Wexford Wanderers RFC Match Reports

Match Reports

Senior Team

Leinster League.

Wexford Wanderers RFC 39 : 3 Rathdrum RFC

Richard Morris, Ibar Conway, Gavin Doyle, Mick Doyle, John Sudds Sutherland, Chris Welsh, Aidan Chicken Stewart, Mark Whelan, James O'Connor, Maurice Logue, Sean O'Corcora, John Flynn, Robert Casey, Mark Goodison, Mikey Hanrahan, Kyle Roche, Mick Bolger, Anthony Walsh, Brendan Mulligan, Nicky Lambert, Donal Power.

Wanderers put their League campaign back on track with an emphatic victory over Rathdrum at Park Lane on Sunday. Wexford scored no less than five tries over the eighty minutes and held their opposition to a mere three points. This was accomplished despite Wexford having to deal with numerous enforced positional changes due to a recent run of injuries and enforced sabaticals. Wexford had territorial dominance for the first twenty minutes but struggled to break the dead lock with several opportunities let slip by. The deadlock was broken however when slick interpassing between Casey, Flynn and Logue allowed the latter find space to crash over for the first score of the game out wide on the left. This went unconverted however similar to the previous week Flynn was a hundred percent from the boot thereafter. In total he accounted for a further four conversions and two penalties. The forwards continued to dominate up front testing the opposition with assertive direct running. Soon after the first touch down a series of forward dominated phases resulted in straight hands to the left where Mikey Hanrahan was on hand to crash over to add his try. Again Sudds assisted in the line to spread the ball wide and helping to create the overlap. Another try was added when Rathdrums left winger failed to deal with a high ball. The resulting pick and drives from the pack soon found Captain Chicken who crashed through the defence to put Wexford well in the ascendancy. The home side turned twenty two points to three ahead. Similar to the first quarter of the game Wexford lacked the clinical touch and indeed were a little sluggish. This was probably due as much to a concerted effort by Rathdrum than Wexford lowering the intensity. There is only one thing worse than loosing and that is conceding a bonus point in the process. Rathdrum didn't have the match of the Wexford forwards and Mark Whelan made good yardage when picking from the base of the scrum. He was rewarded with his own try on the half hour when a concerted maul from the forwards drove a beleaguered Rathdrum defence backwards. Not to be outdone Mick Doyle in the dying minutes intercepted close to the half way and was rewarded with a gallop from the halfway to score his own try and embellish Wexfords dominance. Next week Wexford who have a game in hand host Dublin side Swords at home. A win here will put Wexford second and only three points behind the leaders. Swords have struggled in this division but Wexford may be warned Swords results of late have improved dramatically and if allowed could punish complacency. With every game mounting in importance for Wexford increased home support is essential and most welcome. Kick off three pm on Sunday next.

Fixtures

J4's

LATEST NEWS
U.13's still await the winner of the Metro section in their next Leinster League game.
U.14's have recieved a home draw v Skerries in the Leinster League. Date to be confirmed later.
U.15's await either Tullamore or Longford in their Leinster League fixture. Again date to be confirm.
U.17's play Navan in Leinster Q.Final in Wexford on Jan.30th
Minis will play Waterpark and Clonmel in Waterpark on Feb.27th

RESULTS for Jan.23rd
Unfortunately the Minis were cancelled this Saturday due to the pitch conditions. With three home games to be played it was not possible to accomodate the Minis.

U.13's lost 26 - 24 away to Gorey
U.14's won at home to Gorey
U.15's lost 7 - 0 at home to Gorey
U.17's lost 22 - 0 away to Gorey

UNDER 17's GO DOWN TO WATERPARK
Wexford ...10 Waterpark ...12
The Under 17's travelled to Waterpark on Sat. morning for a friendly which was a very useful excercise as it gave an opportunity to many fringe players to get some game time. It was a close affair with Wexford defending for the majority of the first half. However it was a Jordan Ryan try that opened the scoring for Wexford. Waterpark bounced back with a try of their own which when converted gave them a 7-5 half time lead. A further try by Waterpark extended their lead to 12-5. A dylan Joyce-Ahearne try for Wanderers narrowed that gap to 12-10 but that is the way it remained at the final whistle.
Team: Ciaran Kavanagh, Dylan Lawlor, Michael Maguire, Dan French, Johnny Craiciun, Zak Corrish, Carthaigh Geoghegan, Stephen Dwyer(Capt.), Dylan Joyce-Ahearne, Jack O'Connor, Liam Hartigan, Colm O'Corcora, Darragh Kehoe, Jordan Ryan, Craig Wright. Subs: Niall Scallan, James Roche, Robbie Edwards, Dean Kehoe.

Sunday, February 14, 2010
Carlow 28 Wexford 0
The Under 17's gave too much respect to Carlow, who were in the Premier Leinster Final last week, and found themselves 14-0 down after 10 mins. For the remainder of the first half Wexford were well in contention and dominated the possession and territory but were unable to breach a strong Carlow defense.James Roche,Dan French, Glen Murphy and Johnny Craiciun all carried the ball well.
Wexford attacked for a large period of the second half but still could not make the break through.Carlow managed two late scores to rap this up 28-0.It gave Wexford a taste of Premier Division opposition and with a few better decisions and a greater belief then this scoreline would have been a lot different.

Under 17 Leinster Div.1 League Q-Final
Wexford Wanderers...45 Navan...5
A fantastic result and the manner in which it was achieved was so pleasing. They had to absorb pressure for the first 15 minutes but never buckled.Following a driving maul up field and the resulting scrum Dylan Joyce-Ahearne snagged his opposing scrumhalf and forced his way over the line.
Following this the team lifted their intensity and Ciaran Kavanagh crashed over to increase the lead before half time. Jack O'Connor added the conversion to make it 12-0.
The second half was all Wexford and they turned the screw immediately with another try from Ciaran Kavanagh.Further tries were added by Cartaigh Geoghegan 2,Craig Wright and Marco Pons.Jack O'Connor converted four of these to leave Wanderers with a huge tally of 45 points.Navan got a consolation score at the end but the victory was all Wexfords.
It was wonderful to watch and the large crowd marveled at the clinical execution. Fintan,Bobby,Colm and Mark deserved huge praise for the manner in which this team was prepared and we wish them luck in the quest for the League title.
Thank you to Brendan Barry for the photos of Dylan,Ciaran and Cartaigh on the way to scoring their tries.

UNDER 17's TOP TABLE
DIV 1 SOUTH
1 WEXFORD 25
2 PORTLAOISE 24
3 RATHDRUM 16
4 PORTARLINGTON 9
5 GUINNESS 9
6 ARKLOW 9
7 ENNISCORTHY B 9
8 CLONDALKIN 8

Wexford Wanderers will now have a home Q-Final v Navan B possibly on Sat.23rd Jan.

Under 17 Leinster League Div.1
Wexford Wanderers...24 Arklow...5

A great win for Wanderers which now gaurentees them top spot in their League section and secures a home venue for the Q-Final. Two tries from Conor Goff and one each from Mark Tackas and Craig Wright. Jack O'Connor kicked two conversions.
Ciaran Kavanagh,Karl Walsh,Michael McGuire,Dan French,Johnny Craiciun,Crathaigh Geoghegan,Stephen Dwyer,Mark Tackas,Dylan Joyce-Ahearne,Jack Stafford,Conor Goff,Colm O,Corcora,Jordan Ryan,Craig Wright and Colm Browne. Subs used:Niall Scallan,Jack Whelan,Kevin Mureithi and James Roche.

Under 15 Leinster Seeding Game
Wexford Wanderers...0 Wicklow...15

FABULOUS FIFTEENS
Leinster U.15 Cup First Rd.
Gorey...26 Wexford Wanderers ...31
When the draw was made for this Cup and Wexford saw that Gorey was the opposition there was a colective exhale, 'not Gorey again'. Having played each other 4 times already this season in various competitions, Gorey had the advantage of knowing that they had won 3 of those encounters. However the Cup is different. Wanderers trained hard for this and were certainly up for the challenge. Gorey opened in determined style and were over the Wexford line early to lead 7-0. The Wexford lads responded in telling fashion and following a flowing move involving many off loads they were level when winger Ruairi Devereux crossed for a try which was converted by Tom Hudson, 7-7. Gorey replied again and stretched their lead to 14-7 but this was short lived as Ruairi Devereux once again set off on one of his runs to score again, 14-12. Again Gorey piled on the pressure and went into a comanding lead with two further tries before half time to lead 26-12.
While the scoreline looked ominous for Wexford, this team were far from down. Tries from Nick Jones, Steve Roche and the final piece of the hat-trick from Ruairi Devereux but Wanderers back in front. Two superb touch line conversions from Eoin Roche added to the tally and Wexford were now in front and not going to surrender. Gorey were left shell shocked and Wanderers progressed into Rd.2.
Team: Collie Joyce-Ahearne(Capt.), Tadgh O'Brien, Steve Roche, Tom Brennan, Darragh Comiskey,John Gannon,Nick Jones, Shane McGuinness, Conor Foley,Eoin Roche, Josh Healy, Donnacha Carroll, Ruairi Devereux, Liam Barry, Tom Hudson. Subs: Chris Culleton, Sean Stafford and Daniel Murphy.

UNDER15's BEAT ENNISCORTHY 22-19
Our U.15 side travelled to Enniscorthy on Sat. morning for a South East League game and returned victorious. They won 22-19 with tries scored by Collie Joyce-Ahearne who got two,Ruairi Devereux and Steve Roche. Tom Hudson kicked a conversion.This win moves Wexford into third place in the league behind Wicklow and Gorey. But Wexford still have a home game v Wicklow to come. It is very competitive in this section. Next week Wexford renew their relationship with Gorey, this time in the First Rd. of the Cup. We owe them a beating lads.

Saturday, January 30th., 2010

Blog Report
SUPER 15's
Under 15 Leinster League
Wexford Wanderers...8 Longford...7
What a titanic tussle this was.Longford arrived in Wexford with a swagger and fancied their big team to do the bussiness.They took for granted that size was what mattered. What they failed to see was the size of the hearts under the Wexford jerseys.Wanderers began very well and spent most of the first half in the Longford half.But it was not until close to half time that they managed to cross the line.It was an oppertunist try by scrum half Conor Foley who created a gap and went through to score a fine try.
The second half saw Wexford on the defensive and it was only after 5 minutes when Lonford breached the defence to score a converted try to put them 7-5 ahead. Wexford defended and defended again with some relentless tackling by Donnacha Carroll and Josh Healy in the centres.Steve,Collie,Shane and Nick also put their bodies on the line.Finally a run by Ruairi Devereux relieved the pressure and got Wexford upfield.Following an infringement at the scrum Wexford were awarded a penelty.From 30m Tom Hudson stayed calm and slotted the ball between the posts to give Wanderers the slenderest of leads.It was back to defend again but Wexford were determined to see the next round and great joy was expressed at the sound of the final whistle.
Well done to coaches Peter,Pat,Ray and Billy for having the team so well prepared.

Under 14 Friendly
Wexford Wanderers...12 Boyne...20

Under 13 Leinster League
Blog Report

Under 13's Wolfhounds beat New Ross

U.13's REACH LEINSTER Q-FINALS
The u13's travelled to play Carlow at the weekend .Wexford were on top from the start and it wasn't long before wing James Stafford broke through on the right for the first try.Further Wexford pressure ensued and the other winger Kevin Mahoney scored under the posts, from a lovely cross-field kick from outhalf Matt Doyle. An interception by full back Joe O'Connor rounded off the half .Score at half time 19- 0 to Wanderers.
Wexford were in full flow and Kevin Mahoney scored 2 more tries. A number of changes were made without any upset to the rhythm. Openside flanker Luke Lacey made a great break and ran the field to score his first try of the season .
The backs were running rampant and Stephen Lyne was playing out of his skin.The forwards were definitely having an off day being pushed back time and again.With the game in the final moments Carlow scored a consolation try .Final score, Carlow 7 Wexford 38.

Team: Bill Quaid, Martin Whelan, Greg McGrath,Ciaran Kirwan, Niall O'Donnaigan, Daire MacCormack, Luke Lacey, Conor Halligan, Andrew Maguire, Matt Doyle, Kevin Mahoney, Jack Stafford, Sephen Lyne, James Stafford, Joe O'Connor[capt], Neil Beaver, Cian O'Keeffe, Cormac Conway, Conor Glynn. Johnny Hamilton, Ciaran Joyce, Thomas O'Leary and Luke Roche.

Leinster Cup Under 13
Wexford Wanderers ...12 Cill Dara ...10

The quest for Leinster glory has begun. Everyone arrived early to begin preparations and to get suitably warmed up . With the team talk over and photos taken, all were ready for the whistle. Cill Dara were an unknown quantity, a new challenge. Wexford were quick into the battle and sustained early injuries to Matt Doyle and Cian O'Keeffe, the later needed to be replaced by Neil Beaver . Wexford pushed Cill Dara back to there 22 time and time again but were unable to go any further. There were too many knock ons and valuable teritory was lost. Wexford now started to move the ball wide but the final pass would go incomplete. James Tackacs was replaced by Aaron Ryan -due to injury.With half time looming Jack Stafford gave a deep pass to captain Joe O'Connor who side-steped the first tackler and ran around the Cill Dara defence to ground under the posts, Matt Doyle duly converted. Cill Dara moved up a gear and put Wexford on the back foot but resilient defending from forwards Ciaran Kirwan , Niall O'Donnigan, Conor Halligan and Greg McGrath in particular helped to keep them out. Half-time Wexford lead 7 0. The second half started at a breakneck pace, Cill Dara were throwing everything at the Wanderers and finally their outhalf-Cormac Delaney kicked ahead and ran on to it to score out wide. Crucially the convertion was missed.Wexford made a number of changes, Cormac Conway on for Ciaran Joyce at loose head, Andrew Maguire moving to scrum half and Luke Lacey to open side flanker. The scrum started to provide a better quality ball and Jack Stafford[our MVP] urged the team forward .Matt Doyle kicked a lovely cross field ball to Neil Beaver to run onto and touchdown .Wexford now led 12 - 5. Again the Kildare men surged down the field and after heavy pressure scored a try on the left to make it 12 - 10. Wexford held on for the final few minutes to score a memorable victory.The large crowd present showed their appreciation for both teams.Well done lads.

History was created on Sat 13th when Wexford Wanderers RFC fielded 2 teams at under 13's at the same time. The first thing to happen was the 'B's' were redubbed the Wexford Wolfhounds.
Their was great enthusium for this new departure,and everybody was there well before kick off, in order to prepare.The Wolfhounds were off the leash and had New Ross pinned down in their 22 early on, Johnny Hamilton scored the first ever try.This was quickly followed by another by Andrew Maguire, both were converted by Kevin Bierney.
New Ross now found their legs and piled on the pressure, this was rewarded by two unconverted tries. The score at half time, Wolfhounds 14 New Ross 10
Afew personnel changes were made and it was business as usual with Luke Roche scoring in the corner.This went unconverted.New Ross came again but try as they might they always came up short.Final score Wexford Wolfhounds 19 New Ross 10 Team manager Philip Stafford was delighted with the performance and looked forward to more outings for this promising young team.

U.13 WALKOVER
The Under 13's have recieved a walkover from Seapoint as they are unable to field a team.Wexford will now meet Navan in the Leinster Semi-Final. Date to be arranged.

UNDER 13's BEAT ENNISCORTHY IN S.E.L. 33-12
With the Seapoint debacle behind us it was back to the South East League against our old foes Enniscorthy, the management were wary as the last confrontation had been a narrow 5-7 victory back in December, and so it proved. Wexford were nervous and squandered a number of chances before a cross field kick from Matt Doyle sent Jack Stafford over in the corner.
Enniscorthy stepped up a gear and made a number of half breaks and they scored a great try just before half time .Score at the break, Wexford 5 Enniscorthy 5.
Bill Quaid came on for the injured Ciaran Joyce and this lead to a better scrum platform.Then Enniscorthy intercepted and after a number of phases took the lead with a converted try.
This was the spur Wexford needed. Martin Whelan, Matt Doyle, Kevin Mahoney, Joe O'Connor and Daire MacCormack were to the fore.Wave after wave of pressure got them up to the 22 and Joe O'Connor broke the gain line and scored under the posts.Almost immediately Jack Stafford kicked cross field for winger Kevin Mahoney to score under the posts ,both were converted.
Wexford were rampant now and Joe O'Connor and Daire MacCormack added further tries .Final score Wexford 33 Enniscorthy 12.This was a hard faught game and the scoreline does flatter to some extent.

Under 13's v Gorey Match Report
Conditions were perfect for rubgy and our captain elected to play down hill for the first half.Gorey were out of the trap very fast and putting Wexford on the back foot. Wexford intercepted a Gorey move and grounded under the posts. Outhalf Matt Doyle converted.Gorey responded immediately and scored in the corner from a lovely worked backs try.
More Gorey pressure but then our forwards bagan to take control.A good ball was produced for first centre Jack Stafford to kick cross field to put Kevin Mahoney over in the corner.
It was now a forwards battle;boths side driving,rucking and mauling.Then scrum-half Andrew Maguire made a half break, the pack followed out and scored a push-over try ,last to surface was Luke Lacey.Score at half time 5 --17 .
Wexford started where they left off Matt Doyle gave a glorious pass to Joe O'Connor who ran through the Gorey defence to touch down Luke Lacey converted .Then all went wrong wexford conceeded 3 trys . Ball handling and over elaboration to the fore.
Anyway the game was tied at 24 --24 and Gorey had an acute angle conversion which the kicker duely converted to win 26--24.
Team Ciaran Joyce,[Barry Murphy]' Martin Whelan, Greg McGrath'Ciaran Kirwan' Niall O'Donnagain,Daire McCormack,Luke Lacey, Connor Halligan, Andrew Maguire, Matt Doyle, Jack Stafford, Stephen Lyne, Kevi Mahoney[James Stafford] Cian O'Keeffe [Neil Beaver].

Wexford Wanderers U13's 2nd XV v Gorey 2nd XV
This was a very lively encounter with the ball being move at speed. Errors were at a minimum.Gorey got off to a great start running in 2 trys. Johnny Hamilton took control and reorganized the lads.Frankie Hynes caught the eye and scored for the Wanderers
Atfer the break Maurice Walsh assertrd himself and sent Conor Glynn over. Stalward tackling by the forwards kept Goerey out. Aaron Ryan caught the eye. The game was poised at 10--10.Unfortunately Gorey got the all important final try and went on to win 10--17.
James Tackacs. Aaron Ryan,BilQuaid,BarryMurphy,Thomas O'Leary,Luke Roche Cormac Conway,Johnny Hamilton, Maurice Walsh,Martin Whelan,Kevin Bierney. Barry Cronin Frankie Hynes.

Under 12's

Blitz v Gorey
A great mornings rugby was enjoyed by all who participated. It was a bright sunny morn at Park Lane and over 200 kids had lots of rugby in the muck. A large gathering of parents watched as their young men rose to the Gorey challenge.All teams performed very well.

Mini Fixtures

Jan.16 Gorey (H)
Feb.13 Tullow (A)
Feb.27th Waterpark and Clonmel (A)
Mar.6 Arklow and Waterpark (H)
Mar.27 Wicklow (A)
Apr.17 Kilkenny (H)

Mar.6 Arklow and Waterpark (H)

A beautiful Saturday morning at Park Lane was celebrated with a feast of Mini Rugby with well over 250 players enjoying the Mini Blitz. As usual Wexford enjoyed great success.

Ben McGuinness, Tony Boggan and Daniel O'Regan

Maurice Logue in action against Waterpark

Young Maurice Logue in action v Waterpark

Luke and Lorcan Lacey, brothers in arms. Photo from Blog

Tag Rugby

Bud Light Tag Registrations Now Live
Tag rugby teams have begun organising their season all over the country as registrations went live online for Bud Light Tag, the IRFU's Tag Rugby programme.

New Bud Light Tag Venues In 2010
On Thursday January 7, 2010, registrations for Bud Light Tag, the only official IRFU Tag rugby programme in Ireland, will go live on www.irfutag.ie.

Vixens 2010

Vixens

Sunday seen the first match of the Leinster League for Wexford Vixens. They played a very tuff side New Ross. The first half got underway seeing great defense from the vixens. This paid off with the first try coming from the Wexford girls putting in heavy tackles and rucking the width of the pitch when Carrie Doyle broke away and made a run the try line but got tackled just short of the line; Doyle popped the ball off to Jill Hamilton who scored to the right of the post.
The second try of the game wasn't far behind when Rose Flynn broke Ross defense line on the half way line and made a lot of ground. She then side stepped Ross first centre and passed of to Katie Fitzhenry who was missed tackled by their full back, Katie finished off with a try under the post which she then converted

Going into the second half the Vixens were feeling the pressure as the pitch conditions on the day were very wet and took a lot out of the girls. But they dug deep and it paid off when Maria Busher made a break from outside the 22 with Lynda Casey close on her heels. Maria took on a Ross defender and passed it out to Lynda who had turned and scored the third try for Wexford.

New Ross put up a great fight and managed to rob a lot of Wexford's balls in the ruck's. Wexford kept New Ross in their own half for majority of the match. They tried to make a lot of breaks down the wings but were quickly closed down by the Wexford Defense.

The third try of the match came from Wexford no eight Carrie Doyle she picked the ball off the back of a ruck and managed to break out of two tackle before going under the post for a score. This try was then converted by Katie Fitzhenry. At this stage Wexford made a substitution Fleur Moran who made a great impact to the team especially in the rucks and also in ball carrying.

Katie Fitzhenry once again made a break for the posts which started from great passing from across the pitch. She was taking across the line with a Wexford maul but was held up. From this Wexford had a five yard scrum, in which Doyle picked from the back of the scrum with a great last effort form the Vixens she was driven over the line for her second try of the game. Leaving the final score 29-0.
Person of the match deservedly went to Carrie Doyle.

No one could be faulted through out the match a great team effort was seen from all. Players that shone out to name a few was Annie Rowe who put in huge tackles. We lost count of how many balls were turned over by Terri O'Connor. Ciara McDonald did not stop until the last whistle getting involved in every ruck. Maria Busher was great at creating space on the wings. Our scrum half Barbara Hamilton had an outstanding performance, making great passes through out game. Shenda Moran made a lot of ground and also took a lot of heavy tackles. Jenny Ryan and Amy Farrell also took a lot of heavy tackles. A big thank you goes out to our coaches Noel Ferguson and Fintan Bolger and the ref on the day Pat Ryan.

A poor first half permance saw the Vixens loose to Clondalkin on Sunday. Clondalkin pushed through a less than impressive Wexford side with four try's and two conversions. With only ten minutes to go in the first half Wexford gained momentum and full back Linda Casey got down the right wing scoring Wexfords try close to the posts.
The Second half showed a much improved Vixens squad with everyone putting themselves on the line for the ball. What ever was said at half time obviously worked to great avail. The Wexford squad were impressive in line outs, winning 90% of the ball. Rucking had greatly improved from last weeks wining game against Ross. Wexford didn't lose any ball on the ground this was a great achievement in itself considering the extremely poor condition of the pitch on the day.
Great team work and support put pressure on the Clondalking side leaving second half scoreless. Leaving the final score 22 - 5.
Player of the match went to Katie Fitzhenery.
Thanks again to managers Noel Fergusion and Fintan Bolger.
New member always welcome, training Wednesday and Friday @ half seven in Park Lane. For further information Contact Terri on 0862065214

Fixtures and Results