Sport

Enniscorthy track –running behind schedule!

The first phase of the Enniscorthy Sports Hub consisting of an international standard running track was constructed in 2015. Phase 2 of the project consisting of a sports equipment storage area, changing rooms, toilets, showers and a small office was granted funding of €300,000 from the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport in 2020 with construction work due to start in late 2021. That timeline is unfortunately well behind schedule. We understand now that approval of tender documents has been received from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, so Wexford County Council can now proceed to tender later this month. The Sports Hub facility is being well used by individuals and sports clubs around the county who appreciate the benefits of this international-standard facility here in Enniscorthy. n

Rapparees/Starlights Presentation

Above: Chairman Ger McVeigh, Senior hurling Manager Declan Ruth and Senior Football Manager Anthony Russell. Below: Chairman Ger McVeigh and Hurling Manager Declan Ruth present framed photo of Senior Hurling Champions 2021 to Club Sponsor Sam McCauley. Pics: Maria Nolan. See more on pages 102-103.

Jim O’Brien, from SPAR Blackwater, presenting John Murray from Wexford Swimming Club with a cheque for €1,000 as part of the SPAR Honour Your Mentor initiative, which was launched by Kellie Harrington to stimulate community spirit and recognise local heroes like John in communities all around Ireland.

Shamrock Rovers Youths reach Final

On 27th March, Enniscorthy’s Shamrock Rovers Youths travelled to Dundalk to take on Walshestown FC in the Leinster Youths Cup semi-final, securing a superb victory by 4-1. Unfortunately the club were beaten in the Leinster Final on that same scoreline by St Joseph’s AFC, Sallynoggin. A great achievement nonetheless by Shamrock Rovers Youths to reach that final. n

Look out for the special tribute video to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nickey Rackard. It was published on all Wexford GAA social media channels on April 28th (Rackard's birthday). Great credit due to all involved in the making of it.

Croke Park is world’s first age-friendly stadium!

Croke Park was recently announced as the first Age Friendly stadium in the world.

Wexford was represented at the event by Cathaoirleach Barbara-Anne Murphy, Mayor Garry Laffan, WCC Age Friendly Programme Manager Ann Marie Laffan, Wexford Older People’s Council Chairperson Kevin Molloy and Wexford Age Friendly Ambassador Tony Dempsey.

The stadium has improved its accessibility, including access routes, accessible seating and signage. In addition it has committed to delivering age-friendly training for staff as well as discounted tickets for older fans. Older people form a large part of the stadium’s workplace and volunteer workforce. Actions are also being implemented across the wider GAA community, including in Wexford, to ensure that older people continue to feel included as part of the GAA community. Initiatives such as the GAA’s Social Initiative, its Health and Wellbeing work and the GAA volunteer response to Covid, demonstrate the association’s commitment to being Age Friendly.

Tony Dempsey receiving the presentation of Age Friendly Ambassador status from Dr Thiago Herick De Sa from the World Health Organisation and Catherine McGuigan from Age Friendly Ireland.

An Age Friendly Ambassador for each county was also announced at the prestigious event, with Tony Dempsey taking up that particular role in Co. Wexford. Tony will help to promote the work that Wexford County Council and partner organisations in the state and voluntary sectors are doing to make Co. Wexford a better place for older people to live. n

Enniscorthy’s journey to success

This article is largely based on a piece written by Enniscorthy Rugby Club Chairman Paul McCrea. We thank him for his kind permission to make use of his piece.

Enniscorthy Rugby's recent exciting journey commenced in 2018/19 season under the captaincy of Tom Ryan when the club won the Leinster League which gave them entry into the play-offs. Play-offs are always a nervous time and the club had been there before, ultimately losing out to Sligo in the bid for AIL (All Ireland League) status. However, on this occasion, under director of rugby John Spud Murphy, coaches Declan O'Brien and Kieran Hurrell, Enniscorthy made a clean sweep of matches defeating Instonians, Clonmel and finally clinching the coveted AIL spot by victory over Connemara All Blacks on the exposed Atlantic coast. Senior status had now been attained by, without doubt, the most talented bunch of players who have ever represented Enniscorthy Rugby Club. There was some ambivalence in the club about the logistics of managing the demands of senior status in a provincial club but officers and committee felt that coaches and players had done their bit in gaining senior status and it was now their job to deal with logistics. The work began immediately with a new main sponsor for the grounds and jerseys in the form of Alcast and Hill Autos, thanks to Padraic Donohoe. Other sponsors included Pettitt’s Supermarket, Riverside Park Hotel, P.E. Kelly Insurance and John A. Sinnott. Thanks to all that sponsorship, the transition to the AIL was smoothed. The first match in the AIL on 5th October 2019 saw Enniscorthy Rugby Club take the field under the leadership of Tom Ryan and the buzz around Alcast Park was palpable. To the delight of players, coaches Declan and Kieran, and all members of the club, the team opened its account with a home win. The next game away to Bruff brought everyone back to reality after a narrow loss in Limerick. However, subsequently they got back on the horse with a home win to Skerries and first away win in Derry. The Derry trip was a highlight for the club’s supporters as the hospitality of the Derry people left a huge impression on the travelling support. A feature of the Enniscorthy club is the amount of supporters who travel to away games, near or far, which is really appreciated by the team and coaches. Season 19/20 continued with Enniscorthy cementing their position as league contenders in their first season at this level, being in promotion contention when disaster struck on 12th March 2020 – due to the pandemic the IRFU called halt to all rugby. While disappointing to all involved it was the only decision that could be taken in the circumstances. Enniscorthy senior teams showed their character and community spirit by volunteering, as did many clubs of all codes as, under the leadership of Hughie O'Neill, players made themselves available to deliver necessities to vulnerable members of community who were isolated in their homes. AIL Rugby did not return until September 2021 as a second lockdown hit after a couple of Leinster Cup matches in autumn 2020. The AIL recommenced in October 2021 under new captain Tom Stamp with the team now being coached by Ben Manion and Declan O'Brien as Kieran Hurrell had moved to UCD. The coaches and players, in a seamless fashion, got down to business with Ben introducing a different aspect to a previous winning formula and putting his own stamp on proceedings. This put the club in prime position in the league, despite minor bumps away to Skerries and Sunday's Well, to finish a massive 15 points winners of the league section, which in a normal year would have guaranteed automatic promotion. However, the IRFU in its wisdom, or otherwise, decided as far back as December, in view of the Covid situation, that there would be play-offs for the top four teams in each division. The prize for finishing on top was a home semi-final and, after winning that, a home final. Tullamore proved to be extremely tough opponents in the semi-final on 23rd April before Enniscorthy emerged narrow winners on a 12-9 scoreline.

Enniscorthy celebrate promotion to AIL Division 2B, following victory over Skerries on 30th April, 2022.

The final took place on 30th April on home soil. Enniscorthy laid siege to the Skerries line early on before going wide for Dominik Morycki to touch down in the corner. Skerries replied by landing a penalty in the 23rd minute to reduce the gap to just two points. And then went ahead in the 34th minute from a penalty for a high tackle by Nick Doyle which saw him go to the sin bin. Ivan Poole landied a short range penalty shortly after to put Enniscorthy 8-6 up at the break. Within five minutes of the restart Skerries landed a penalty to go ahead 9-8. Just a couple of minutes later Enniscorthy registered their second try of the afternoon from a pick and go move, with prop Angelo Todisco touching down under the posts, and Poole adding the conversion to go six points ahead. Daniel Pim then added a fine individual try, after 15 mins of the half, from a turnover, running the length of the field which was followed by Poole’s conversion putting them 22-9 in front. But Enniscorthy then conceded a try to Skerries captain Kevin McGrath on the hour mark, the missed conversion leaving Enniscorthy ahead 22-14. The game was still in the balance until a fourth try and monster Poole conversion for Enniscorthy arrived after 70 minutes to make it 29-14. That lead was made even more comfortable when Morycki crossed again in the corner and then, five minutes from the end, Tom Ryan put the icing on the cake with a fifth try of the afternoon, and a final scoreline of 41-14. Enniscorthy are now promoted to Division 2B for next season in the company of Rainey Old Boys, Greystones, Belfast Harlequins, Galway Corinthians, Wanderers, Sligo, Dungannon, Malahide, and Galwegians. All Ireland League Rugby has been a wonderful experience for the whole club, which has lifted standards and expectations throughout the club. The first team is the flagship but the club is about much more than one team, it incorporates all teams, members and supporters which collectively give the club its strength. This has been reflected in the club’s seconds, under Alan Jacob, winning the Metro League and contesting the semi-final of the plate losing out to a strong Tullow side, and the thirds in the Towns Cup Seconds semi-final only beaten by one score in controversial circumstances, and the women's seniors going down to a Wicklow side, containing many players with AIL experience, in the cup semi-final. Great credit is due to all the players and mentors of these sides for their progression all season. The bedrock of all this success is the club’s minis and youths set-up and great credit has to go to all the coordinators, managers and coaches, and not forgetting the parents, who have effectively run these systems over the years and produced the finished players for our seniors while enjoying the buzz of underage rugby. Club President Niall Wall has been a huge ambassador for the club up and down the country as has long-serving talisman, outhalf Ivan Poole, so it was fitting, according to Club Chairman Paul McCrea, for the club to gain promotion on their watch. n

Enniscorthy Rugby Club highlights...

Congrats to the club’s Aoife Wafer on making her senior international debut in April against Italy. Check the video at: https://twitter.com/i/status/151322836 0310272019

Aoife’s sister Orla Wafer was also recently involved internationally as part of Ireland’s U-18 squad. Well done to James Doyle on being selected for the recent men’s U-19 Irish squad double header against France.

Congrats to Temi Lasisi on making his Leinster senior debut recently against Ulster. And of course Charlie Tector who starred for Ireland in this year’s grandslam-winning U-20s. A date for your diary: Enniscorthy Rugby Club annual golf classic is on Friday 19th August 2022. Details in future issues. n

James Doyle

Enniscorthy CBS – Duff Cup winners

Well done to the St Mary’s CBS team on their 14-12 win in the Duff Cup final on 30th March against Wilson's Hospital, played at St Mary's College Rugby Club, Templeville Road, Dublin. And congrats also to coaches Ben Traynor, Mick Bolger and Deirdre Miller.

L-R: Dual Captain Nicola Davitt presents bouquet of flowers to Aoife O’Connor.

L-R: Ciara Foley, Cillian Murphy, Michelle Foley, and Meadhbh Foley.

Senior football champions 2020.

A Night of Celebration

Senior hurling champions 2021.

L-R: Kasey Mahon and Eimear Foley.

Tomas Mahon and Ryan Mahon.

Words and pics by Maria Nolan.

It was a marvellous occasion for celebration as Rapparees/Starlights GAA Club held its Dinner Dance at the Riverside Park Hotel on Saturday 30th April. Having been postponed due to Covid, the long awaited and much anticipated event was well worth the delay as the Club saluted Senior Football Champions 2020, Senior Hurling Champions 2021 and Junior Ladies Football Champions 2020 and Junior Camogie Champions 2021. MC for the event Club, PRO Maria Nolan, began by applauding the players, ‘You have walked the walk, you have made your mark, you have achieved, you have made memories, you have made history and you will be remembered forever.’

Club Chairman Ger McVeigh welcomed the large attendance and special guests, County Chairman Miceal Martin, Minister James Browne, Club Sponsor Sam McCauley, CEO of McCauley Pharmacies Tony McEntee, Wexford Camogie Star Aoife O’Connor, Club President Larry Byrne and his wife Betty, and sponsors of commemoration sliothar and souvenir brochure Brian and Wendy Walsh. County Chairman Miceal Martin said it was a privilege to attend such a prestigious function. ‘It is imperative for the County that hurling and football are thriving in our County towns’, he said, wishing all the Rapparees players taking the field with Wexford the following day the very best of luck. Aoife O’Connor presented football and camogie medals to the ladies saying how important it was for them to keep striving for success, recognition, and equality on the fields of play. CEO of McCauley Pharmacies, Tony McEntee, no stranger to GAA occasions being one of the footballing McEntees of County Meath, presented the county medals to the Starlights, winners of the 2020 county title, and told the audience that he was delighted to continue McCauley’s close association with the Rapparees/Starlights and in particular would like to enhance and develop its Health & Wellbeing Programme. Introducing Club Sponsor, Sam McCauley, MC Maria Nolan said, ‘Sam McCauley typifies the famous John F Kennedy phrase, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”‘ ‘Sam McMcCauley never asked what Rapparees/Starlights could do for him, but rather what he could do for us, time and time again,’ Maria said. Sam received a standing ovation as he presented medals to the Senior Hurling Champions 2021 saying that County Final day 2021 was one of the greatest days of his life. ‘Believe me, hurling and the GAA have given me far more than I ever gave them.’ Chairman Ger McVeigh closed the formalities thanking all players for their wonderful achievements, all those in attendance and the organising committee for their efficiency and the smooth running of the event and Riverside Park Hotel for the fantastic meal and the staff for their attention to detail and their patience and courtesy. Festivities then got into full swing as the three-hundred-strong attendance danced the night away. Thank you to everyone for making this an occasion to remember.