CLUB CALL
S.B.R. A.C.
S.B.R. was back to winning ways this past weekend with strong performances from a number of athletes.
Tomás Kavanagh had another great weekend at the races. On Saturday, he placed first overall in the Wexford Parkrun in a new 5k P.B. of 17:14 over good local competition.
On Sunday, he was at the Irish 3/4 marathon in Meath. He ran 2:03:01 to claim ninth overall in a national field.
Linda Avbara was in action Sunday as well in Meath, tackling the 3/4 marathon. She ran brilliantly, setting herself up for a strong marathon. Linda finished in 4:05:31.
Stephen O’Leary was in action Saturday in Johnstown Castle as well, finishing 5k in 32:02. Well done Stephen!
Myles Gibbons was back to his winning way Saturday as well, claiming the Gorey Parkrun 5k in 18:47.
Well done everyone as we wind down to the Wexford Senior cross-country in Ferns next Sunday, October 15, and the Dublin marathon on Sunday, October 29.
Full race fixtures, club information and results are at www.sbrclub.com.
GOREY CRICKET
Gorey Cricket Club hosted a Festival of Colours, celebrating ethnicity, culture and diversity, in the Showgrounds, Gorey, recently.
Despite the overcast weather and blustery winds, over 50 flags were on show. Most prominent were Polish, Korean, Sri Lankan, Canadian, Indian, Pakistani, Jamaican and Australian, overlooked by the national tricolour, proudly hoisted by chief groundsman and ex-serviceman Richard Miller.
Andrew Leonard and Irish international Patrick Tice provided top-class coaching, courtesy of Cricket Leinster, as the cricketers pitted their skills against double All-Ireland rounders champions Glynn-Barntown in this novel game, followed by a public match, featuring Garda John Cooper’s inspired public team displaying the talents of batting skills.
This was a unique occasion involving many nationalities and may be repeated celebrating all ethnicities in this cosmopolitan town of Gorey and surrounding areas.
Special mention must go to team captain Anslem Diaz and Co., for his expertise and professionalism in showcasing, not just Gorey cricket, but also his native country, Sri Lanka.
Also, thanks to Rashid Owias and Waheed for providing oriental food, a recipe straight from Pakistan, as well as Mayank Siwach, who was the sole contributor of the ‘Holi’ colours, not forgetting Karolina and her patriots from Poland who are so pro-active in building a rich environment in the region.
There was South African representation from Reiner Garz and compatriot Ross Norman, who was awarded the most dedicated club player 2017 for his attention to detail and service in this season’s cricket club’s league campaign.
Though the weather may have been unkind, the day will remain an event of ‘possibilities and hope’ in advancing, not just cricket, but bringing all ethnicities to future celebrations of culture.
Gorey Cricket Club’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday, October 23, at 7.30 p.m. in the Loch Garman Arms Hotel. All are welcome to attend.
GOREY TENNIS
The weather was kind to the 28 Junior players who took part in round one of Donal’s Junior winter tennis league.
Results: 1, Alejandro Alvarez; 2, Luca Clopin; 3, Oisín Molumby.
Under-10: 1, Oskar Trankner; 2, Callum Ryan; 3, Oisín Ryan.
Thanks to Jamie Stafford, tennis coach, for organising the league. More details for those interested in tennis are on the club’s website: http://www. goreytennisclub.ie
E’CORTHY HOCKEY
With two games behind the men’s first XI, they found themselves on the road again last weekend as they made the trip up to Naas Sports Centre. Donal Doyle’s men were in good spirits after the previous week’s win over Three Rock Rovers.
Enniscorthy travelled with almost a full squad to choose from, just missing forward Edmundas Luikimas. Unfortunately for the visitors, Naas were first to strike and opened the scoring following a penalty corner with less than five minutes on the clock.
The home side doubled their lead just minutes later, finishing the ball to the roof of Graham Hill’s net. Despite this calamitous start, Enniscorthy refused to panic.
Durnan made a number of promising runs up the right wing and was on occasion the victim of some borderline challenges as the Naas defence struggled to cope with the youngster. The home defence continued to get physical with the Enniscorthy forwards who, to their credit, refused to be intimidated.
The grit and determination of Enniscorthy shone through when central midfielder Daithí Medcalf - with some great skill and precision - pulled the ball away from his marker and with a beautifully-struck reverse stick shot got his side on the scoreboard.
After three goals in the opening twelve minutes, the remainder of the half saw multiple chances but no more goals, despite James O’Sullivan coming agonisingly close for Enniscorthy when his shot hit the post.
The second-half started with Enniscorthy having the better opening chances. Donal Doyle’s men were awarded a penalty corner, and O’Sullivan with a powerful shot struck the backboard for his fourth goal of the season.
Naas came back hard at Enniscorthy, and late on Hill had to be at his best when a loose pass meant he found himself in a one-on-one situation; with his experience and superior reactions he dealt with the Naas threat, enabling Enniscorthy to counter-attack.
The match, however, finished 2-2 with Enniscorthy comfortably in the top half of the league.
The Division 4 side will return home this coming Saturday for an outing against north county Dublin team Skerries.
Squad: Graham Hill, Andrew Rothwell, Clive Rothwell, David Simmons, Ivan Rothwell, Glen Chapman, Roy Chapman, Daithí Medcalf, Cory Cooke, William Durnan, James O’Sullivan, Cian Hogan, Ciarán O’Leary, Jacob English.
The men’s second XI were also in action at the Naas Sports Centre on Saturday. Scoreless at half-time, the match sprang into life in the second-half.
Cory Cooke opened the scoring for the visitors following a one-two with John McWey. Niall Maguire doubled the scoreline shortly after; Billy James had produced a mazy run up the left wing, combining with Cory Cooke who found Maguire for the goal.
Naas goaled five minutes later, which set up a nervy final 20 minutes for the Slaneysiders, but they held out for a 2-1 win.
Squad: Luke Doyle, David Mulligan, Shay O’Leary, Mick Jordan, Alan Smith, Jason Rothwell, Niall Maguire, Billy James, Jack Redmond, John McWey, Robbie Walshe, Nigel Bailey.
The Enniscorthy ladies’ second team played host to Bray fifths in their opening match of the Leinster League Division 12 on Saturday.
An intense game from tip-off, it was clear the Enniscorthy women had been keenly awaiting their first-ever league match. Enniscorthy attacked immediately from the tip-off, with vice-captain Eleanor Bolger working skilfully in midfield to send the ball in the right direction.
Leaving Certificate student Orlaith Breen from Bunclody was in tremendous form, covering much of the field, ably supported by her F.C.J. classmate Saoirse Power, who had a cracking game. Time and time again, Power won the ball from Bray, sending it back towards their goal. This young lady is an asset to her team.
In the back line, of note was Alex Doyle-Weston, who showed strength from the get-go. Doyle-Weston and the reliable Róisín Ó Muirí pressed high and hard, keeping the ball well away from their corner.
Goalie Kim O’Connor executed some fine saves, clearing the ball out of the circle completely on more than one occasion. Amy Dalton picked up on one of these balls in particular, sending it neatly to Hickey who then passed it to captain Mairéad Neville, whose attempt on goal went wide.
Down one goal to Bray, Enniscorthy fought on. A short corner to the ‘Scorthy ladies saw them come close to equalising.
It was an acceptable start to their season, but the ladies’ second team will not be content until they get a few goals on the match card, which they will be hoping to do next Saturday in their home tie against Skerries.
Squad: Mairéad Neville, Eleanor Bolger, Kim O’Connor, Alex Doyle-Weston, Róisín Ó Muirí, Saoirse Power, Orlaith Breen, Elaine Hickey, Muireann Ní Corcráin, Megan Dempsey, Amy Dalton, Emer O’Doherty, Julie Hayes.
For the Enniscorthy under-age sides it was also a busy weekend. On Saturday the first/second, third/ fourth, and fifth/sixth class girls were in blitz action at the Astro Active Centre, hosting teams from Wexford, Gorey and Waterford.
On Sunday the Under-14 and Under-16 boys’ sides were both on the road, the former leaving East Glendalough School the right side of a 4-1 scoreline against Wicklow.
The Under-16 boys came away from Serpentine Avenue with a creditable 0-0 draw against Dublin giants Pembroke Wanderers, goalkeeper Glen Rothwell being forced into a number of saves.
At the other end Charlie Dunne was denied by the Wanderers ‘keeper following a penalty corner in Enniscorthy’s best chance of the game, midway through the first-half.
ST. JOSEPH’S A.C.
Not content with a series of superb performances on the roads throughout the summer, culminating in a new 10k personal best time of 37.26, St. Joseph’s Sally Forristal surpassed even those achievements last weekend in finally winning the Kilkenny Senior cross-country championship.
Exactly one year ago, Sally had to settle for second position behind a young athlete emerging from Junior ranks, Lauren Dermody from Castlecomer, and one year later the same two athletes fought a titanic battle over the fields in Kilmacow before a last lap surge took Sally to victory.
Sally led the club team to bronze medals with Elaine O’Donovan tenth, Ann Watkins 15th, Mary Doolin 21st, Caroline Mullally 24th and Maggie Helen O’Connor 25th.
Congratulations to Sally from everyone in the club on a wonderful achievement from the most dedicated of athletes.
The men’s race saw three St. Joseph’s athletes on the start line ready to take on the hugely demanding distance of ten kilometres. First home was Patrick Bookle in 17th position, followed by Stephen O’Connor 25th and Michael Power 31st.
From cross-country to marathon action, with the intrepid duo of Tom McDonald and Anita Barry running the East of Ireland marathon in Lusk in 4:04:00 and 4:04:32 respectively.
On a busy weekend, eight club athletes took on the challenge of the Solas ten-mile race in Waterford. First home was Ciarán Cullen in 1:24:31, followed by Hanora O’Connor 1:24:57, Susan Bolger 1:38:07, Katie Kinsella 1:40:17, Mary McDonald 1:40:57, Sinéad Croke 1:40:58, Susan Lanigan 1:40:59 and Tracy Malone 1:46:41.
UNITED STRIDERS A.C.
Well done to all the U.S.A.C. Juveniles who competed at the Wexford county cross-country championships at JFK Park in the autumn sunshine.
The day got off to a great start for the Striders, with our boys’ and girls’ Under-10s performing really well. Winning loads of medals and running strongly were Cormac Delaney, Heather Costello, Rúairí Lyng and Eanna Grennan.
The Under-12s had to contend with a 2k course that was in perfect condition considering the recent rain. The girls’ team - Katie Costello, Millie Sutton and Sadhbh Rossiter - all ran well-judged races and were just outside the team medal positions.
The boys’ squad - Seán Lennon, Luca O’Connor, Danny Costello, Tommaso Hickey, Sam Myers, Charlie Alfred and Olan Delaney - ran exceptionally well and won a fantastic silver medal in the team event.
The Under-14 girls were one athlete short of a team, but Isabel Bawden and Kelly Corbett ran really well over 3k.
The Striders boys’ team turned out in big numbers and dominated the race from start to finish, with Aidan Shannon, Myles Hewlett and Darragh Flannelly filling the first three places.
With Cosmo Hewlett, Eoin Shannon, Owen Lennon and Oisín Mac Eochaidh all claiming top ten spots, this was a very profitable race for the club as we added team silver and gold to the individual medals.
Clodagh Foran led home the girls’ Under-16 team in a fantastic third place over 4k.
Also running well, just behind Clodagh, were Eve Byrne, Louise Doyle, Aisling Power and Ellie Quinn who combined to win a team gold.
The Under-16 boys’ team of Adam O’Connor, Aaron Browne, Cian Flanagan, Ryan Kielthy and Daniel Wickham won another team medal with more strong performances.
For the second event of the day, the Striders filled the podium, with Katie Murphy sprinting to victory in the girls’ Under-18 event ahead of Rebecca Bawden and Alannah Byrne.
In the last of the under-age events, Aedan Rogers produced the outstanding performance of the day in winning the boys’ Under-18 event ahead of team-mates James Boland and Nic Walkden.
Competing over 6k, with the men’s Novice runners, Aedan raced to an early lead and proceeded to win by a large margin.
After a fantastic display by the U.S.A.C. Juveniles, the Striders Senior teams well and truly made this a day to remember for the club. Thanks to lots of hard work from the coach, John Kent, the ladies’ team were in great form and it showed on the big day.
Sonya Byrne and Ailish Browne were always towards the head of affairs and deservedly took silver and bronze medals respectively, in a quick time over the 3k course.
With Lettie Myers and Sareen O’Farrell also finishing towards the top of the field, the Striders ladies’ team just missed out on the top team spot, taking a well-deserved silver.
The Striders men’s team was very strong in both quantity and quality. With all the big Wexford clubs well represented, the men in black produced something special to dominate the race on home soil.
Over a testing 6k course the Striders were always well represented in the lead group, and on the decisive final lap Alan O’Connor and Brendan Lyng forged ahead for gold and silver respectively.
George Delaney led home the remainder of the gold-winning team that included Paul Colfer, Pat O’Callaghan, Mick O’Gorman, Colin Carney, Emmett Malone and Luke Butler.
With our Under-18s - Aedan, James and Nic - competing so well, in the same race, there were great celebrations afterwards as most of the U.S.A.C. Juveniles stayed around to cheer everyone on. Well done to all who participated.
Well done to all who assisted in the organisation and preparation of the event, at an amazing venue that’s recognised as the finest cross-country course in the south-east.