Sport

Proudly supporting the Shamrocks

O'Callaghan’s Centra proudly presenting the Shamrocks Hurling & Football Club’s U-9 team with their new jersies.

All-Ireland Champions

Congrats to Sarah Figgis and Aoife McCrea of the Rapparees/ Starlights on their recent All-Ireland camogie success with the county.

Looking pretty in

The Enniscorthy Golf Club Charity Weekend on 26th and 27th Sept was a great success with everyone entering into the spirit of the event. Over €10,000 was raised which will be divided between Breast Cancer Research and It's Good to Talk.

Fortune favours the brave

Enniscorthy native Joe Fortune has been appointed as Westmeath’s new hurling manager, succeeding Shane O’Brien, and marking his first foray into senior intercounty management. The Dublin-based Fortune is taking charge for an initial twoyear term with the option of a third year, as the Joe McDonagh Cup champions prepare for life back among the Liam MacCarthy Cup heavyweights in 2022. Westmeath were relegated to Division 2A following a winless top-flight league campaign this spring, but victory in the Joe McDonagh Cup final secured their return to the Leinster championship for the 2022 season. Fortune is a native of Enniscorthy but is more closely associated with hurling in the capital where he has left an indelible imprint, steering Dublin to Leinster titles at minor level (2007) and U-21 (2016). More recently he managed Ballyboden St Enda’s to the 2018 Dublin senior hurling crown, but he stepped down from the Boden hotseat in the wake of last year’s county final defeat to Cuala.

This year he was part of James Sheil’s Wexford U-20 management team.

n pink!

Declan Lyons and Deirdre Kavanagh won Best Dressed Pink Gent and Lady.

President's (Jim Byrne) Prize to the Ladies which was held on 28th Sept. Top pic: Lady Captain Meta Cummins, President Jim Byrne and Teresa Bailey (2nd). Above: Lady Captain Meta Cummins, Ciara Sharkey (Gross) and President Jim Byrne. Below: Lady Captain Meta Cummins, Aine O'Connell (1st) and President Jim Byrne.

If Carlsberg did C

If Carlsberg did County Finals, then the recent Senior Hurling Final at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday 19th September would be it. Basking in glorious September sunshine, the Covid-restricted attendance enjoyed what could only be described as Champagne hurling as Rapparees defeated St. Annes on a scoreline of 6.18 to 1.17, to end the famine lingering long in Enniscorthy since 1978. A victory, some would say, ordained in the Heavens, as captain Kevin Foley lifted the Cup and ended the years of anguish and despair suffered by followers of the Red and Green. Following their first Senior title in 1978, Rapparees teams have floundered at the final hurdle on several occasions, beaten by Cloughbawn in a replay in 1993, by Rathnure in 1996 and 1998 and by the Faythe Harriers in 2001, before experiencing the barren wasteland of the past twenty years as they struggled to get back to former glory. It would be only fair to point out that during that period of hurling drought our footballers, the Starlights, won four Senior County Football titles in 2002, 2004, 2017 and last year 2020 and indeed our hurlers were contesting semi-finals along the way falling narrowly short of the finishing line. But on County Final Sunday, after the first ten minutes of the game, where St. Annes appeared to be marginally on top, Rapparees simply moved up a gear and completely stole the show from

County Finals...

then until the final whistle sounded to the delight of the Enniscorthy town fans. And a show indeed it was, despite the fact that it was a one-sided affair from almost half-time. It was compelling viewing for spectators, as Rapparees put on a display of classic hurling seldom seen on County Final days, ending with the highest score ever in a final and, to their credit, the Annes never gave up and never stopped trying. The years of pain and hurt were erased from the hearts and minds of the Bellefield faithful, as their heroes, one to fifteen and those introduced as substitutes, lifted the twenty-year siege with as fine a display as ever witnessed on Wexford’s green fields. The men of 2021, led by captain Kevin Foley and managed by Declan Skippy Ruth, Gareth Kavanagh and Brian Kehoe, who themselves had lost several county finals as players, secured their place forever in club history. Never in the future, will hurling be talked about at Bellefield, home of the Rapparees/Starlights and now home of the Senior hurling and football champions, without mention of the team of 2021. Their outstanding victory has lifted, not just the Rapparees, but the entire town of Enniscorthy, emerging as it is from the depths of pandemic. G`wan the Rapps!

– Words by Maria Nolan and pics by Maria Nolan and PJ Howlin

Congratulations to Slaney Olympic’s Anne Gilshinan on setting yet another national record last month. Anne competed in the 5k at Le Cheile athletics track and set a new National Record (F55) in a time of 18:12.42. Rapparees captain Kevin Foley celebrates the club’s recent county final success with family and friends.

Grants Pharmacy –supporting the stars of the future

Grants Pharmacy has very kindly sponsored beautiful new jerseys for the Rapparees camogie girls. The club would also like to mention Brian Walsh Hurleys for the excellent design. All the girls put in brilliant performances this year in all their games helped by their wonderful coaches and mentors especially Seamus Doyle and Colm Sunderland who are doing trojan work with the ladies section. The club certainly has a lot to look forward to for the future. n

MY SPORT SUMMER LEAGUE RECAP

The My Sport Summer League came to an official end last month with the Annual Summer League BBQ. Slaney Olympic is celebrating 30 years as a club in 2021, and the 2021 Summer League was definitely one for the record books. For starters, hosting the Summer League in compliance with Covid-19 proved challenging, but Jessie O’Connor (League Organiser) and his team got creative and pulled it off. All the races were moved to Enniscorthy, masks were worn, pods were created and for those who could not make the races, they had the option of running the course over the weekend.

In the end, there were nine teams comprising five to six members: The Moyne, Abbey Square, Milehouse, Carley’s Bridge, Market Square, Templeshannon, Bohreen Hill, Vinegar Hill and The Still. Over 50 Slaney Olympic members participated in the My Sport Summer League and many of those who ran each race improved their times with each successive race. The league races were: 1 Mile, Old Dublin Road (21 May); 5K, Dublin Road (4 June); 2 Miles, Clonhaston (2 July); 1 Mile, Enniscorthy Sports Hub (9 July); 2 Miles, Clonhaston (30 July); 5K, Enniscorthy Bypass (20 August) and Team Relays, Enniscorthy Sports Hub (2 September). From the start of the My Sport Summer League, Vinegar Hill operated on all cylinders having led the league table from start to finish. Vinegar Hill dominated most of the races having won five of the seven races and finished the league with 18 points, well ahead of the nearest competition. However, the real battle throughout the league was for second place, which ultimately came down to three teams: Carley’s Bridge, Bohreen Hill and Templeshannon. This battle could not have gotten much closer as Carley’s Bridge finished second with 25 points, Bohreen Hill finished third with 26 points and Templeshannon finished fourth with 28 points. Throughout the league, it looked like the battle was only between Carley’s Bridge and Bohreen Hill, but Templeshannon kept within striking distance but ultimately kept it too late to make its move. Unfortunately, the second-place finish in the Team Relays was not enough to get back in the mix. Market Square was able to blow past The Still for a fifth-place finish (37 points). After the second race, it looked like Market Square was destined to be the basement dweller of the league as it found itself dead last. However, after a few respectable races, it was able to battle back to mid-table. The Still on the other hand, looked like it was going to be a strong team, having finished in the top four three times. After Race 5, The Still was only two points off Templeshannon but faded from there adding a staggering 17 points over the last two races ultimately finishing in sixth place with 41 points. The three teams that could not pull off a Market Square were Milehouse (42 points), Abbey Square (47 points) and The Moyne (51 points). These three teams were at the bottom of the table after Race 3 and virtually remained unchanged throughout the League, although Abbey Square was able to get Denis Whelan back for the last race after injury and was able to move out of ninth place. Special Thanks: Covid-19 has had an impact on all elements of society and athletics is no different. This year more than any other year, the Slaney Olympic Winter League and Summer League were key to athletes getting out and competing again. The ability to hold leagues are only possible because of the strong support from club members and others in the community. One such organisation that has been a steadfast supporter of Slaney Olympic AC and athletics in Enniscorthy is My Sport. John O’Leary at My Sport generously donated prizes for the Winter League and stepped up again for the Summer League and donated €400 in gift vouchers, these vouchers were given to members of the top three teams. In addition to My Sport, the Summer League would not be possible without the dedication of the My Sport Summer League Organiser (Jessie O’Connor). Jessie not only serves as the Men’s Captain / Coach for Slaney Olympic, but he also tirelessly gives his time to Wexford Athletics and is currently running a marathon a week for charity. A lot of time and effort goes into managing and planning the Summer League and every member is truly thankful for all the hard work Jessie puts into this league and the weekly training programmes. Other special thanks should be extended to Paul Browne, Paul Murphy and Esther O’Leary, who assisted Jessie with putting on the My Sport Summer League races. Additionally, these races are not possible without marshals who ensure that runners are safe out on the course. Finally, a special shout-out should be given to Enda Waters who wrote brilliant race recaps this summer. Membership: With winter closing in, perhaps now is the time to challenge yourself by running. Training is held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-8pm at the Enniscorthy Sports Hub. If you are interested in joining the Club, why not go along for a training session. For further information, please contact Enda Waters (Registrar) or Paul Browne (Chairperson) via the Club’s Facebook Messenger. n