Celebration time for Ballagh
Win sees United crowned U-13 Division 4 champions
BALLAGH United are the Wexford and District Under-13 Division 4 champions after beating New Ross Town ‘C’ to cement the crown last weekend.
Going into the game, they needed just a point to ensure they could no longer be caught but they nabbed all three with a performance worthy of title winners.
It was the culmination of a lot of hard work for United, with their schoolboys section making huge strides in the last few years.
In this 5-0 win Frank Gallagher, Simon Roche (twice), Jason Rossiter and Oisin Moore were on target to see off the boys from Ross.
Elsewhere, Curracloe United are Under-12 Division 1A champions.
It was already looking good for them after the results of recent weeks left the seasiders needing just a point in their final game. However, nearest rivals Glynn Barntown were held by Gorey Celtic meaning that they can no longer catch the leaders.
Four days later the Under-14’s of Curracloe followed suit by beating Shelburne to take the Division 2 crown. They needed the win to prevent their rivals from potentially nipping in to snag the title in the last game and they did just that, securing a 2-0 success to emerge with the cup.
Wexford Celtic are the Under-15 Division 1 champions, and like Curracloe Under-12’s, they didn’t do it themselves on the pitch. Eight points clear of New Ross Town, only a win would have kept the race alive but it was ended when Gorey Celtic beat the last remaining challengers 2-1 in Umbro Park at the weekend.
In Under-12 Division 2A the clash of the titans in the running for the title, Ballagh United and Wexford Bohs, was postponed meaning both must wait. If the former win that game they will be champions but a Bohs win will put the cat amongst the pigeons.
With two games left for the top two in Division 4A, Gorey Rangers B hold a two point lead over Bridge Rovers B. Rangers were supposed to play last week but their game with Fastnet Rovers B was postponed meaning the title race is still on a knife edge.
One of the most interesting divisions, the top tier in Under-14, is getting closer to a conclusion after a stunning midweek of football. With the way other results went, Gorey Celtic would have secured the title with victory over Shamrock Rovers but they were stunned 1-0 in Enniscorthy.
Their fate is now out of their hands with Fethard Rangers right back in the driving seat. Their position was precarious heading into their game with Wexford Albion but a 3-2 home win means they will secure the silverware with a victory in their final outing.
Two more wins will be enough for Forth Celtic in Division 1A, they lead Moyne Rangers and St Joseph’s by two points with a game in hand and seem destined to take the silverware.
In Division 2A wins for the ‘B’ teams of both Forth and Gorey Celtic mean they both remain right in the hunt for the trophy.
In Under-12 Division 1 Cloughbawn kept the pressure up on leaders Forth Celtic with a hard-earned 2-1 win at home to Gorey Rangers. They currently sit a point behind the table-toppers and both have three games remaining, including a game against each other so there’s everything to play for in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, a 4-1 win away to Gorey Celtic means Cloughbawn are still on track for a league and cup double. They are now through to the final and will face another side going for a double, Bunclody, who beat North End in the last four and are already Division 2 champions.
Neither of the top two were in action in Division 2 of the Under-13 league at the weekend. Moyne and Gorey Rangers remained deadlocked going into last night’s matches (Monday), with just five games to go they were nine points clear of Forth Celtic.
While Bunclody would have been hoping to wrap up the Division 2 title on Saturday, an entertaining 3-3 draw with only remaining challengers Rosslare Rangers has to go down as a great result. It gave them the opportunity to wrap up the title with a home point against Curracloe last night.
Most of the leaders in Division 1 of the Under-15 league were in cup action so there was very little move ahead of Monday night’s games. Enniscorthy Town still lead the way but St Joseph’s and North End sit just in behind ready to pounce.
Finally, in Division 2 it was a great weekend for Shamrock Rovers. As well as advancing to the last four of the cup, their two nearest rivals in the league were shocked by unfancied opponents meaning the Enniscorthy side are edging closer to a potential double with the season moving towards a conclusion.