Enniscorthy finished off their AIL 2B league campaign on Saturday last with a fine win against Malone (Belfast) scoring 6 tries to the visitors 5. The windy conditions were horrendous and Enniscorthy had it in their backs in the opening 40 minutes playing into the town side. They knew as result that they needed to build a big score which they effectively did scoring 4 tries but poor defending at times allowed the visitors to score 3 tries and the margin at half time looked to tight for comfort.

The  visitors struck first blood after just 8 minutes when they intercepted an Enniscorthy pass intercept from down the right wing and Tane Hotham skyed for the opening score. Matty Rae missed the conversion.

It was a clear warning for the home team that Malone chasing a win to finish 4th in the table meant business.

Enniscorthy responded however to score their opening try  5 minutes later from an aggressive attack Ivan Jacobs blistering pace got him inside the cover for an excellent touchdown. Ben Kidd added the conversion to put them in front and it was a lead that they were not to lose.  Although they were pushed hard by Malone especially in the 1st half

Nick Doyle scored the 2nd try after good work by James Doyle and Tony Ryan. Ben Kidd added the convert to put the home team 14-5 in front.

They scored their 2nd try after some excellent work by their forwards they made their visit inside the Enniscorthy 22 pay when the scored in the corner with Ricky Greenwood touching down. The conversion was missed. 14-10.

Malone were not making it easy for Enniscorthy  although from tremendous drive from the forwards when it looked like they all touched the ball down we gave the score to MJ Doyle. The conversion was missed. Malone bounced back again to punish poor tackling and this time their number 8 Michael Crothers scored the try  but again their attempt at the conversion was missed in fairness ity almost impossible to kick into the gale force wind.  Enniscorthy did score another vital try before the break. Ivan Jacob broke through the cover again to get important 4th try just before the half time whistle and a 26-15 lead at the break.

Enniscorthy now had to face the full force off the wind and it was going to be a real test which it was but the Enniscorthy boys produced arguably one of the best 40 minutes seen at Alcast Park for a long long time.

The coaches Brett Igoe and Declan O’Brien’s plan worked to perfection. They decided to bring in 2 ball carriers Tom Ryan and Marco Byrne off the bench and to every ones surprise  they moved James Doyle into the centre and the moves proved to be a master stroke on the coaches behalf as it worked to perfection. Their defence and ball carrying were exemplary. It was controlled and precise which allowed the opposition very little opportunity to get their hands on the ball.

They also were to score to excellent tries. Both tries came from lineouts one from the road side when they took down and set up the maul and it was Rhyan Whelan who got in for the score..

The 2nd try and 6th of the match was a well worked training ground move with hooker Davy Murphy  throwing to the front to MJ Doyle who in turn gave it back to Murphy who had scrumhalf Fiacre Hourihane on his outside and the scrumhalf in turn had Nick Doyle on his right and Doyle scored the try using his long reach to touch down in the corner,

Although Malone did score a breakaway try through Davy McMaster Enniscorthy had done enough to ensure a bonus point win after a magnificent 2nd half performance.

There was a fantastic atmosphere in the club house after the game, Tony Ryan received his Man of the Match award from President Liam Spratt and he made a fine speech to his teammates and supporters alike afterwards. Although on the day it was hard to pick one player from a fantastic team performance but also a special work for Issac Kearney who at 18 years of age and doing his leaving cert was immense in the front row.

It was a difficult season for Enniscorthy who won their opening home game impressively back in September but the most of the season they hit the crossbar on far too many occasions and lost a lot of games  narrowly but after Christmas they got their old mojo back and won 4 of their last 6 games.

They had a lot of long journeys this season which is not easy. Next season the Division 2 leagues are to be spilt in 2 North and 2 South which will mean less traveling.

Team: MJ Doyle ( Andy Redmond 70min), Davy Murphy, Issac Kearney, Tomas Stamp ( Marco Byrne 40min).Timmy Morrissey , Lee Tracy ( Mickey McVeigh 65min),James Doyle, Tony Ryan (Capt),Fiacre Hourihane, Ben Kidd(Conal Kervick 50 mins),Rhyan Whelan, Shane McGuire, Nick Doyle, Ivan Jacob, Jack Kelly.