Enniscorthy rugby round-up for February

With the return of rugby in the middle of January, the month of February was filled with games from both the senior team and the J1s of Enniscorthy Rugby Club.

First, the J1s hosted Lansdowne on the 4th in Alcast Park, losing 36-17. Tries from Miguel Byrne and John Nolan in the second half gave Enniscorthy a glimmer of hope of a comeback, but a relentless attack from the visitors saw them score six tries in a convincing win.

The following Saturday, the 12th, saw the seniors travel up to Magherafelt to face Rainey Old Boys, the game that was called off in January due to the snow in Derry.

Despite a valiant effort, they were unable to pick up the win on away soil, losing 26 to 20. Tries from Nick Doyle, MJ Doyle and Ben Kidd kept Enniscorthy in the game until a Rainey try late in the game cemented their win.

Then, on the 19th, they once again had a serious commute on their hands, travelling to Deramore Park in Belfast to face the Belfast Harlequins.

Nick Doyle got on the score sheet again with a try, alongside Peadar O’Mahony, but Belfast were able to put the Enniscorthy defence under pressure throughout the game, with the hosts winning 20-16.

To close out the month for the seniors, their last game in February was in front of the Enniscorthy faithful, hosting second place Galway Corinthians on the 25th.

After going down 17-0 within the first 15 minutes of the game, Enniscorthy dominated the remaining 65, coming back to win 26 to 24. Tries from Nick Doyle, Dominik Morycki, Timmy Morrissey and a late try from Angelo Todisco gave the hosts the upset win, a win that they hope will give them momentum going into March.

The J1s finished off their March fixtures on the 26th against Portlaoise in the second round of the Provincial Towns Cup, winning 31 to 19. Tries from Mel Doyle, Kevin O’Connor, Killian Creed and Ciaran Doyle, along with three penalties from Fiachra Hourihane gave Enniscorthy a 12 point win and a place in the third round.

For the month of March, we start off with a game on Thursday the 2nd of March against Blackrock College for the J1s in the Metro League Division 2.

The seniors then travel to Tyrone to face Dungannon in AIL 2B on Saturday the 4th.

The J1s are back out two days after St Patrick’s Day to face Tullow in the third round of the Towns’ Cup on the 19th, before the seniors close out the month with a game on the 25th against Malahide at home at Alcast Park. n