Boker boys land Leinster crown
C.B.S. first years make history
HISTORY was made by Wexford C.B.S. last Wednesday as the first year team claimed the first-ever Leinster soccer title for the school after a deserved 2-0 victory over Boyne Community School of Meath.
This is a truly fantastic achievement for the school which has often won honours at league level in Wicklow/Wexford but were yet to capture a provincial title after losing out in three previous finals.
Boyne started the game brighter with their intense pressing game causing Wexford some trouble. They passed the ball well and with purpose but could not really find a way through the well-marshalled C.BS. defence, with John O’Sullivan in particular having an outstanding game at the back for the Boker boys.
Wexford soon found their feet and caused their opponents real problems, with John Hore terrorising their defence from the right side. His pace and trickery wreaked havoc down the flank as he came close with an effort from just outside the box and fired in three fine crosses which were dealt with by Boyne.
After 15 minutes some lovely link-up play between Hore and Jack Wilde put the latter into a good position on the right side, from where he whipped in a low cross to Aaron Roche, who controlled well before firing home from a crowded area to put the Boker boys in front.
C.B.S. then looked the better side and pressed for a second, but Boyne showed great heart and determination to keep themselves in the game.
Right on the stroke of half-time Jack Wilde almost doubled the advantage with a Cruyff-like turn to bewilder two defenders before firing a well-placed effort low to the ’keeper’s right, and he made a fine save.
In the second-half the C.B.S. upped the tempo with Michael Mackey in central midfield especially taking the game to the boys from Boyne.
Aaron Roche almost added his and the side’s second five minutes in but for another fine save.
As the game wore on Wexford continued to play some excellent soccer against a determined Boyne side. The lads from Meath enjoyed a good spell and were pushing hard for an equaliser but could not find a path through the outstanding C.B.S. defence, with Darragh Carley in particular in no mood to let the lead slip.
With just two minutes remaining Aaron Roche added his and the side’s second goal after a defence-splitting pass from Carley put him through. He scored a cracker of a goal, striking on the run to finish to the roof of the net over the advancing ’keeper.
The goal was exactly what C.B.S. deserved after an emphatic display.
This is the school’s first provincial success on the soccer field, and the excellent work being done by all the coaches is really starting to reap such deserved rewards.
The boys will face the winners of the Munster section in the All-Ireland semi-final where they will hope to continue this undefeated season.
All in all it was an epic day for the school and hopefully an even better one will come in future, as with the skill-set and determination shown so far these boys have the potential to go all the way.
WEXFORD C.B.S.: Cian Roche (Wexford Celtic), John O’Sullivan (Forth Celtic), Jack Foley (North End), Callum Corcoran (North End), Darragh Carley (North End), Michael Mackey (North End), John Hore (North End), Eoin Hartigan (Wexford Albion), Jack Wilde (Barntown), Aaron Roche (Wexford Celtic), Kyle Clancy (Wexford Celtic), Jack Mullan (Forth Celtic), Adrian Jasiuwescz (Wexford Celtic), Josh Howlin (North End), Tommy Gallagher (Barntown), Eoin Doyle (Wexford Celtic).