Enniscorthy's first eleven fought back twice to claim a 2-2 draw against Clontarf on the opening day of the Leinster league division 5 at a sunny Astro Active Centre on Saturday.
Clontarf made their first trip to Enniscorthy and were determined to mete out a rude welcome to division 5 to the Wexford side. Indeed, the visitors started the brighter, seemingly able to pin Enniscorthy deep into their own half at will, though Glenn Chapman had an early opportunity when he threaded his way into the Clontarf semi- circle. Just before the half- hour mark Keith Ogilve made an important deflection from a well- hit Clontarf shot, putting the ball out for a long corner, and on 32 minutes Graham Hill had to be quick off the blocks to deny the visiting attack with a well timed kick save.
The visitors took the lead just a minute later following an uncharacteristic error by 'keeper Hill, who slipped in the semi- circle while attempting to kick the ball away, and this gave a nearby Clontarf attacker the opportunity to pounce.
The home side improved greatly after the break, coach Donal Doyle with some tough words for his charges whose game lacked width and imagination. On 39 minutes came Enniscorthy's best chance of the game so far when Ó Suilleabháin fired a shot from the left outer edge of the semi- circle; it outpaced the onrushing Jonathon Rothwell and hit the post before going wide.
The equaliser came on 44 minutes courtesy of two of Enniscorthy's talented youngsters, Daithí Medcalf and Liam Jowett. The latter battled his way through the Clontarf cover on the left wing, before cutting in to the top of the semi- circle, where he met the onrushing Clontarf goalkeer. A quick ball to the left found Medcalf, who calmly slotted home to the delight of the home supporters.
Despite last year's division 7 champions upping the tempo, once again it was the visitors who claimed the lead. An Enniscorthy attack up the left broke down in midfield, and Clontarf took full advantage, swiftly pushing up the pitch and creating a four on two overlap. Poor defensive work lead to a series of missed tackles and the Clontarf centre forward made no mistake.
Mindful of their proud home record, the Wexford men poured forward in search of a second, and Enniscorthy grabbed an equaliser with just minutes to go. Following some excellent attacking play, the hosts won a rare short corner and in the ensuing melée, David Simmons struck for a well deserved goal.
Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie; Martyn Veitch; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; Daithí Medcalf; Liam Jowett; David Simmons; Jonathon Rothwell; Niall Maguire; William Durnan.
Clontarf made their first trip to Enniscorthy and were determined to mete out a rude welcome to division 5 to the Wexford side. Indeed, the visitors started the brighter, seemingly able to pin Enniscorthy deep into their own half at will, though Glenn Chapman had an early opportunity when he threaded his way into the Clontarf semi- circle. Just before the half- hour mark Keith Ogilve made an important deflection from a well- hit Clontarf shot, putting the ball out for a long corner, and on 32 minutes Graham Hill had to be quick off the blocks to deny the visiting attack with a well timed kick save.
The visitors took the lead just a minute later following an uncharacteristic error by 'keeper Hill, who slipped in the semi- circle while attempting to kick the ball away, and this gave a nearby Clontarf attacker the opportunity to pounce.
The home side improved greatly after the break, coach Donal Doyle with some tough words for his charges whose game lacked width and imagination. On 39 minutes came Enniscorthy's best chance of the game so far when Ó Suilleabháin fired a shot from the left outer edge of the semi- circle; it outpaced the onrushing Jonathon Rothwell and hit the post before going wide.
The equaliser came on 44 minutes courtesy of two of Enniscorthy's talented youngsters, Daithí Medcalf and Liam Jowett. The latter battled his way through the Clontarf cover on the left wing, before cutting in to the top of the semi- circle, where he met the onrushing Clontarf goalkeer. A quick ball to the left found Medcalf, who calmly slotted home to the delight of the home supporters.
Despite last year's division 7 champions upping the tempo, once again it was the visitors who claimed the lead. An Enniscorthy attack up the left broke down in midfield, and Clontarf took full advantage, swiftly pushing up the pitch and creating a four on two overlap. Poor defensive work lead to a series of missed tackles and the Clontarf centre forward made no mistake.
Mindful of their proud home record, the Wexford men poured forward in search of a second, and Enniscorthy grabbed an equaliser with just minutes to go. Following some excellent attacking play, the hosts won a rare short corner and in the ensuing melée, David Simmons struck for a well deserved goal.
Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie; Martyn Veitch; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; Daithí Medcalf; Liam Jowett; David Simmons; Jonathon Rothwell; Niall Maguire; William Durnan.
