Enniscorthy’s men are league champions again. Fraser Rothwell’s side claimed their second title in two seasons- and successive promotions- after a 5-1 demolition of Pembroke Wanderers V at the Astro Active Centre on Saturday.
In front of a large attendance the home side lined out with a familiar look, with just three changes from the side which defeated St. Brendan’s Phoenix Park the week before. Jonathon Rothwell began at right midfield instead of Costello, with Glenn Chapman on the left instead of the unavailable David Simmons. Up front Ó Suilleabháin started alongside Daithí Medcalf and Jason Rothwell.
There was little between the two sides in the opening exchanges, but Medcalf- son of journalist David- was unlucky not to open the scoring on eight minutes. Strong running from Roy Chapman found Jason Rothwell just inside the Wanderers semi- circle. He spotted the advancing Wanderers ‘keeper off his line and nudged the ball left to Medcalf, whose shot was cleared off the line. Brian Cleary in the Pembroke goal had to be quick off the mark to deny Jason Rothwell on 14 minutes, a pass through the centre finding Rothwell in space at the penalty spot, but the ‘keeper cleverly used his leg to block the shot from the Enniscorthy sharpshooter.
The initial goal, though, came less than thirty seconds later. Ó Suilleabháin received an Andrew Rothwell sideline ball on the right. Pushing forward, he spotted Jason Rothwell wide on the right, but his ball through was stopped by a phalanx of Pembroke defenders. Enniscorthy sent the ball back in from the left. Cleary and Jason Rothwell stormed out for it, Rothwell winning the race and nicking it past with a reverse shot from the penalty spot.
The large crowd had to wait until the 24th minute for the visitor’s first serious attack on the Enniscorthy goal. Martin Veitch was beaten by Marcus Blake on the right, who had spotted a team- mate lurking dangerously at the far post, but Graham Hill dived well to deny the Dublin 4 side. Enniscorthy were making all the running, and further scores seemed inevitable. Medcalf doubled the home side’s advantage and claimed his first of the day on 26 minutes. Midfielder Roy Chapman dispossessed Blake following a Pembroke hit- out; his short pass made it to Ó Suilleabháin. The Corkman spotted Medcalf to his left and he fired home from just inside the semi- circle.
Jason Rothwell brought his goal tally for the season to eight on the half- hour mark, smashing a well- aimed ball into the bottom left following a short corner. Three- nil up at the break, Enniscorthy just had to hold their nerve in the second half and the title would be theirs. West Thornton struck one back for the visitors with a wickedly dipping strike from a short corner on 41 minutes, the first home goal conceded by Enniscorthy this season.
Daithí Medcalf restored the three goal cushion soon after, scoring from a Costello cross on the right through a thicket of defenders to convert at the far post. His hat- trick, a sweetly- taken reverse strike on the left, capped a very satisfying day for Enniscorthy as they captured the league title.
Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie; Martin Veitch; Clive Rothwell; Jonathon Rothwell; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; Jason Rothwell; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Daithí Medcalf; Kieran Costello; Greg Hawkins; Robbie Walshe; Seamus McAlister.
In front of a large attendance the home side lined out with a familiar look, with just three changes from the side which defeated St. Brendan’s Phoenix Park the week before. Jonathon Rothwell began at right midfield instead of Costello, with Glenn Chapman on the left instead of the unavailable David Simmons. Up front Ó Suilleabháin started alongside Daithí Medcalf and Jason Rothwell.
There was little between the two sides in the opening exchanges, but Medcalf- son of journalist David- was unlucky not to open the scoring on eight minutes. Strong running from Roy Chapman found Jason Rothwell just inside the Wanderers semi- circle. He spotted the advancing Wanderers ‘keeper off his line and nudged the ball left to Medcalf, whose shot was cleared off the line. Brian Cleary in the Pembroke goal had to be quick off the mark to deny Jason Rothwell on 14 minutes, a pass through the centre finding Rothwell in space at the penalty spot, but the ‘keeper cleverly used his leg to block the shot from the Enniscorthy sharpshooter.
The initial goal, though, came less than thirty seconds later. Ó Suilleabháin received an Andrew Rothwell sideline ball on the right. Pushing forward, he spotted Jason Rothwell wide on the right, but his ball through was stopped by a phalanx of Pembroke defenders. Enniscorthy sent the ball back in from the left. Cleary and Jason Rothwell stormed out for it, Rothwell winning the race and nicking it past with a reverse shot from the penalty spot.
The large crowd had to wait until the 24th minute for the visitor’s first serious attack on the Enniscorthy goal. Martin Veitch was beaten by Marcus Blake on the right, who had spotted a team- mate lurking dangerously at the far post, but Graham Hill dived well to deny the Dublin 4 side. Enniscorthy were making all the running, and further scores seemed inevitable. Medcalf doubled the home side’s advantage and claimed his first of the day on 26 minutes. Midfielder Roy Chapman dispossessed Blake following a Pembroke hit- out; his short pass made it to Ó Suilleabháin. The Corkman spotted Medcalf to his left and he fired home from just inside the semi- circle.
Jason Rothwell brought his goal tally for the season to eight on the half- hour mark, smashing a well- aimed ball into the bottom left following a short corner. Three- nil up at the break, Enniscorthy just had to hold their nerve in the second half and the title would be theirs. West Thornton struck one back for the visitors with a wickedly dipping strike from a short corner on 41 minutes, the first home goal conceded by Enniscorthy this season.
Daithí Medcalf restored the three goal cushion soon after, scoring from a Costello cross on the right through a thicket of defenders to convert at the far post. His hat- trick, a sweetly- taken reverse strike on the left, capped a very satisfying day for Enniscorthy as they captured the league title.
Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie; Martin Veitch; Clive Rothwell; Jonathon Rothwell; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; Jason Rothwell; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Daithí Medcalf; Kieran Costello; Greg Hawkins; Robbie Walshe; Seamus McAlister.
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