Brilliant success for Wexford at Carlow blitz

WEXFORD TRAVELLED to the Carlow G.A.A. grounds for the Leinster Under-14 ‘A’ ladies’ football blitz recently.

They entered two teams, and Wexford ‘A’ were placed in Division 1 with Dublin 1, Dublin 2, Kildare and Westmeath.

Despite losing their third game to the Lilywhites (2-5 to 0-2), Wexford beat both Dublin sides (5-5 to nil against the seconds, 2-2 to 0-3 against the first team) and Westmeath (4-3 to 0-2) to advance to the final.

It was Wexford and Kildare again in the decider, with a big improvement to be seen.

In a very close, entertaining game, the Slaneysiders came out on top to claim the Division 1 title on a scoreline of 4-1 to 2-5.

Wexford: Evelyn Burke (Blackwater), Nicole Gillen (Shelmalier), Amy Tobin-Cosgrave (Clonee), Robyn O’Connor (Glynn-Barntown), Cora McGrath (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Karen Tomkins (Clonee), Leah Furlong (Adamstown), Caoilfhionn Ní Núalláin (Ballygarrett), Róisín Hughes (Kilanerin), Leiah O’Rourke (Sarsfields), Elle Nugent (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Megan Dee (Taghmon-Camross), Imogen Deas (St. Martin’s), Gráinne Ní Ailín (Glynn-Barntown), Erin Carley (Starlights), Aobhe Manley (Shelmalier), Caitlin Garnett (Glynn-Barntown), Sinéad Roche (Adamstown), Priya Daly-O’Toole (Castletown), Aoibhe MacSweeney (Clonee), Katie Law (Clonard/Volunteers), Martha Kavanagh (Castletown), Saidhbhe Byrne (Kilanerin).

Mentors: Bernadette Nugent (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Aaron O’Neill (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Nicholas Delahunthy (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy) and manager Peter O’Brien (Bannow-Ballymitty).

The Wexford seconds were placed in Division 3 with Westmeath 2, Dublin 4 and Louth.

The Slaneysiders edged Westmeath by a point (2-6 to 2-5) and drew with Dublin (4-7 to 5-4).

Wexford and Louth met in the final, and after a tight first-half it was Wexford ahead by two points.

A great battle with the two teams matching each other score for score ensued, and eventually Louth came out on top on a scoreline of 3-4 to 2-3.

The girls put up a great fight and didn’t get the rub of the green in the decider, but there will be plenty more opportinites to win finals in the future.

Wexford: Kiva Kinsella (Kilanerin), Amy Doyle (Clonee), Aisling Ryan (Gusserane), Ann Rossiter (Bannow-Ballymitty), Niamh Cullen (Blackwater), Aoife Farrell (Bunclody), Kennedy Cullen (Kilmore), Katie English (Adamstown), Ava White-Keating (St. James’), Eabha Cullen (Gusserane), Winnie Rath (Kilmore), Eimear Fortune (Kilmore), Emer O’Connor (Clonard/Volunteers), Zoe Tobin-Cosgrave (Clonee), Aisling Murphy (Crossabeg-Ballymurn), Aoife Devereux (St. Fintan’s), Niamh English (Adamstown), Isobel English (Adamstown), Eimear Halpin (Crossabeg-Ballymurn).

Mentors: Shane Murphy (Starlights), Jenny O’Brien (Clongeen), Aisling Carley (Starlights) and manager Peter O’Brien (Bannow-Ballymitty).

Peter would also like to thank Niamh Devereux (St. Fintan’s) for all her help with this team, and to all parents who came up to support the girls.