Scorthy march on
THE ENNISCORTHY Under-17 team progressed to the quarter-final of the Leinster Cup with an emphatic win over Portlaoise to set up a local derby against the winners of Gorey and New Ross on March 20.
Enniscorthy controlled possession from the start, with their front five - Michael Fanning, Cathal Mernagh, Conor McDonald Jack and Davy Murphy - dominating the setpieces, ably assisted by Brian Bolger's line-out work and his general presence, allied to Ted Dempsey, about the field. This gave No. 8 Naoise Dunbar freedom to break forward with impunity, with David Dunne and Brendan Kearney pulling the strings at half-back.
Despite this, it took the outside backs some time to settle, with the first score coming from Kearney's boot and Dunbar getting the first touchdown after clever inter-play between Dunne and Dermot Breen.
However, when the home side got centres Martin Steemers and Jonnie Squance into space and full-back Wally Furlong running hard, the opportunities opened up, and how Joey Roche accepted them, helping himself to four tries to end his recent drought.
Despite losing Martin Steemers, replaced by Jim White, and Brendan Kearney, replaced by Neil McCrea, the home side kept up the pressure to record a good cup win while emptying their bench, with Murt Kehoe, James Doyle, Jack Flood and Rob Frayne all getting game time.
Enniscorthy return to local fare and are at home to Gorey in the quarter-final of the South East League on Saturday next.
