After beating Kilkenny and Wicklow in the previous rounds of the Walters Cup, the Enniscorthy hockey men deservedly found themselves in the Semi Final of the Walters Cup last Sunday. Their opponents for this outing in the Astro Active Centre, Enniscorthy, were Dublin side St. Brendan’s Phoenix Park.
St. Brendan’s started with real determination and were making it know to the Wexford side that they were going to make it as hard as possible for Enniscorthy to take the win. The Dubliners won a number of early short corners and found the net, but the goal was disallowed as it didn’t hit the backboard. This seemed to kick start the home side as they refocused and started pushing the visitors back. The southeast men then gained a number of chances with great work by wingers Niall Maguire and Jason Rothwell pinning the opposition’s defenders back. The first goal of the game came midway through the first half from centre forward Roy Chapman with a shot from the top of the circle. Enniscorthy kept the pressure on and just before the break found the net yet again and yet again for Roy Chapman as he scored his second goal of the game for Enniscorthy.
Fraser Rothwell pulled his men in at half time focusing his players on the positives of the game but also keeping them aware of the threat that the Dublin side possess.
As the second half commenced, it was clear the Dubliners were determined to get back into the game. However, midfielders Glenn Chapman, Liam Jowett and Alan Smith had a different idea as they broke down the visitors attacks, much to the pleasure of the back five of ‘keeper Graham Hill and defenders, PJ Pierce, Andrew Rothwell, David Simmons and Clive Rothwell. With the introduction of fresh legs from Jonathon Rothwell, Enniscorthy found themselves going up one more goal with a tally of three goals. The goal came from Jonathon passing the ball across the circle to the awaiting Niall Maguire. The ‘keeper did get a touch to it but was unable to keep it out.
With St. Brendan’s determined to get something out of the game they pushed the Enniscorthy defence and were awarded a number of short corners and scored from one of their chances. This was, however, to little to late for the Dublin side as Enniscorthy saw the game out with a 3-1 victory.
The Walters Cup Final this year will be a replay of the 2015 final where Enniscorthy met North Kildare. The final will take place this coming weekend.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Clive Rothwell; David Simmons; PJ Pierce; Andrew Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Alan Smith; Liam Jowett; Roy Chapman; Jason Rothwell; Niall Maguire; John McWey; Ivan Rothwell; Jacob English; Eamon Sweeney. Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell
St. Brendan’s started with real determination and were making it know to the Wexford side that they were going to make it as hard as possible for Enniscorthy to take the win. The Dubliners won a number of early short corners and found the net, but the goal was disallowed as it didn’t hit the backboard. This seemed to kick start the home side as they refocused and started pushing the visitors back. The southeast men then gained a number of chances with great work by wingers Niall Maguire and Jason Rothwell pinning the opposition’s defenders back. The first goal of the game came midway through the first half from centre forward Roy Chapman with a shot from the top of the circle. Enniscorthy kept the pressure on and just before the break found the net yet again and yet again for Roy Chapman as he scored his second goal of the game for Enniscorthy.
Fraser Rothwell pulled his men in at half time focusing his players on the positives of the game but also keeping them aware of the threat that the Dublin side possess.
As the second half commenced, it was clear the Dubliners were determined to get back into the game. However, midfielders Glenn Chapman, Liam Jowett and Alan Smith had a different idea as they broke down the visitors attacks, much to the pleasure of the back five of ‘keeper Graham Hill and defenders, PJ Pierce, Andrew Rothwell, David Simmons and Clive Rothwell. With the introduction of fresh legs from Jonathon Rothwell, Enniscorthy found themselves going up one more goal with a tally of three goals. The goal came from Jonathon passing the ball across the circle to the awaiting Niall Maguire. The ‘keeper did get a touch to it but was unable to keep it out.
With St. Brendan’s determined to get something out of the game they pushed the Enniscorthy defence and were awarded a number of short corners and scored from one of their chances. This was, however, to little to late for the Dublin side as Enniscorthy saw the game out with a 3-1 victory.
The Walters Cup Final this year will be a replay of the 2015 final where Enniscorthy met North Kildare. The final will take place this coming weekend.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Clive Rothwell; David Simmons; PJ Pierce; Andrew Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Alan Smith; Liam Jowett; Roy Chapman; Jason Rothwell; Niall Maguire; John McWey; Ivan Rothwell; Jacob English; Eamon Sweeney. Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell
