Enniscorthy’s Kelly kicks winner
ENNISCORTHY KEPT the pressure on leaders Ashbourne in the Leinster seconds league Division 1 with a hard-fought 3-0 success away to Bective on the back pitch in Donnybrook on Saturday.
One would have anticipated a free-flowing, fast game between these sides. However, this was not the case as Enniscorthy were made to work very hard to come away with the points.
The first-half started with Enniscorthy playing with the gale force at their backs and it didn’t take long for them to gain good field position and earn a kickable penalty, which Jack Kelly popped over the bar with ease.
Enniscorthy then dominated possession for the remainder of the half but just couldn’t make the final pass stick in order to add to their lead.
Bective started the second-half as if they were determined to take the game to Enniscorthy and got some good field position on the back of the strong wind.
Some good work in defence throughout the first 20 minutes of the half allowed Enniscorthy to keep Bective at bay.
Bective owned the ball for the last 20 minutes of the half and only a tremendously brave defensive performance from Enniscorthy kept them from scoring.
When Bective were awarded a kickable penalty during the last play of the game, Enniscorthy hearts sank.
However, they chose to kick for the corner and from the resulting kick they put the ball dead. A huge sigh of relief emanated from Enniscorthy as they got the victory to keep them in with a chance of the league title.
In what was a very tough game for Enniscorthy, it was through sheer determination and bravery that they got the victory.
A special mention must go to Theo Chevalier who was making his debut for Enniscorthy from France, putting himself about the field and putting in some great tackles.
The seconds have a two-week break now before resuming their season in the Towns Cup away to Clane. A good performance here will put them right on the road to some silverware this season.
Enniscorthy: Murt Kehoe, Jamie Barron, Conal Kavanagh, Stephen Hadley, Oisín Cullen, Fiacre Ryan, Alan Jacob, Jim White, Billy Wickham, Jack Kelly, Mel Doyle, Ronan Doyle, Hughie O’Neill, Adam Gethings, David Shore. Subs. (all used) Ronnie White, Pat Doyle, Theo Chevalier, Brendan Kearney, Mick Farrell.