BUNCLODY A.F.C. provided the facilities for the Under13 and Under-15 boys' indoor soccer competitions recently. Wexford Community Games wishes to thank them for the use of their premises, the teams and their managers for their co-operation, the young people who helped out with parking, co-ordinator Adrian Carr and the referees, Tony Noctor, Mark Sheridan and John Michael Porter.

There were some very good entertaining games during the day, with quite a number going into extra-time and even penalties were needed to separate some teams. Congratulations to the Under-13 team from the Castlebridge-Crossabeg Area who won this section, and to Ballycanew who took the Under-15 title.

There were 13 Under-13 teams entered. Round one matches saw Taghmon defeat Glynn-Barntown 9-0, Castlebridge-Crossabeg B defeat Rathgarogue-Cushinstown 2-0, Oulart defeat Newbawn-Raheen B 7-0, Ballycanew defeat Bree-Davidstown 2-0 on penalties, Castlebridge-Crossabeg A defeat Kilmore 6-0, Clonroche-Poulpeasty receive a walkover from Craanford, and Rathgarogue-Cushintown A defeat Newbawn-Raheen A 4-1.

Second round matches saw Taghmon overcome Castlebridge-Crossabeg B on a 3-1 scoreline, Ballycanew defeat Oulart 5-3 after extra-time, Castlebridge-Crossabeg A defeat Clonroche-Poulpeasty 5-1 and Rathgarogue-Cushinstown defeat Kilrush-Askamore 10-0.

Taghmon took on Ballycanew in the first semi-final. Luke Sinnott put Taghmon into a 1-0 half-time lead and that was how the match ended. Castlebridge-Crossabeg took on Rathgarogue-Cushinstown, and Damien Reck got them off to a good start with a fine goal as they led 1-0 at half-time.

Ronan Whelan pulled a goal back for RathgarogueCushinstown and the sides finished 1-1 at full-time. Castlebridge-Crossabeg came back with more urgency in the first session of extra-time and Conor Gormley sent the ball to the back of the net to give them that bit of comfort. Rathgarogue-Cushinstown did get a penalty in the second session but it was saved by the Castlebridge-Crossabeg goalie.

Taghmon then faced Castlebridge-Crossabeg in the final. This was a tight, close game and the sides were scoreless at half-time. Castlebridge-Crossabeg threatened to score more in the second-half, and finally that persistence paid off when Aaron Lambert sent the ball to the back of the net and won the title for his team.

The gold medal-winning side had Aaron Lambert, Ronan Devereux, Damien Reck, Seán Keane-Carroll, Conor Gormley and Dylan Potter playing for them, while the runners-up from Taghmon had Luke Sinnott, Stuart Murphy, Darren Hayden, Johnny Murphy, Barry Óg McGrath, Daniel Furlong, Stephen O'Gorman and Adam Winters on their panel.

There were eight Under-15 teams in action. Kilrush-Askamore received a walkover from Bree-Davidstown into round two where they were beaten 3-2 by Taghmon. Rathgarogue-Cushinstown defeated Newbawn-Raheen 3-2, Ballycanew defeated Clonroche-Poulpeasty 4-0 and Castlebridge-Crossabeg defeated Kilmore on a 3-2 scoreline.

In the first of the semi-finals, Taghmon took on Rathgarogue-Cushinstown. The sides were level (1-1) at halftime after goals by Eoin Connolly (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown) and Ian Carty (Taghmon).

There was no change in the second-half, but Jerome Dunne scored from a penalty in the second extra-time period and that gave Taghmon the game on a 2-1 scoreline.

In the other semi final, Ballycanew took on Castlebridge-Crossabeg. The sides were level (2-2) at half-time and they were still level at the end of normal time. It looked like it was going down to the wire with the dreaded penalties, but Ballycanew were awarded a penalty in the second period of extra-time and they sent the ball to the back of the net and won on a 3-2 scoreline.

The final featured Taghmon and Ballycanew. Adam Roche put Ballycanew into a 1-0 lead in the first-half. Cathal Dunbar was on top form for Ballycanew and he sent two quick goals to the back of the net in the secondhalf to leave them 3-0 ahead.

Taghmon fought valiantly and eventually Brendan Cullen got a goal back for his team, but they ran out of time and Ballycanew claimed the county title on a 3-1 scoreline.

Well done to the team of Darren Morris, Cathal Dunbar, Brian Cahill, Philip Doyle, Brian O'Connor and Adam Roche, and gallant runners-up Taghmon had Declan Carroll, Stephen Stafford, Ian Carty, James Carroll, Brandon Cullen, Jerome Dunne, Stephen O'Gorman and Darren Carty on their panel.

We cannot stress enough that no way will a team be allowed to play in a competition if their panel sheet has not been forwarded to the County Secretary before the competition takes place.

No panel sheets will be accepted on the day of competition. Make sure that each competitor signs their own name on the sheet as it will be checked against that on the signature sheet on the day of competition. Area Secretaries and team managers, please take note.

A reminder that the closing date for receipt of entries for the outdoor team events is Friday, March 5. Please make sure that your Area gets entries in on time.

The draws will be made on Monday, March 8. Absolutely no entries will be taken after Monday, March 8.

DIARY DATES

Saturday, February 6: National Area and Volunteer awards in Ballinasloe. Wexford represented by the Castlebridge-Crossabeg Area in the Adult and Youth volunteer and area awards sections.

Sunday, February 7: indoor soccer for girls in Bunclody. Registration at 9 a.m. sharp and games under way at 9.30 a.m.

Friday, February 12: county model-making competition in Ballymurn Hall. Registration at 6 p.m., with competition under way at 6.30 p.m. Make sure that your competitors bring their own boards and equipment.

Saturday, February 13: county finals of the choir competition in Ballycanew.