Mary’s CBS rejoice at first-ever soccer title
Enniscorthy C.B.S. break new ground
THE ENNISCORTHY C.B.S. Under-17s landed their first soccer title for the school when they overcame a very good Wexford C.B.S. side in a very tense league final played in Curracloe.
It’s not often that two Wexford schools contest a final, and it was fitting that these two great rivals served up such an enthralling game of football.
The early exchanges were very even, with both sides battling for supremacy in the middle of the park and Enniscorthy looking the more likely to break the deadlock.
However, the first real chance fell to Wexford after 20 minutes. A free-kick from the right was met by centre-half Reece Murphy, and his header was smartly saved by Seán Maher in the Enniscorthy goal.
Minutes later at the other end, a free-kick from Lee Jordan sailed just over the Wexford crossbar. The last chance of a keenly-fought first-half fell to Cian Hanley, who headed just wide from Noel Rowsome’s dangerous free-kick.
Both defences were very well organised and playing with a lot of confidence, hence very few opportunities being created from open play.
This remained the pattern for the first ten minutes of the second-half. Enniscorthy then began to get their passing game together which had Wexford on the back foot.
The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes with a real piece of quality football. A great run from Cian Hanley found the ever-dangerous Brody Murphy on the left with a perfectly-weighted pass.
He skipped past the full-back and pulled the ball back from the end line for Cian, who had continued his run, to smash home from just inside the box.
It was always going to take a move of quality to breach the Wexford defence and it was a goal which gave the ‘keeper no chance
Wexford upped their game in pursuit of an equaliser but found the Enniscorthy back four of Craig Peare, Danny Bruce, Eanna Doyle and Noel Rowsome very resolute and confident in their defending.
Behind them, ‘keeper Seán Maher dealt comfortably with anything that came his way. Enniscorthy always looked dangerous on the counter, with Kieran Murphy and Brody Murphy almost doubling their lead.
With the clock ticking down, Wexford almost snatched an equaliser. A cross from Cian Foley just eluded the inrushing Reece Murphy who was very unlucky not to make contact, much to the relief of the Enniscorthy players, mentors and supporters.
The final whistle sounded shortly afterwards to end an epic encounter between two very well-matched teams.
The Michael Enright Memorial Cup was then presented to the winning captain, Danny Bruce, amid joyous scenes of celebration among the Enniscorthy players, teachers and supporters.
Enniscorthy C.B.S.: Seán Maher, Craig Peare, Noel Rowsome, Danny Bruce (capt.), Eanna Doyle, Paudie Casey, Cian Hanley, Michael Delaney, Kieran Murphy, Lee Jordan, Brody Murphy. Reserves: Bartlomeij Walkowiak, Josh Waldron, Darragh Breen, Cathal Roche, Michael McGrath. Teachers in charge: Shane Murphy, Lisa Burke.
Wexford C.B.S.: Noel Heffernan, Gary Holt-Roche, Jack Byrne, Reece Murphy (capt.), Kyle Scallan, Liam Godkin, Evan Farrell, Cian Foley, Josh Sheil, Ciarán Carty, Jamie Dawson. Teacher in charge: Pádraig Whitty.