Wanderers seek glory
THIS IS turning out to be a remarkable season at Park Lane. Following the Under-17 Leinster League win, the Under15s have bridged a 24-year gap by reaching the McAuley Cup final, which will be played in Donnybrook on May 3 against Navan.
To reach this decider Wanderers have overcome Gorey, Rathdrum, Wicklow and Athy. In Tullow on Saturday last they faced their toughest game of the season against a very fancied and bigger Athy team.
It was probably the attitude of the opposition that spurred on the Wexford lads. From the start Wanderers punched way above their weight.
They outrucked Athy, turning them over on three occasions. When it came to scrum time, Wexford drove them backwards and Athy were baffled.
Eoin Roche commanded the game from out-half, making many breaks that tested the awareness of the opposition. Eoin stood up on two occassions during the first-half and kicked two penalties that gave Wexford the 6-0 lead at the break.
Athy came storming back in the second-half, but Wexford refused to give an inch.
The centre pairing of Donnacha Carroll and Josh Healy nailed every tackle. John Gannon and Rúairí Devereux were called upon to defend their corners and did so impeccably.
The forwards to a man were incredible. Led by captain Collie Joyce-Ahearne, they tackled and put their bodies on the line. As the half went on they were battered and bruised but still held their line intact.
It was not until three minutes to go that the line was breached and even then the try was conceded in the corner. The conversion into the wind was never a threat.
Wanderers only had to close out the game and this they did effectively. A hard-fought victory was achieved and a place in the Leinster final was the big prize.
These players have improved as the season has progressed and now have also to play Kilkenny in the South East League final. This has been a wonderful season for the players and coaches.
Well done to Peter, Pat, Ray and Billy for preparing this squad so well. Good luck in the finals lads.
Meanwhile, Enniscorthy's Under-19 rugby team will be hoping to finish off their season in style when they take on Boyne on Monday next in Donnybrook in the Leinster Cup final at 4 p.m.
It will be the last time that most of this group will play together as youths. They have had an outstanding record as a team since they began playing rugby, winning their first event at Under-12 and then a Leinster League title at Under-14.
