A crisp winter Saturday afternoon saw Enniscorthy Men’s 1st XI come head to head with rivals North Kildare 1st XI at Astro Active Enniscorthy. As two of the few non-Dublin-based teams in the Leinster Men’s League, these two teams knew that a tough battle would be ahead of them, even before the first tip off.
From the first touch, Enniscorthy were determined to add points to their tally and fought hard for each play. Lovely linking in midfield with Daithi Medcalf and brothers Glenn and Roy Chapman saw some excellent passages of play towards the Kildare side's circle. Several short corners awarded in Enniscorthy's favour saw the home side with chances to change the scoreboard. However, Kildare's defence were on form and stopped the short-corner shots from reaching the backboard. Despite excellent defence from Clive Rothwell, Martyn Veitch, David Simmons and Andrew Rothwell, Kildare managed to get the ball past the Enniscorthy keeper halfway through the first half. An excellent break shortly after from Daithi Medcalf up the centre of the field put Kildare's defence under pressure, but the visiting team's goalie stopped him in his tracks. Strikes on goal from Roy Chapman and Edmundus Liukimas were unlucky to veer wide. The half-time whistle blew leaving the score line at 0-1 to the visitors.
Enniscorthy knew that the game was still there for the taking if they wanted it, but could the Slaney Siders beat North Kildare for the first time in their numerous meetings over the last few years. Enniscorthy came out strong and were determined to get on the scoreboard. The Wexford side won a short corner and Clive Rothwell was more than happy to even up the scores. North Kildare weren’t going to give up and pushed the Enniscorthy defence and Graham Hill in goal hard. The visitors won a short corner and although Clive Rothwell managed to get a stick to the shot the powerful strike found its way into the back on the Enniscorthy Goal, 2-1 to North Kildare. Straight away Enniscorthy refocused and were determined to make their way up the pitch. Great attacks down both wings from Jason Rothwell and Liam Jowett put the Kildare side under pressure. In the final 10 minutes of the game a well worked attack combining a number of the home sides players lead to a goal for Jason Rothwell, brother of previous goal scorer Clive.
Enniscorthy now prepare for their next league encounter against St. Brendan’s Phoenix Park 1st XI in the National Sports Centre, Abbotstown, Dublin.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; David Simmons; Clive Rothwell; Martyn Veitch; Andrew Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Liam Jowett; Daithi Medcalf; Niall Maguire; Roy Chapman; John McWey; Edmundas Liuikimas; Jason Rothwell. Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell
From the first touch, Enniscorthy were determined to add points to their tally and fought hard for each play. Lovely linking in midfield with Daithi Medcalf and brothers Glenn and Roy Chapman saw some excellent passages of play towards the Kildare side's circle. Several short corners awarded in Enniscorthy's favour saw the home side with chances to change the scoreboard. However, Kildare's defence were on form and stopped the short-corner shots from reaching the backboard. Despite excellent defence from Clive Rothwell, Martyn Veitch, David Simmons and Andrew Rothwell, Kildare managed to get the ball past the Enniscorthy keeper halfway through the first half. An excellent break shortly after from Daithi Medcalf up the centre of the field put Kildare's defence under pressure, but the visiting team's goalie stopped him in his tracks. Strikes on goal from Roy Chapman and Edmundus Liukimas were unlucky to veer wide. The half-time whistle blew leaving the score line at 0-1 to the visitors.
Enniscorthy knew that the game was still there for the taking if they wanted it, but could the Slaney Siders beat North Kildare for the first time in their numerous meetings over the last few years. Enniscorthy came out strong and were determined to get on the scoreboard. The Wexford side won a short corner and Clive Rothwell was more than happy to even up the scores. North Kildare weren’t going to give up and pushed the Enniscorthy defence and Graham Hill in goal hard. The visitors won a short corner and although Clive Rothwell managed to get a stick to the shot the powerful strike found its way into the back on the Enniscorthy Goal, 2-1 to North Kildare. Straight away Enniscorthy refocused and were determined to make their way up the pitch. Great attacks down both wings from Jason Rothwell and Liam Jowett put the Kildare side under pressure. In the final 10 minutes of the game a well worked attack combining a number of the home sides players lead to a goal for Jason Rothwell, brother of previous goal scorer Clive.
Enniscorthy now prepare for their next league encounter against St. Brendan’s Phoenix Park 1st XI in the National Sports Centre, Abbotstown, Dublin.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; David Simmons; Clive Rothwell; Martyn Veitch; Andrew Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Liam Jowett; Daithi Medcalf; Niall Maguire; Roy Chapman; John McWey; Edmundas Liuikimas; Jason Rothwell. Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell
