Derby decider on Saturday
Wednesday March 03 2010
ENNISCORTHY MADE the early journey to Newbridge pay on Saturday last when they beat the home side 32-0, and they will now play Portlaoise in the quarter-final of the Leinster Under-19 Culleton Cup on March 20.
A late tackle on out-half Jack Kelly gave David O'Dwyer the opportunity to open the scoring. Enniscorthy created a lot of chances but they couldn't convert them, mainly through overplaying of the ball, but they did score a try after 18 minutes when wing-forward Shane Maguire broke free from a ruck to cross the line.
Five minutes later a superb accurate kick from Jack Kelly found Rory White on the left wing, and he flew in from 40 metres to score the second try.
Early in the second-half, Brendan Perkins got in for the third after the ball was moved swiftly to the right-winger. The fourth try came from a well-worked penalty move, with David O'Dwyer getting in.
He also added the conversion, and the fullback finished off the scoring when he came into the line at pace which carried him free to touch down. For good measure he added the conversion for the emphatic victory.
Coaches: John Bolger, Pat Kelly, Seamus Shore, Liam Spratt.
The Under-19s will play their Premier Leinster League final on Saturday next in Kilkenny at 1 p.m. They play their neighbours and rivals, New Ross, who are unbeaten this season.
These teams have had many a battle up through the age ranks and it has always been close between them. Saturday should be no different, but it is a testament to the strength of rugby in Co. Wexford that two teams should be in this Premier final.
It will be a tough ask for the 'Scorthy boys as New Ross have three Irish Youth internationals in the front row, and they also have the excellent Walter Walsh at out-half. The former Kilkenny Minor hurling star is capable of controlling the game and the clever running lines of his outside centre, Matt Crowdle, will cause problems for the Enniscorthy defence.
Enniscorthy also have two youth Iinternationals in centre Daniel Pim and number 8 Tony Ryan, and they have been playing very well as a unit of late.
It could come down to a battle of the two sets of forwards, and whichever unit gets on top. That could set the platform either for Walsh, or Enniscorthy out-half Jack Kelly who is part of the Wexford Minor hurling set-up this year, to control the game. It will be close, but New Ross are favourites to win.
