E’CORTHY HOCKEY
Enniscorthy Hockey Club was delighted to win the hockey club of the year award at the South East Radio Sports Awards in conjunction with Sports Active Wexford. The award was gratefully received by Chairman Jim Rogan.
The ladies’ second XI travelled to Donabate on Saturday to play fourthplaced Portrane II in Division 12.
Despite having the lion’s share of the possession, Enniscorthy found themselves 3-0 down at the break. Hard-working defenders Ellen Creed, Eleanor Bolger and Muireann Nic Corcráin were having a tough time against a talented Portrane forward division.
The second-half saw an improved performance from the visitors, with Ciara Parnell, Tara Somers and Ellen Rogan combining well with twelve minutes remaining to put just two goals between the sides. With three penalty corners unconverted, Enniscorthy were unlucky not to get another score.
However, Portrane’s centre forward – with two in the first-half – remained a danger, eventually finishing with a hat-trick. In the last minute Portrane scored their fourth goal, leaving three between the sides on a 4-1 scoreline.
Squad: Eleanor Bolger, Amy D’Alton, Laura Redmond, Ciara Parnell, Megan Dempsey, Alice Medcalf, Ellen Creed, Alice Kelly, Muireann Nic Corcráin, Tara Somers, Ellen Rogan.
The ladies’ first XI had a tough match on Saturday as they hosted second-placed Muckross IV at the Astro Active Centre.
The home side struck with the first play in a physical but entertaining encounter. Enniscorthy elected to tip off, and a swift ball up the right wing followed by a pass straight across the circle found Aoife Mahon who placed the ball in the corner of the goal.
The hosts maintained the early pressure with another attack up the right wing. Ciara Kelly tore through the Muckross defence, finding Nancy Dunphy; her pass in turn found May Wickham, but her shot went narrowly wide.
The visitors then found an attacking gear of their own, with Muckross mounting pressure on the Enniscorthy defence, but great hassling by captain Julie Watchorn prevented the Dublin side getting near Fiona Rothwell’s goal.
Enniscorthy then countered, with a series of precise passes along the back line finding Isabelle Walsh who was fouled, resulting in a penalty corner. Ciara Kelly’s push out found Jessie Flood at the top of the semi circle, but her effort was well saved.
Muckross were not giving up without a fight and earned a penalty corner. Brave running by Leah Chapman intercepted the direct shot but Muckross managed to test goalkeeper Fiona Rothwell, in her first start for the side this season, pulling off a fantastic save to deny the visitors .
The start of the second-half saw a penalty corner awarded to the visitors, but a great stop by Mahon on the line saw them denied once again.
Mindful of the Muckross threat, Enniscorthy were desperate to extend their slender lead. Sonja Rynhart won a great ball up the centre of the field and went straight through to the opposition semi circle, winning a penalty corner, but her shot was unfortunate to go over the post.
Enniscorthy also threatened through Laura O’Leary, with her quick burst up the right wing earning another penalty corner. A quick ball out to the top of the semi circle back to Kelly was unfortunate not to get a connection.
With time ticking by, there were still goal opportunities. Quick passing from the back line of Hannah Graham, Laura Smith, Watchorn and Flood delivered a great ball to midfielder Walsh who shot up the left wing, leaving defenders in her wake and resulting in her being fouled outside the circle.
Walsh – in her second game for the club – intercepted a ball in midfield, leaving a one-on-one with the Muckross goalkeeper but she was unfortunate not to score.
This result still sees Enniscorthy sit on top on the league table with 24 points and a commanding goal difference of +35. Enniscorthy now hold a nine-point lead over Muckross, with Clontarf a further two points back. Saturday sees Donal Doyle’s side travel to north county Dublin and eighth-placed Skerries.
Squad: Fiona Rothwell, Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith, Hannah Graham, Jessie Flood, Ciara Kelly, Leah Chapman, Aoife Mahon, May Wickham, Nancy Dunphy, Sonja Rynhart, Laura O’Leary, Isabelle Walsh.
The Astro Active Centre hosted a blitz on Saturday morning, with first/ second class and third/fourth class girls’ teams from Enniscorthy, Wexford and Gorey all taking part. This weekend coming sees another blitz for the three county Wexford clubs at the Bellefield Road venue.
The Under-14 boys hosted Monkstown A in the second round of the Leinster Cup. Despite a goal from J. Tully, the Dublin side advanced to the semi-final against Weston or Corinthians in the new year on a 3-1 scoreline.
Squad: A. Hill, M. Wallace, D. Murphy, M. Rogan, S. Hendy, B. Smith, J. Murphy, A. Lett, D. Hendy, J. Tully, R. Jones, C. Hill.
The Minor B2 girls’ side had a 1-1 draw at the Astro Active Centre on Sunday with Our Lady’s. The visitors took the lead but a well-worked move finished by Jacqui Kehoe secured the draw for the Slaneysiders.
Second-placed Portrane host Tommy Ryan’s side in their next league encounter, due to be played in late January.
Squad: Kate Freeman, Riona Mahon, Alexi Gillot, Róisín Dillon, Tara Kendrick, Dara O’Leary, Muireann Mur- phy, Niamh O’Leary, Ailbhe Tierney, Sadhbh Ryan, Jacqui Kehoe, Kathleen Henry, Leah Morris, Leah Canavan.
The Under-16 girls travelled to Milltown on Sunday to take on Dublin giants Old Alexandra in the first round of the Junior Jacqui Potter Cup, with Leah Kidd getting the only goal to seal an historic win, successfully navigating the opening round of this competition for the first time.
Sunday sees Suttonians visit the Astro Active Centre for a second round clash.
Squad: Amy Murphy, Rebecca Doyle, Rebecca Ogilvie, Caoimhe Larkin, Niamh Ogilvie, Norah McGinty, Isabelle Walsh, Beibhin O’Brien, Leah Kidd, Tara Somers, Laura Sutton, Ellie Kehoe, Abby Byrne, Martha Dunne, Caoimhe Quigley.
Two rapid-fire second-half goals from Corinthians helped the Dublin side to a 3-2 win over Enniscorthy’s men’s second XI in Division 6 on Saturday.
Five minutes in, the visitors took the lead, but Cian Hogan equalised before half-time.
Glen Rothwell made an amazing triple save to keep the men in red out, but Corinthians scored twice inside three minutes to take a 3-1 lead before Hogan grabbed his second with three minutes remaining.
Squad: Glen Rothwell, Clive Rothwell, Jack Doran, Nigel Bailey, Billy James, Cian Hogan, Jason Rothwell, Graeme Chapman, Eamonn Sweeney, Robbie Walshe, Mark Ennett, Fraser Rothwell.
The men’s second eleven bounced back in style after Saturday’s narrow home defeat when they travelled to Serpentine Avenue to take on Pembroke Wanderers V.
The Dublin 4 side began brightly, finding a way past Glen Rothwell in the Enniscorthy goal with just minutes on the clock, and they held that lead to half-time.
The last ten minutes saw the scoreline turned on its head. First of all a Pembroke free was intercepted,, and two passes between the Enniscorthy attack found Craig Symes, who got the equaliser.
Two minutes later an Enniscorthy counter-attack led to Cian Hogan grabbing his third goal in two days, and with six minutes remaining Leo Durnan ensured all three points would head down the N11 and a 3-1 win.
Squad: Glen Rothwell, Clive Rothwell, Jack Doran, Ivan Rothwell, Cian Hogan, Niall Maguire, Graeme Chapman, Leo Durnan, Mick Jordan, Mark Ennett, Craig Symes.
Enniscorthy’s men’s first XI earned a rare point in a tough, exciting game against table-toppers Three Rock Rovers on Saturday.
Enniscorthy - newly promoted to Leinster’s Division 3 - have struggled to find their feet but after Saturday’s performance they will have learned that with the right tactical approach, they can be the match for the best in their division.
From the first whistle the Dubliners were putting pressure on their visitors. The Wexford men packed their half of the pitch, making it as hard as possible for the Dublin side to find an easy pass.
Dogged defence was needed and the centre back pairing of Glen Chapman and Simmons was well up to the challenge. It was clear from the outset that it was going to be a day to roll up the sleeves and do some tough work.
Midway through the half Three Rock eventually broke the deadlock when Stephen Findlater found himself on the end of a hard pass into the Enniscorthy semi circle, deflecting the ball past goalkeeper and captain Graham Hill.
Donal Doyle’s men were quick to counter-attack through their speed merchants, Dunne and Durnan, who were causing the home side plenty of difficulties. Three Rock, though, remained a threat, with the Dubliners coming very close to doubling their lead when they earned a penalty corner, but despite their best efforts they could not beat Hill as he deflected the shot onto the post and out to safety.
The first-half left Enniscorthy is a strong position. While the visitors had the lion’s share of the possession, it was clear to see that they were the more frustrated side as they could not take full control.
The defence and midfield players for the visitors were sticking to their men and making it as difficult as possible for the league leaders. For the remainer of the second-half the extraordinary workrate of Doyle’s men continued at the same level.
Rynhart almost made it all square from a ball across from Roy Chapman, but his shot went narrowly wide. With five minutes to go Enniscorthy threw caution to the wind and went all out in search of an equaliser.
It was to be left right to the death before they could break down the Three Rock Rovers defence, when Enniscorthy were awarded a long corner with 24 seconds left.
They had to act fast and they did, as a reverse stick pass in from Andrew Rothwell found Roy Chapman who used 3D skill to get the ball past his opposite number and to the waiting Rynhart who took no time in splitting the posts as he struck the ball on the volley, beating the Dubliners’ defence with just one second left on the clock. Doyle and his men went out with a plan, stuck to it - and it paid off.
Enniscorthy’s focus will now turn to a double-header next weekend as they welcome Weston 1 to Enniscorthy for league action on Saturday, and Bray 1 on Sunday for a cup game.
Enniscorthy: Graham Hill, David Simmons, Andrew Rothwell, Ivan Rothwell, Glen Chapman, Roy Chapman, Niall Maguire, Aodán O’Leary, Seb Rynhart, William Durnan, Charlie Dunne, Jacob English, Craig Symes. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
Enniscorthy’s ladies’ third eleven were also in action on Sunday, drawing 1-1 with Wexford II at the Astro Active Centre, with Lisa Frayne goaling for the Cathedral town side.
Squad: Brigid Kehoe, Catherine Oakes, Hayley Squire, Fiona Rothwell, Jane Peppard, Linda Durnan, Irene Doyle, Lisa Frayne, Melanie Ní Dhuinn, Muireann Nic Corcráin, Emily Waldron.