Enniscorthy club is thriving
Seniors shake up AIL, while girls selected for Ireland
ENNISCORTHY RFC always wanted a taste of senior fare, and they grasped the opportunity with both hands, enjoying quite a successful season despite the premature end.
When the coronavirus pandemic brought all sporting and social activities in this country, and also throughout the world, to a halt, Enniscorthy were harbouring thoughts of figuring in the promotion play-off and making further progress after just one season in senior club rugby.
They were sitting second in their Division 2C campaign, just behind leaders Skerries, with a visit to the north Dublin club awaiting them, having already defeated the promotion favourites 20-16 on their visit to Alcast Park in October.
But with Covid-19 getting its tentacles into the country, the season was brought to a sudden end.
And despite being deprived of promotion, Enniscorthy finished the season quite happy with what they had achieved, so much so that they are now looking forward to the new season in whatever format is arrived at for the AIL.
It was on a Friday evening in September, 2019, that Enniscorthy RFC played their first senior game in almost 90 years, the venue being the Wanderers FC grounds in Merrion Road, Dublin.
Coming up against one of the oldest clubs in the country, and one of Dublin’s most famous outfits, they turned in a hugely commendable performance, winning 33-31.
While victory is always sweet, it was the performance which caught the eye on that occasion, as it set the tone for what was to follow for the remainder of the season.
Three weeks later, on October 5, they played their first AIL game at home to Cork side, Midleton, runners-up the previous season.
In front of a large home crowd, this young Enniscorthy side turned on the style in fashioning a 22-3 win.
It was a victory that filled the players with even more confidence as they progressed through the league with their open, attacking style of play.
They were top try scorers in the league, and also the leading points scorers with a tally of 330, averaging over 25 points per game.
Over the season they travelled all over the country with their loyal band of supporters, from as far away as Derry to Independent Park in Cork.
They played 13 of their scheduled 18 games in total before all rugby activities ceased. Injuries before Christmas hampered the squad, and they were defeatedf 15-14 in Bangor in early January.
Six of the squad were still on the list of casualties for the visit of Clonmel the following month, when they went down to their first home defeat on a 17-15 scoreline.
On a bright note, it was pleasing to see the return of Ivan Jacob and Timmy Morrissey for their final game in Cork against Sunday’s Well. Both contributed handsomely to their 26-21 victory, with Jacob scoring two tries and Morrissey adding one.
With the club having attained senior status, it also meant a move up the ladder for their second string. They made the leap to J1, a higher grade which presented a number of challenges to this young team.
Their first league match was on the road in Malahide and, following a difficult game, they came out on top.
While injuries hampered their progress as they moved through the season, their management team of Terry Kavanagh, Andrew Kelly and Craig Blithe continued to get the best from the side.
There were many candidates for the J1 player of the year, but Michael Farrell held off his challengers to take the award, deserved recognition for his intelligent and skilful play at out-half and centre.
While the results didn’t always go their way, this team under captain Lee Treacy always endeavoured to play a positive brand of rugby.
Being the only senior club in County Wexford, Enniscorthy RFC offers a unique opportunity to any young player who has ambitions to play in the AIL.
The club has top-class rugby facilities, including a new gym. With the best coaches in the south-east, Enniscorthy players get all the support they need to reach their full potential.
The environment is challenging but very fulfilling and enjoyable. If you are up for this experience in rugby, please feel free to contact any of the following: Kieran Hurrell (087-6462189), Declan O’Brien (086-1735600), or John Murphy (086-9056663).
Enniscorthy RFC is a community-based club, centrally located within the town on the Ross Road.
The club grounds have seen many developments over more than 50 years, with the new clubhouse, pitch improvements, floodlighting and car park completed in 2004.
These have been funded by a combination of members’ donations, government sports capital grants and bank facility.
Included in the current complex is a weights room, indoor training area, changing rooms and shower facilities, generously funded by a legacy from our esteemed and much-loved President Tom Hastings R.I.P.
The club has recently signed a rental agreement with our neighbours, County Wexford Agricultural Show Society, to establish a third pitch at the Showgrounds to cater for the increasing numbers of minis and under-age players.
The club is also the Leinster Rugby centre of excellence in the south-east for coaching and development activities. In addition, the clubhouse and grounds are regularly used by local schools and voluntary groups from the area.
The objective of the club is to provide facilities for all aspects of rugby. Indeed, they also have a vibrant girls’ rugby set-up, with the Under-18 girls having enjoyed a marvellous season.
Captain Katie Foley can look back on a curtailed season with pride, being beaten Leinster Cup semi-finalists, while suffering just a single defeat in the Leinster League.
International call-ups for Katie Whelan and Aoife Wafer, along with Rachel Murphy,
Mia Kelly and Anna Nolan joining the Leinster squad, are indicative of the quality of player available to head coach Eamon Whelan.
The Under-16 girls played eleven games, winning five, losing five and drawing one, while they also performed very well in the South-East Cup, reaching the semi-final before being defeated by Arklow.
Under-16 squad: Elaine Oladiran, Ava Whelan, Fife Lasisi, Kate Earle-Long, Lily Nolan, Bríd Kavanagh, Kelsey Ryan, Niamh Farrell, Ella Kinnaird, Chloe McGrath, Caoimhe Codd, Orla Wafer, Jessica Blyth, Mollie Osborne, Aoife Farrell, Lilly Byrne, Amelia Morycka, Orla Redmond, Megan O’Connor.
The boys’ under-age structure continues to thrive and will provide players of real quality for many seasons to come.
Now that rugby has been given the go-ahead to return to the playing pitches once again, Enniscorthy RFC, founded back in 1912, will return to training on the first week of August, by which time they hope to have a programme from the IRFU for the 2020-’21 season.
The last decade has been incredibly successful, yielding four Provincial Towns
Cups (2012, 2015, 2018 and 2019), two All-Ireland Junior Cups (2014 and 2016), and two Leinster Junior Leagues (2016 and 2019).
And by winning through to senior status last year, the current crop created a link back to the first club team to operate at that high level from 1928 to 1931.
The Leinster Junior Challenge Cup wins of 1923 and 1925, and Provincial Towns Cups of 1926 and 1927 marked the beginning of an era of dominance in the province.
This paved the way for top-flight status, playing in the Leinster Senior Cup over that four-year spell starting in 1928.
The 1950s saw a resurgence in club fortunes, and gradually the playing base expanded. The 1963 Provincial Towns Cup win, along with the purchase of the Ross Road grounds four years later, saw further expansion.
This continued with the construction of a clubhouse in 1972 and the introduction of coaching for boys. From around the mid-1980s onwards the club has enjoyed more success on the field which reflects the tremendous work put in at all levels – minis, youths and adult, not to mention the thriving girls’ section.