Doran’s Bridge and Monart crowned

THE 2014 Wexford league finals were held in McCrea’s of Carnew on Saturday last.

Division 2 saw Monart versus Curracloe, with Monart going in favourites as All-Ireland club champions, and they lived up to expectations.

Game one of the six saw Johnjoe Byrne and Denis Larkin Snr. of Monart beat Seán Doyle and John Lacey (Curracloe) 21-12. In game two, Eddie Larkin and Billy Larkin (Monart) beat Martin O’Dowd and Tommy Gordon 21-12.

In game three, Denis Larkin Jnr. and Jim Sludds (Monart) beat Seán Storey and William Gordon 21-7.

With Monart three games up at that stage and a 15-minute interval, they must have been very confident heading in to game four in which Byrne and Larkin clinched the title with a 21-17 win over Dowd and Gordon.

All of Monart played brilliantly with Billy Larkin taking man of the match.

This has been a great year for Monart, winning five tournaments in a row: Leinster league, Leinster open, Wexford county, Wexford league All-Ireland club championship. Substitutes were: Monart, Stephen Owens, Chris Sludds, Reece Larkin and Mark Sludds; Curracloe, Tommy Cullen and James Jackman. Referees were James Balfe and Kieran O'Brien of McCrea's.

Division 1 kicked off next with the current All-Ireland club champions, Woodsmen, tipped to take the title, but this was not the case as the Bridge got off to a great start in game one with Brendan Earle and John Doyle Jnr. beating John Giltrap and Tom Connors 21-18.

Paddy Connors and Phil Mahon (Woodsmen) beat Harry Kinch and Denis Fitzgerald (Doran’s Bridge) 21-11, while Richard Collier and William Redmond (Doran’s Bridge) beat Chris McDonald and Michael Redmond (Woodsmen) 21-14.

With a 2-1 lead over the Woodsmen at this stage, the Bridge went into game four with Earle and Doyle coming out on top with a 2111 win over Connors and Giltrap (replaced by Liam Bond).

Game five saw the Bridge clinch this final when Harry Kinch and Billy Maguire, replaced by Denis Fitzgerald, beat Mahon and Connors 21-19 in what was an excellent display by Fitzgerald as the Bridge were falling behind 15-7.

Substitutes were - Doran’s Bridge, John Doyle Snr.; Woodsmen, Seán Redmond. Well done to the Bridge. Referees were Charles and Walter Christopher of Monageer.

County Chairman Denny Larkin Snr. would like to thank McCrea’s for running this final and an excellent job they did.

Thanks also to McCrea's pub for the wonderful food they laid on and the filling of the cup was much appreciated by all involved.

Thanks to the referees whot did a great job. Denny presented the prizes to the runnersup and winners and congratulated all teams.

The All-Ireland singles Division 1 and 2 are at 1 p.m., and also the All-Ireland ringers Divisions 1, 2 and 3 in Athy on Saturday, August 30.

McCrea’s open doubles is on Saturday, September 6, at 3.30 p.m.