So near and yet so far. Enniscorthy's men travelled to St. Andrew's College, Dublin on Sunday last for their Leinster Minor Cup quarter- final in a positive frame of mind, but made the long journey back down the N11 on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline.
Despite missing a number of key players Enniscorthy were still able to field a strong team, with the usual back four of Ogilvie, Costello, Andrew Rothwell and Clive Rothwell changing slightly as Ó Suilleabháin slotted into the right back slot and Andrew Rothwell moved to the right side of midfield. It was Pembroke Wanderers, though- much changed from the earlier league encounter between the two sides- who started the stronger, moving the ball purposefully forward and finding gaps in the Slaneysiders defence. Strong tackling from Ogilvie and Clive Rothwell, in particular, kept the Dublin 4 side at bay. Huge clearances from the back relieved the pressure but unfortunately Enniscorthy struggled to find a friendly face further up the pitch.
The pressure finally told when Pembroke scored mid-way through the half. A short corner was moved- through the onrushing Enniscorthy defence- to the left post where the ball was neatly turned around the post and past the diving Graham Hill. Following this opener Ó Suilleabháin and Andrew Rothwell switched positions and this laid the foundations for a vastly improved performance from the visitors.
Enniscorthy will doubtless bemoan the lack of continuity as their second half effort was immensely better than what had been on show in the first. Jason Rothwell made numerous runs along the right sideline, while Niall Maguire made a number of dangerous moves inside the Pembroke semi- circle. Chapman and Jonathon Rothwell switched positions and the former was able to carve open some space on the left side of midfield, while Rothwell- in the centre- and Ó Suilleabháin began pressing higher up the pitch. Enniscorthy were now frequently penetrating the Pembroke semi-circle but were missing the final touch to gain and equaliser. Their opponents were rarely able to move into the Enniscorthy half but their attacks were easily snuffed out by the Wexford men.
Eventually, Pembroke cracked: an error at the back led to a penalty flick for Enniscorthy. Clive Rothwell replicated his first round heroics and calmly converted with fifteen minutes remaining. Enniscorthy sensed victory and McAllister came close with a tremendous effort from the left. Maguire, Ó Suilleabháin, Walshe and Jason Rothwell all came close but Pembroke managed to score against the run of play. A free from just outside the Enniscorthy semi-circle flashed across the goal to the left, where it was met at the back post. Try as they might, Enniscorthy were unable to find a second equaliser and Pembroke advanced to the semi- final.
The Astro Active Centre- based side now have their league campaign to concentrate on and the table toppers entertain Railway Union V next, with the fixture scheduled for Saturday December 14th.
Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Clive Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie; Kieran Costello; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Jonathon Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Robbie Walshe; Jason Rothwell; Niall Maguire; Seamus McAllister; Rory Maguire; Robbie Kavanagh; John Casey
Despite missing a number of key players Enniscorthy were still able to field a strong team, with the usual back four of Ogilvie, Costello, Andrew Rothwell and Clive Rothwell changing slightly as Ó Suilleabháin slotted into the right back slot and Andrew Rothwell moved to the right side of midfield. It was Pembroke Wanderers, though- much changed from the earlier league encounter between the two sides- who started the stronger, moving the ball purposefully forward and finding gaps in the Slaneysiders defence. Strong tackling from Ogilvie and Clive Rothwell, in particular, kept the Dublin 4 side at bay. Huge clearances from the back relieved the pressure but unfortunately Enniscorthy struggled to find a friendly face further up the pitch.
The pressure finally told when Pembroke scored mid-way through the half. A short corner was moved- through the onrushing Enniscorthy defence- to the left post where the ball was neatly turned around the post and past the diving Graham Hill. Following this opener Ó Suilleabháin and Andrew Rothwell switched positions and this laid the foundations for a vastly improved performance from the visitors.
Enniscorthy will doubtless bemoan the lack of continuity as their second half effort was immensely better than what had been on show in the first. Jason Rothwell made numerous runs along the right sideline, while Niall Maguire made a number of dangerous moves inside the Pembroke semi- circle. Chapman and Jonathon Rothwell switched positions and the former was able to carve open some space on the left side of midfield, while Rothwell- in the centre- and Ó Suilleabháin began pressing higher up the pitch. Enniscorthy were now frequently penetrating the Pembroke semi-circle but were missing the final touch to gain and equaliser. Their opponents were rarely able to move into the Enniscorthy half but their attacks were easily snuffed out by the Wexford men.
Eventually, Pembroke cracked: an error at the back led to a penalty flick for Enniscorthy. Clive Rothwell replicated his first round heroics and calmly converted with fifteen minutes remaining. Enniscorthy sensed victory and McAllister came close with a tremendous effort from the left. Maguire, Ó Suilleabháin, Walshe and Jason Rothwell all came close but Pembroke managed to score against the run of play. A free from just outside the Enniscorthy semi-circle flashed across the goal to the left, where it was met at the back post. Try as they might, Enniscorthy were unable to find a second equaliser and Pembroke advanced to the semi- final.
The Astro Active Centre- based side now have their league campaign to concentrate on and the table toppers entertain Railway Union V next, with the fixture scheduled for Saturday December 14th.
Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Clive Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie; Kieran Costello; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Jonathon Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Robbie Walshe; Jason Rothwell; Niall Maguire; Seamus McAllister; Rory Maguire; Robbie Kavanagh; John Casey
