Serving two codes

THE enforced postponement of all Allianz League games on the weekend before last proved a blessing in disguise for one of the Wexford players. Nick Doyle has decided to commit fully to Paul McLoughlin’s squad this season after his exploits with the championship-winning Starlights footballers in 2017.

However, he is also a very capable rugby player with his native Enniscorthy, and they are currently making a big push for the Leinster League Division 1A title.

When the football re-fixtures were announced, the sensible decision was taken to move the Wexford versus Offaly game from Sunday to Saturday, thereby avoiding a direct clash with the hurlers’ game in Kilkenny.

And that also meant that Doyle was available to assist Enniscorthy in their rugby tie on Sunday afternoon when they pipped neighbours Gorey 26-25 in a tight local derby in Ross Road.

Speaking of rugby, the oval ball’s big counter-attraction on television last Saturday, the Six Nations clash between Ireland and Scotland, certainly didn’t help the attendance at the Wexford v. Offaly game that was moved from Innovate Wexford Park to St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, late in the week.

Then again, it would appear that the county footballers will always be poorly supported, regardless of the circumstances, and no amount of newspaper comment will ever change that.