Enniscorthy made the long journey on Saturday to Crowley Park in Galway City East to face the League leaders Galwegians with the home team prevailing at the end of a really good entertaining game. 

The Galway men have blown every other team in this division apart this season but they have been helped by the assistance of some Connacht Academy players Finn Tracy, Jarred Butler and Conor O’Shaughnessy.

Enniscorthy really took the game to the home team with a particularly progressive approach from their forwards who were on song right from the kick off and as result they really had the home team on the back foot in the early exchanges. Enniscorthy should have made their forward dominance tell in the opening 15 minutes but  it remained tight with both sides trading blows without effect until the home team were caught offside. 

Out half Conal Kervick kicked a superb penalty from 45 meters.

The lead was short lived however because Enniscorthy made a hash of the drop off and the home team moved the ball swiftly as they broke out wide with Ryan Smith touching down for the 5 pointer. Out half Tiernan Neville missed the conversion. 

When Enniscorthy kept the ball in the forwards they looked dangerous but likewise when the game was loose the home teams backs really attacked the space that ultimately punished the visitors.

Enniscorthy continued to take the game to the opposition and were very nearly in for a try when a neat ground kick from Kervick was chased down by Shane McGuire who almost touched down before the ball ran out of the try zone. 

Five minutes later a kick from Fullback Ben Kidd pinned the home team on their own line and they conceded a penalty try after pulling down the maul. They also had Oisin McNicholas yellow carded, and that score put Enniscorthy 10-5 in front.

Five minutes later Enniscorthy were down a man after MJ Doyle was carded for inappropriate language. Enniscorthy had won a scrum, but the decision was reversed after the yellow card.

The home team took advantage and moved the ball away swiftly Darragh Kennedy scored their 2nd try and conversion was added to put them back Infront 12-10.

The 1st half scoring was not yet finished, and it was Enniscorthy who scored again.

They took the ball down from a perfect line out 15 meters from the end line and they produced a brilliant drive with Davy Murphy touching down in the right corner and with Ben Kidd adding a superb convert from the sideline it put the visitors 12-10 Infront but again the lead was short lived.

Enniscorthy lost possession in the Galwegians half and when the ball came to centre Finn Treacy, he applied the after burners and shot through the Enniscorthy cover and showed the class that we saw when he was part of the successful Irish U20 team that won the Triple Crown. 

Enniscorthy will still be disappointed with their feeble tackling efforts. Ciaran O’Saughenessy added the extra points, and the home team went in leading 19 -17 at the break.

10 minutes into the 2nd half the home team added to their tally and again it was a tale of missed tackles which allowed Jack Winters to score their 4th and bonus try.

Tom Ryan came in and Enniscorthy were not going away and drew level in the 54th minute when Davy Murphy was on the end of another excellent Enniscorthy maul.

Ben Kidd kicked the conversion from the sideline to level the match.

O’Shaughnessy knocked over a penalty kick to push the table toppers in front again.

Galwegians finished strongly scoring 2 further tries’ as Enniscorthy’s had lost Tomas Stamp to a yellow card and then  resistance wilted after such a brave effort. Centre Rob Deasy scoring both tries. Enniscorthy did have a chance of securing a losing bonus point at the end of the game on 2 occasions they camped on the Galwegians line. They knocked on the ball when a try looked on and then in the final play of the match, they were held up over the line so the chance went a begging.

It was a terrific brave performance from Enniscorthy with their forwards simply outstanding and matched the team that certainly look the leaders of the division in all aspects of play.

The Enniscorthy backs however will be disappointed with the number of tackles they missed but in conclusion the final scoreline does scant justice to the Enniscorthy boys’ brave effort. They have been so close in all of their matches they are still hoping that the tide will soon turn in their favour.

They also lined out without James Doyle who will play in the leinster Junior Hurling final with Davidstown Courtnacuddy in the Junior Hurling Final this coming Sunday.

A special mention for winger Anthony Byrne who made his debut after Jack Kelly was ruled out with a thumb injury. The leaving cert student acquitted himself really well.
 

Team: Ore Lasisi, Davy Murphy, MJ Doyle (Andrew Redmond 67min), Marco Byrne (Tom Ryan 65min), Tomas Stamp (Mickey McVeigh 65min) Tony Ryan (MJ Doyle 76min), Lee Treacy, Timmy Morrissey, Fiachra Hourihane, Conal Kervick, Miguel Byrne, Shane McGuire, Rhyan Whelan, Anthony Byrne, Ben Kidd.

Next  game. AIL Div 2B Enniscorthy vs Sligo Alcast Park Saturday 6th December 2.30pm KO.