Fruitful journey to Navan
ENNISCORTHY’S U-14 team made the long journey to Navan a fruitful one on Saturday when they produced a terrific team performance outscoring the home team 40 points to 10.
They got caught after four minutes when the home team pounced to score a try in the right corner after a misplaced pass Enniscorthy pass.
They missed the conversion. Enniscorthy responded brilliantly led by number 8 Marco Byrne who orchestrated his fellow forwards picking and driving at Navan.
They were stopped short of the line on a number of occasions and Ian Rigley looked to have scored but knocked on the ball as the line appeared.
Ian Rigley did pounce midway through the half to score the opening try and out half Darragh Kehoe kicked a fine conversion.
Enniscorthy lost hooker Aidan Whelan midway through the half with a knee injury and was replaced by Lawrence Power.
Enniscorthy continued to pin Navan back in their half and with five minutes to the break Darragh Kehoe broke through the cover to score the second try which James Kaylita converted and they led 14-5 at half time.
Enniscorthy scored a try just after the restart.
Kehoe kicked the drop off deep into the Navan defence and the ball was superbly recycled and Arron Quigley crossed for the third try.
The conversion was missed. Navan came back and closed the gap with a touch down themselves with 10 minutes remaining which was not converted and the lead was now down to 19-10.
Enniscorthy continued to pick and drive and their ability to move the ball wide caused the home team problems and the fourth try came when Sam Geraghty broke through to town down. Kaylita added the conversion.
The Enniscorthy boys really cut loose now with the result secured and scored two further excellent tries, the first of which came from Arron Quigley broke free to score a fine individual try with Kaylita adding the conversion.
The best wine came at the end when Darragh Kehoe caught a Navan drop out and he produced some wonderful footwork as he danced around the Navan defence and the final try which was converted.
It was an excellent team performance with the half backs Kaylita and Kehoe controlling the game and they were supported by the well organised forward unit.
Enniscorthy have now qualified for the last four of the second phase of the Premier League in January.
They play Gorey next Friday night under lights in Ross Road at 7.30pm.
Team: Mark Asple, Aidan Whelan, Conor Walsh, Ian Rigley, Ciaran Doyle, Shane Carley, Sam Geraghty, Marco Byrne (Capt.), James Kalyta, Darragh Kehoe, Lee Moore, Arron Quigley, Levi Rozsa, Nathan Murphy, Brian Cronin. Subs used: Cathal Kennedy, James Kinsella, Lawrence Power.