NEWS IN BRIEF
MONAGEER MASTERS: Monageerhit seven unanswered points in eight second-half minutes to edge through their Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship first round clash with Naomh Eanna in Monamolin on May 28, 2005, by 1-12 to 0-12.
The dearly-missed Shane Fenlon - who passed away after a brave battle against serious illness seven years later - had goaled early for the men in red, and he also pointed along with Marty Kelly near the finish to seal their success.
Meanwhile, Eoin Murphy had good cause to remember his Senior championship debut for Rathnure, as his goal propelled the titleholders from 2002 and 2003 to a hard-earned 3-10 to 2-9 replay win over Buffers Alley in Bellefield.
Trevor Hogan and Seán O’Neill also netted for the victors, with Paul Doyle and Tom Dempsey responding for their old foes.
GERAGHTY DOUBLE: The highlight of the seven-race card down for decision at Bettyville racecourse on May 27 was a double for top professional jockey Barry Geraghty and Tipperary-based trainer Edward O’Grady.
They kicked off with an easy win in the two-mile four-furlong handicap with Kentucky Charm, before Mamouna Gale obliged in the beginners’ steeplechase.
COURTOWN OPENING: The sun shone for the formal opening of the newly-developed golf course in Courtown on May 29, 2005.
Club President Pat Noonan did the honours by cutting the tape, with assistance from Vincent Kavanagh (Captain), Margo McGill (lady Captain), Evan Stack (Honorary Secretary), and Martha Byrne (lady President).
NORTH END CRUISE: Classy North End United cruised to an emphatic 8-1 victory over Kilmore in the Under-16 soccer cup final in Curracloe, with the goals coming from Shane Dempsey (three), Kyle Dempsey (two), Seán Connon (two) and Keith Burke.
Talented all-rounder Mark Frayne - who sadly died in 2008 - scored the consolation for the seasiders.
The Under-14 decider was a closer affair, with Aidan McCann captaining Gorey Rangers to a 3-2 victory over Bunclody.
Michael Doran netted before Tiernan O’Gara added a brace, with Tomás Brennan and Keith Murphy responding for the losers.
RACKARD FIRST: History was made in Wexford Park when a Rackard League hurling title returned to the parish of Craanford for the first time, thanks to a 4-4 to 3-4 dismissal of Ramsgrange in the ‘C’ decider.
St. Aidan’s (Enniscorthy) completed a very impressive ‘A’ double, with Jack Kelly captaining the side to a 4-8 to 2-3 success against a Ferns combination led into battle by Ian Byrne.
The ‘B’ final was a tight, exciting affair, with Monageer getting the better of Ballindaggin on a 3-7 to 2-5 scoreline.
MULTI TASKERS: The Leinster multi-event athletics championships in Kilkenny produced some fine displays.
Bree pair Ben Hunt and Brendan Culleton won the Under-19 and Under-17 boys’ categories respectively, with Steven Comiskey of St. Paul’s second in Under-16. Sinéad Maloney (Bree) was the third Under-16 girl.