NEWS IN BRIEF
MINOR MARVELS: April 11, 2015, was a famous day in Wexford handball history as, for the second time in all and first since 1997, the county captured the All-Ireland handball doubles title in the 40 x 20 court.
Keith Armstrong from Myshall and Daniel Kavanagh (St. Joseph’s) were responsible for this fantastic feat, defeating Clare pair Caothir Agnew and Fergal Coughlan 21-19, 8-21, 21-18.
In 1997, Barry Goff and Colin Keeling took the same title, and the 18-year wait was ended in style.
SERIOUS INJURIES: Wexford races at Bettyville on April 10 became the focus of worldwide media attention when Limerick jockey Robbie McNamara suffered horrendous injuries in a first race fall.
The Croom native sustained serious chest, abdominal and spinal injuries when he crashed out in a three-horse pile-up when riding 14-1 shot Bursledon for Duncormick trainer Martina Ann Doran.
CUP FOR CORACH: Goalkeeper Philip Murphy was the hero for Corach Ramblers as his two penalty saves during the dreaded shoot-out helped his side to lift the Gwyn Jones Cup after a 1-1 draw with The Ballagh at Murrintown on April 12.
Corach Ramblers: Philip Murphy, Mark Power, Pat Power, Mark Carroll, Robert Farrell, Stephen Diskin, Richie Walsh, Marty Keane, Darren Sinnott, Mark Sinnott, Brendan Staples. Subs. - Jack Farragher, David O’Sullivan, Jason McCutcheon, Paul Browne, John Quirke.
YOUTHS GO SECOND: Having fallen one adrift, Wexford Youths responded in impressive fashion to move into second spot in the First Division table with a 4-2 win over Shelbourne in Tolka Park on April 10.
The outcome left the visitors just two points adrift of leaders Finn Harps, with the goals coming from Gary Delaney, Aidan Keenan, a Danny Furlong penalty, and Conor Whittle.
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle, Gary Delaney, Jimmy Dermody, Lee Grace, Conor Whittle, Peter Higgins, Craig McCabe, Eric Molloy, Craig Wall, Danny Furlong, Aidan Keenan. Subs. - Jonny Bonner, Ryan Delaney, Philip Drohan, Conor English, Seamus Houghton, Andy Mulligan.
BADMINTON BULLETIN: The county badminton finals were held on Good Friday, with excellent encounters across all six divisions.
Declan Carroll of Taghmon completed a notable treble in Division 4, winning the singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles.
The Division 1 men’s singles saw Edward Cousins beat Nicholas Murphy 21-13, 21-17.
They paired up to beat Ross McNiven and Lincoln Nelson in the doubles, while the ladies’ equivalent saw Clodagh Dunne and Laura Lynch account for Deirdre Kehoe and Clodagh Kent.
PRESTON PROMISE: The Wexford and District schoolboys Under-14 emerging talent squad displayed plenty of promise when they travelled to Preston in England for the Easter Cup.
After a 3-3 draw in the final with St. Mirren from Scotland, netminder Aaron Hall saved all three penalties in the shoot-out to secure victory. Dale O’Reilly (two) and Eanna Doyle scored during the game, with Louis Schwartz, Cian Foley and Dale O’Reilly netting their penalties.