On the last day of the league and everything to play for, for the hockey men of Enniscorthy. Coming into the last day of the league and with three teams were vying for two promotion stops Enniscorthy knew travelling to take on forth place UCD that a win or a draw would be enough to seal their place in Division 4 for the 2017/18 season, but anything less would most probably have seen local rivals Wicklow and Dublin side Clontarf take top two spots.
Donal Doyle's Enniscorthy men started well under the beautiful spring sun without the ever solid defender Martyn Vietch and one of his top scorers Edmundus Liukimas. The depth now available to the Wexford men is testament to coach Doyle and manager Fraser Rothwell in their hard work over the last number of seasons.
Saturday saw another youngster getting his chance to shine as U16 player Seb Rynhart was included in the match day panel after a series of impressive performances at under 16 and second XI levels.
Enniscorthy's forward line of Jowett, Duran and Cooke from the start were keeping the the UCD backline on their toes, their collective pace being key in stretching the students. However, it was far from a one sided start as early on UCD were awarded a succession of short corners. Goalkeeper Graham Hill was called into action quickly and made one vital interception with his leg at full stretch, managing to nudge the ball just off his line. Doyle's men didn't panic and pushed forward with the Chapman brothers and Medcalf in midfield supplying their forwards with positive ball.
Enniscorthy's first goal came on the 15 minute mark when the older Chapman brother, Glenn, won possession from UCD in the middle of the park and worked the ball up into the circle to Jowett. His pass then found Roy Chapman who claimed one of his most important goals this season.
The Wexford men doubled their lead 5 minutes later. Rogan broke down the right side passing to Jowett on the top of the UCD circle who then played a slick reverse pass to Seb Rynhart. The under 16 star had the awareness to spot Rogan coming in on the back post, who dived for the ball to get it over the line. UCD were well able to break and had some great pace down both wings, but the defence of Simmons and three Rothwells- Clive, Ivan and Andrew- worked hard to cut out the danger.
At half time Donal Doyle's men were in a strong position but needed to stay solid and pin the Dublin side deep into their own half. The fresh legs from the likes of Jason Rothwell and Hogan were key in the Wexford side's win. Enniscorthy came close to increasing their lead on a number of occasions with the College 'keeper having to pull off some great saves from shots from Rynhart, Jason Rothwell and Jowett. UCD pushed hard and in the last few minutes of the game were awarded a number of short corners but Enniscorthy and Hill in particular- who had some immense saves- kept a clean sheet and saw the game out as it finished 2-0 to the delight of the Wexford side and their supporters.
With the three points secured there was an anxious wait for news from East Glendalough School whee Wicklow hosted Clontarf. A win or draw for the visitors would mean a third league title in four years for Enniscorthy., and after a dramatic match in Wicklow town Clontarf emerged victorious: Enniscorthy were once again, champions.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Clive Rothwell; David Simmons; Ivan Rothwell; Andrew Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Roy Chapman; Daithi Medcalf; Liam Jowett; Cory Cooke; William Durnan; Jason Rothwell; Pearse Rogan; Cian Hogan; Seb Rynhart. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
Donal Doyle's Enniscorthy men started well under the beautiful spring sun without the ever solid defender Martyn Vietch and one of his top scorers Edmundus Liukimas. The depth now available to the Wexford men is testament to coach Doyle and manager Fraser Rothwell in their hard work over the last number of seasons.
Saturday saw another youngster getting his chance to shine as U16 player Seb Rynhart was included in the match day panel after a series of impressive performances at under 16 and second XI levels.
Enniscorthy's forward line of Jowett, Duran and Cooke from the start were keeping the the UCD backline on their toes, their collective pace being key in stretching the students. However, it was far from a one sided start as early on UCD were awarded a succession of short corners. Goalkeeper Graham Hill was called into action quickly and made one vital interception with his leg at full stretch, managing to nudge the ball just off his line. Doyle's men didn't panic and pushed forward with the Chapman brothers and Medcalf in midfield supplying their forwards with positive ball.
Enniscorthy's first goal came on the 15 minute mark when the older Chapman brother, Glenn, won possession from UCD in the middle of the park and worked the ball up into the circle to Jowett. His pass then found Roy Chapman who claimed one of his most important goals this season.
The Wexford men doubled their lead 5 minutes later. Rogan broke down the right side passing to Jowett on the top of the UCD circle who then played a slick reverse pass to Seb Rynhart. The under 16 star had the awareness to spot Rogan coming in on the back post, who dived for the ball to get it over the line. UCD were well able to break and had some great pace down both wings, but the defence of Simmons and three Rothwells- Clive, Ivan and Andrew- worked hard to cut out the danger.
At half time Donal Doyle's men were in a strong position but needed to stay solid and pin the Dublin side deep into their own half. The fresh legs from the likes of Jason Rothwell and Hogan were key in the Wexford side's win. Enniscorthy came close to increasing their lead on a number of occasions with the College 'keeper having to pull off some great saves from shots from Rynhart, Jason Rothwell and Jowett. UCD pushed hard and in the last few minutes of the game were awarded a number of short corners but Enniscorthy and Hill in particular- who had some immense saves- kept a clean sheet and saw the game out as it finished 2-0 to the delight of the Wexford side and their supporters.
With the three points secured there was an anxious wait for news from East Glendalough School whee Wicklow hosted Clontarf. A win or draw for the visitors would mean a third league title in four years for Enniscorthy., and after a dramatic match in Wicklow town Clontarf emerged victorious: Enniscorthy were once again, champions.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Clive Rothwell; David Simmons; Ivan Rothwell; Andrew Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Roy Chapman; Daithi Medcalf; Liam Jowett; Cory Cooke; William Durnan; Jason Rothwell; Pearse Rogan; Cian Hogan; Seb Rynhart. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
