12, and with it the title for their team.
In so far as this observer can gather, it was the very first time both Michael and Conor have been on county duty which makes their performance all the more meritorious.
Well done to all the boys and substitute Liam Winters who will no doubt go back training now and give it a good go for the All-Ireland series on Saturday, October 21, at a venue to be decided. Special mention to team mentors Pádraig Devereux and John Roche who had been quietly preparing the boys for their final.
Unfortunately, the Wexford boys’ Under-12/13 team of six had different fortunes in Garryhill on Friday against Kilkenny. The boys faced into a mighty challenge, taking on the hot favourites for All-Ireland glory.
First up for Wexford, the Taghmon/Coolgreany pairing of Bobby Doyle and Conor Horan faced off against the highly-talented Kyle Jordan and Ronan O’Brien.
The Wexford boys certainly put up a challenge to the Kilkenny duo and fought as hard as they could, but they just couldn’t put marks on the board when they had their serves. Kilkenny took the first doubles game 15-4, 15-2.
Up next for Wexford was St. Joseph’s boy Johnny Goggins and Coolgreany’s Mylie Connors against Harry Delaney and David Holden. Again, the Kilkenny pairing showed a different level skill and movement around the court at the important times, finishing the game out on a scoreline of 15-2, 15-2.
This result confirmed the 60 x 30 Leinster team of six title was heading back up to Kilkenny.
This didn’t dishearten the next Wexford pairing of St. Mary’s player Shane Kehoe and Coolgreany boy John Connors, who is the younger brother of Mylie and also Tommy (Under-14/15 team).
The boys wanted to put more scores on the board and they battled in the first game but unfortunately lost 15-8. The Wexford pairing teamed up earlier in the 60 x 30 campaign and clinched the boys’ Under-12 Leinster doubles title in impressive style.
They were determined to show the eye-catching handball they can play and the Wexford boys dug dip and produced fine skills and with hearts of lions went on to secure our only win of the night, 15-6, defeating Kikenny boys Conor Holden and Michael Brennan.
Next Sunday, October 15, sees the curtain come down on the 60 x 30 Juvenile singles and doubles All-Ireland championships when Wexford will compete for seven of the 16 titles up for grabs.
We have been given home advantage with all Wexford games being played in Castlebridge. The start time is 11 a.m. so why not come over and support our boys and girls and witness some of the finest young handball talents Wexford and Ireland have to offer? A report will follow next week.