CLUB CALL
S.B.R. A.C.
The first weekend in December proved a busy one, with the Waterford half-marathon on Saturday and the Wexford Intermediate cross-country on Sunday.
The S.B.R. women were once again at the forefront with some very strong performances in addition to some good runs from the men.
At the Waterford half-marathon, Ciara Bowe led the charge for the women with a brilliant time of 1:37:51. That run placed Ciara second out of the 14 S.B.R. runners, both men and women.
Myles Gibbons led the S.B.R. men home in 1:21:15 for 53rd overall. Belinda Kehoe also turned in a fine time of 1:43:50, and Tom Kavanagh had a very strong age category result amongst other very good S.B.R. runs, including Sharon Murphy who was under the weather.
Full results: 53, Myles Gibbons, 1:21:15; 474, Ciara Bowe, 1:37:51; 701, Belinda Kehoe, 1:43:50; 1,308, Christine Hill, 1:56:01; 1,340, Claire Gibbons, 1:56:39; 1,456, Robert Doyle, 1:58:34; 1,603, Patrick Crean, 2:01:24; 1,795, Seán Byrne, 2:07:18; 1,908, Frances O’Hagan, 2:10:31; 2,116, Mairéad O’Neill, 2:19:09; 2,225, Robert Brownrigg, 2:27:03; 2,291, Tom Kavanagh, 2:37:07; 2,295, Stephen O’Leary, 2:38:40; 2,304, Sharon Murphy, 2:39:37.
Also on Saturday, Ryan Gleeson was a brilliant third overall in a big P.B. at the Gorey Parkrun in 20:45.
On Sunday, Lillian Lawless was the S.B.R. star of the day. Lillian has returned to top form and won Intermediate bronze in a good field. She used a good strong pace throughout and was able to move well clear of the pack to secure a podium finish.
On the men’s side, Denis Moynihan led S.B.R. with a twelfth place finish, followed by David Leonard in 17th.
Dara Cloake had a very strong finishing kick as S.B.R’s third runner in 20th, followed by Tomás Kavanagh in 22nd.
Niall O’Connor and Jim O’Malley rounded out the S.B.R. finishers in 24th and 25th. S.B.R’s men’s team was a disappointing fifth overall but it didn’t put a damper on the year’s accomplishments.
Full S.B.R. information and Wexford Intermediate cross-country results are available at www.sbrclub.com
GOREY HOCKEY
Saturday saw Rathgar come to Enniscorthy to take on Gorey in their latest league match.
Rathgar took tip but were quickly dispossessed by the Gorey pack. Attacking up the right side, Gorey entered Rathgar’s circle for the first time and won the first penalty corner.
A pre-planned corner saw Gorey switch the ball right where Nicola Ryan took a direct shot on goal to open the scoring.
Rathgar re-started the game and made their way into Gorey’s half. Entering Gorey’s circle, Rathgar took a shot but ‘keeper Fiona Mythen cleared the ball out wide to Vicky Hughes.
Vicky took the ball up left field and entered Rathgar’s circle where Muireann Deegan tapped it in to double Gorey’s lead.
Rathgar re-started once more, losing possession, and Gorey won another short corner. Using one of their training ground moves, Gorey switched the ball to Nicola Ryan who converted to give the home team a 3-0 lead.
Gorey finished out the half with another score from Ailbhe Booth with a direct hit from just inside the circle which deflected off the ‘keeper’s pads into the back of the net.
Gorey took push back to re-start the match. Spreading the ball wide, Gorey attacked Rathgar’s goal repeatedly. Ailbhe Booth, Muireann Deegan and Gráinne Waters all added their names to the scoreboard from open play.
Gorey ran out convincing winners with a nine-goal tally. The defence held strong and kept another clean sheet.
Next up, Gorey play Muckross in the cup on December 8.
Team: Fiona Mythen (capt.), Vicky Hughes, Gillian Bailey, Bridget Kenny, Corrine Bailey, Nicola Ryan (2), Ruth Evans, Sarah Merrigan, Robyn Swords, Muireann Deegan (3), Ailbhe Booth (3), Zoe Kenny, Olive McGarry, Gráinne Waters (1), Sadhbh Corcoran.
E’CORTHY HOCKEY
Enniscorthy’s first ladies’ hockey team made the lengthy journey early Saturday morning to play Skerries seconds.
It was a slow start for the Slaneysiders, finding it hard to connect their passes together. After settling down however, they began troubling the Skerries defence on numerous occasions.
The forward three of Sonja Rynhart, and debutants Faye Codd and Eimear Doyle, were making great runs out wide, giving the midfielders plenty of good options.
After eight minutes of better play from Enniscorthy, a penalty corner was won. After a scuffle at the top of the circle, Enniscorthy finally got the ball into the back of the net with a tap-in on the back post from Laura Smith.
The ladies were straight back piling the pressure on the Dubliners’ defence, with another goal coming straight after from Nancy Dunphy.
The Slaneysiders were starting to get into their stride, with Ciara Kelly making some great defence-splitting passes. Another penalty corner was won for the Enniscorthy ladies, with captain Julie Watchorn making it 3-0.
Centre mid Niamh Ogilvie was opening up the Skerries defence, with some lovely individual skill making chances for the forwards. With the introduction of Tara Somers and Hannah Sweeney, there were some near misses for the Enniscorthy ladies.
Eimear Doyle was next on the scoresheet with a beautiful push into the bottom right-hand corner. After a lapse in concentration in the Slaneysiders’ defensive line, Skerries capitalised by scoring their first goal.
This didn’t stop the Wexford side, with Ciara Kelly slotting home another goal. Enniscorthy continued to move the ball well with some lovely passages of play between left back Aoife Mahon and Sonja Rynhart.
Niamh Ogilvie slotted home another goal after some beautiful inter-play up the right-hand side of the pitch between May Wickham and Ciara Kelly. Half-time arrived with Enniscorthy leading 6-1.
There was no stopping this Enniscorthy side, with player of the match Faye Codd showing off her striking skills with another goal. However, this seemed to kick-start the Skerries team, with some serious pressure being put on the south-east side’s defence.
After four successive penalty corners to the home team, they finally got a second goal with a volley past the Enniscorthy defence and into the net.
The Slaneysiders didn’t let this slow them down, with a final goal coming from Niamh Ogilvie after a fantastically worked penalty corner routine.
Enniscorthy ladies came home with all three points in the bag, leaving them sitting nicely in first place of Division 7. This sets them up nicely for next week’s cup game against Weston in the Astro Active Centre.
Enniscorthy: Norah McGinty, Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith, Aoife Mahon, May Wickham, Niamh Ogilvie, Ciara Kelly, Nancy Dunphy, Sonja Rynhart, Faye Codd, Eimear Doyle, Tara Somers, Hannah Sweeney, Caoimhe Larkin.
Enniscorthy second ladies’ team travelled to Dublin on Sunday to take on U.C.D. After scoring an early opening goal from Hannah Sweeney, Enniscorthy were forced to work hard to hold on to their lead and hold on for the win as U.C.D. came back strong.
Enniscorthy: Alice Medcalf, Ellen Creed, Áine O’Brien, Ellen Rogan, Megan Dempsey, Eleanor Bolger, Amy Dalton, Alice Kelly, Laura Redmond, Hannah Sweeney, Hannah Neville, Ciara Parnell.
It was a busy weekend for the first hockey men of Enniscorthy as they took on Weston firsts on Saturday in a league encounter, followed by Bray firsts in cup action on Sunday.
In the early stages of the Weston game it was even, with both teams having good possession of the ball and creating chances. However, the Dublin side were first on the score card when they were awarded a penalty corner, which they took full advantage of.
Enniscorthy continued about their work and the full team put in great effort, but it wasn’t going the way of the Slaneysiders, as Weston scored a second.
This didn’t put Enniscorthy down as within a few minutes they were on the score card themselves through Dunne.
The second-half was scoreless despite the best efforts of both sides, and the game finished with all three points going back to Weston.
In cup action on Sunday, the team played a much-improved game when they welcomed Division 2 side Bray firsts to Enniscorthy.
As they were playing a team from a division above them, they played with a similar gameplan as they had the previous week with Three Rock Rovers. The tactics worked wonders for the first-half, with Bray becoming frustrated and finding it hard to find a free man to pass the ball to as the Slaneysiders were sticking very tight to their opposition.
Bray did eventually break the deadlock when they were awarded a penalty corner which they duly scored. Enniscorthy came back and scored their own goal from a penalty corner through Ivan Rothwell.
The Wexford men came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Durnan made a beautiful break and rounded the ’keeper, but unfortunately his shot hit the upright.
Enniscorthy stuck to their gameplan for the second-half but Bray’s skill and fresher legs - as they had not played a game on Saturday - saw them score twice in the half despite the best efforts of the home side. Enniscorthy can be proud of their play and effort they put in.
They now turn their focus back to league action as they travel to Wesley College this Saturday to take on Y.M.C.A.
Enniscorthy: Graham Hill, David Simmons, Andrew Rothwell, Ivan Rothwell, Glen Chapman, Roy Chapman, Niall Maguire, Aodán O’Leary, Seb Rynhart, William Durnan, Charlie Dunne, Cian Hogan, Jacob English. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
The Under-14 ‘A’ boys went down 2-0 at home to a very clinical Three Rock Rovers side, with both goals coming from penalty corners.
Enniscorthy: A. Hill, J. Tully, M. Rogan, B. Smith, M. Wallace, D. Murphy, A. Lett, R. Jones, S. Hendy, D. Hendy, A. Graham, C, Bailey.
The Under-16 boys went down 6-3 in their first game of the season, which was a cup encounter against Three Rock Rovers.
Enniscorthy: R. Jowett, A. Stewart, W. Sutton, R. Wallace, M. Rogan, M. Wallace, J. Tully, L. Durnan, E. Williamson, E. Jacob, N. Kehoe, B. Redmond, B. Walshe.
Enniscorthy Under-16 girls hosted Suttonians in the Junior Jacqui Potter Cup second round on Sunday. With the prize of a quarter-final place up for grabs, Enniscorthy started at a high tempo and, with the midfield of Leah Kidd, Abby Byrne and Niamh Ogilvie controlling possession, they took the the game to Suttonians and created countless chances, with Isabel Walsh, Amy Murphy and Caoimhe Larkin all going close.
However, despite numerous circle entries, Enniscorthy were finding it difficult to break down a stubborn Suttonians defence. Half-time arrived with the game still scoreless.
Following some positional changes at half-time, the home side started the second-half with the same high tempo and, 15 minutes in, following good work up the left by Niamh Ogilvie and Eabha Farrell, Rebecca
Ogilvie unleashed a back stick shot from the edge of the semi circle which flew into the top corner to break the deadlock.
Once the goal went in, Enniscorthy relaxed and took complete control, and livewire forward Isabel Walsh doubled the score with a fantastic individual goal with seven minutes left.
Enniscorthy now are in the hat for the quarter-final of this prestigious competition for the first time in the club’s history.
Enniscorthy: Norah McGinty, Beibhinn O’Brien, Rebecca Doyle, Rebecca Ogilvie, Ellie Kehoe, Abby Byrne, Niamh Ogilvie, Leah Kidd, Caoimhe Larkin, Isabelle Walsh, Amy Murphy, Tara Somers, Eabha Farrell, Laura Sutton, Caoimhe Quigley.
The Under-14 girls travelled to Dalkey on Saturday where they won 4-2 away, with goals from
Gabrielle Hill and a hat-trick from Emer Kervick.
Enniscorthy: A. Dunne, E. Kervick, R. Bowe, K. Peoples, R. Jacob, L. Kelly, A. Oakes, A. Walsh, S. Williamson, H. Rothwell, G. Hill.
CROGHAN A.C.
The final round of the fantastic Juvenile winter league took place at The Hub, Enniscorthy, on Friday.
Two of Croghan’s younger Ju- veniles took part. Very well done to Samhradh Ní Thóibín who came a brilliant fourth pace in her race, and to Evan Hall who ran very well in a very competitive race.
Big thanks go to all at Menapians A.C. for organising the league, and to all who helped out in any way to make the league happen.
Saturday saw Gary Doyle taking on an incredible 13th half-marathon this year. Gary smashed his personal challenge for the year of a half-marathon a month, and he threw in plenty of P.B’s along the way, including in the Gorey Parkrun 5k and the Dublin Marathon 42k!
It was great to see Ailish back to competitive running, taking on the Waterford half and running a fabulous sub-two hour half. Gary finished in 1:46:22, and Ailish in 1:55:52.
It was a Croghan AC 1-2 at the Gorey Parkrun in the town park, with Jesse Foley taking a very impressive first place. Joe Breen was in great form, taking second place and proving that the speed training works well. Both men clocked a sub-20 minute 5k.
Clodagh Kelly was first lady home with a super P.B. Mary Doyle was fourth lady home and also recorded a brilliant P.B. She had Aileen Wall hot on her heels, putting in another great performance.
Thanks to the Croghan A.C. volunteers at the Parkrun - Aileen Wall, Joe Breen and Malcolm Byrne - without whom the event could not have taken place.
In a bit of Parkrun tourism, Suzanne Keane took part in the Castlebar Parkrun, coming home third lady and bagging a P.B. for this course as well.
There was county individual gold for Croghan athlete Mark Poole at the Intermediate cross-country in Ferns on Sunday. Mark fought off stiff competition from United Striders athlete Brendan Lyng. The pair broke away from the field early on in the race, with Mark digging deep in the final lap to take the gold.
Mark also led the men’s team home to take the silver county team medal, with Brian Maher, Alex Williams and Derek Malone making up the team. This was brilliant running from the lads, with a special mention to Derek who is injured but still ran his heart out for the team.
In the ladies’ race, Majella Boland was the sole Croghan representative once again. Majella ran a great race over the 4k and is really embracing the mud this year in her return to county races.
Big thanks to Majella who stayed on to support the lads, and to Joe Breen who made the trip to Ferns to shout everyone on in their races.
Thanks also to S.B.R. for hosting another very well-organised event.
SLANEY C.C.
Slaney Cycling Club held its A.G.M. recently in the Riverside Hotel, and it was attended by a large number of its members.
Yearly financial, social, racing and touring section reports were given that showed the club to be in a very good position going into 2019.
The previous committee was dissolved and a new committee for the coming year formed.
Kevin Davitt will act as Chairman in a temporary capacity, as well as Secretary. Bernie Whelan will be the new Treasurer.
The following members will form the new committee: Mark Bowkett, Derek Doyle, John Busher, Larry McDonald, Liam Harmon, Marie Cullen, Matt Seebach, Phil Skelton and Rob Webster.
Slaney C.C. would like to express its sincere thanks to Rob Webster and Murry McDonald who stepped down from their roles as Chairman and Treasurer respectively, and to retiring committee members Joe Fortune, Billy Harris and Peter McGowan for their help throughout the year.