Towns Cup bye for champions

’Scorthy avoid first round

GIVEN the hectic nature of their season, holders Enniscorthy RFC will be happy to have received a bye to the second round of the Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup.

When the draw was made in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening during the Leinster/Bath European Cup game, Enniscorthy were joined with second round byes by Ashbourne RFC and Wicklow RFC.

Despite three of the big names missing the reality is the first round has thrown up some mouth-watering games particularly involving the three remaining County Wexford clubs who have also been handed home venue which should leave them with a realistic chance of advancing through to the second round draw.

While Wexford Wanderers are operating down in a low division in the league, which is poles apart from top flight rugby, the reality is they will look to their home clash with Roscrea with a degree of confidence.

Performing well in the league, pushing for promotion, while they will realise this to be a real step up given Roscrea’s fine cup tradition, this young Wanderers side are capable of causing an upset.

Gorey RFC challenging Enniscorthy at the top of Division 1 will entertain Portlaoise RFC at Coolattin.

Producing quality performances in the league, their only blip been defeat to Enniscorthy a few weeks back, Gorey showed their pedigree by bouncing back with victories to maintain the pressure on their county rivals.

Such has been their displays, coupled with their consistency, they look a formidable cup side, with their game against a highly rated Portlaoise outfit one of the highlights of the first round draw.

Consistency has been somewhat of a problem for New Ross RFC but they have been presented with a real opportunity to give their season a real uplift with a first round home game against Boyne RFC.

You could hold your hands up and say each of the County Wexford clubs have a realistic chance of advancing through to the second round draw joining Enniscorthy, so it will make for an interesting day of rugby.

First Round Draw:

Wexford Wanderers v Roscrea RFC; Gorey RFC v Portlaoise RFC; Tullow RFC v Mullingar RFC; Tullamore 2nds v Navan 2nds; County Carlow FC v Kilkenny RFC; Longford RFC v Cill Dara RFC; Arklow RFC v Midlands Warriors RFC; Clondalkin RFC v Balbriggan RFC; Naas RFC v North Kildare RFC; New Ross RFC v Boyne RFC; Skerries 2nds v Newbridge RFC; Athy RFC v Dundalk RFC; Edenderry RFC v Portarlington RFC.

Byes: Enniscorthy RFC, Ashbourne RFC, Wicklow RFC.

First round games to be played on January 20.

Eoin O’Brien, Geraldine-O’Hanrahan’s most improved player at under-11, and Robbie Kehoe, under-11’s player of the year, Diarmuid O’Keeffe and trainers Dave McCarthy and Niall Carroll.

Geraldine O’Hanrahans’ under-7 and under-9s with Diarmuid O’Keeffe and trainer Ger Feeney at the club’s Coiste na nÓg awards. Photos: Mary Browne

Killian Murphy, under-15 most improved hurler, Liam Walsh, under-15 player of the year, special guest Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Ryan Gardiner, under-15 hurler of the year, and Adam Walsh, under-15 most improved footballer at the Geraldine-O’Hanrahans Coiste na nÓg awards.

Leinster’s Sean O’Brien pulls Gorey RFC from the drum during the Towns Cup draw last weekend.

A determined looking Peter Dooley pulls out Wexford Wanderers.

Leinster’s Dooley removes New Ross from the drum.