THESE TWO great rivals over the years, Enniscorthy and New Ross, again produced an absolute classic on Saturday morning, with Enniscorthy winning 24-14 in the Leinster Under-19 Cup semi-final played in Carlow. Four weeks ago New Ross had beaten Enniscorthy 9-8 to win the Leinster League. Enniscorthy were superb in the first-half and totally blew New Ross away, but then in the second-half, New Ross, driven on by Wally Walsh and David Crowdle, came storming back and closed the gap to 1914 with eight minutes remaining.

Enniscorthy defended well and centre Brendan Walsh chipped a superb ball behind the New Ross cover for right wing Brendan Perkins to race in and score his second try, securing the win.

Enniscorthy's forwards took on New Ross up front from the word go, and Paul Bolger scored an opening try after eight minutes after a super drive from the pack.

Ten minutes later, as Enniscorthy ran the ball at every opportunity, Brendan Perkins got in on the right to score the second try. It was a rich reward for Enniscorthy's enterprising rugby.

The best was yet to come, however, and ten minutes from halftime, Shane Maguire set left winger Rory White free 40 metres from the line and he subsequently produced a wonderful score, evading three tacklers on the way. David O'Dwyer kicked two of the conversions.

That first-half was without question one of the best displays of running rugby seen in a long time at any level.

New Ross, to their credit, came storming back in the second-half and were rewarded after ten minutes when David Crowdle made a storming break from outside the Enniscorthy '22 to get in and Walter Walsh kicked the conversion. Ten minutes later, Walsh (out-half) produced a storming mazy run to get in for the second, and again he kicked the difficult conversion, but Enniscorthy defended well from there to the end and were rewarded with that late try.

This was a fantastic match between the two best teams in Leinster and it was unfortunate that there had to be a loser.

Enniscorthy will now play Boyne in the Leinster Cup final in Donnybrook on May Bank Holiday, Monday, May 3, at 4 p.m.

Enniscorthy's forwards as a unit were excellent. The front row of Ciarán Murphy (captain), Shane Doyle and M.J. Doyle stood up really well to the New Ross front row, all Irish youth internationals. M.J. Doyle went off ten minutes from the end and substitute Pat Doyle came off the bench to play his part.

Tomás O'Shea and Fionn McSwiney were tremendous around the field and especially in the line-outs. The back row of John Bracken, Peadar O'Mahoney and Tom Ryan were excellent. Scrum-half Paul Bolger's passing was fast and crisp and it allowed Jack Kelly (out-half) time and space to enable centres Shane Doyle and Brendan Doyle the time to move the ball to wingers Rory White and Brendan Perkins.

Enniscorthy did have to start without Danny Pim who broke a bone in his foot during the week. Shane Doyle moved from wingforward to replace him in the centre and he looked as if he had been there all his life.

It was a warm day and Rory White got a bang just before halftime. After consultation with Dr. Val Flanagan it was decided that he sit out the second-half, and Cathal Spratt came into replace him and he too never put a foot wrong.

It was a brilliant all-round performance, and the team and mentors would like to thank physio and acupuncturist Donal O'Connor for his work in getting some of the walking wounded fit for the match.