Wexfordsupporters.com

Wexford 1-16

Galway 0-14

Brendan Furlong - Irish Independent 9th April 2007

NHL quarter-final

A MAGNIFICENT overhead flicked goal from Wexford’s Eoin Quigley six minutes from time ensured the Model County a deserved victory over Galway in their National Hurling League quarter-final clash at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, yesterday.

In an enthralling contest, which saw the sides level eight times, passion and pride, matched with skill, saw Wexford dismantle the Westerners’ challenge.

Galway may have had the ideal start but they were unable to build on it as John Meyler’s charges took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Galway raced into a three-point lead inside three minutes through Iarlaith Tannian, Eugene Cloonan and Damian Hayes, but it failed to rock the Wexford side, who gradually played their way back into contention.

Wexford were back level at 0-3 apiece by the 10th minute through efforts from Paul Carley, Stephen Nolan and Michael Jacob.

With Nolan proving outstanding as a late replacement for Michael Doyle at centre-forward, the sides continued to trade points.

With Galway dependent on full-forward Cloonan, the sides were deadlocked at 0-7 each when Wexford goalkeeper Damian Fitzhenry saved magnificently from Kevin Broderick.

The save inspired Wexford, who edged in front, 0-9 to 0-8, with points from the Jacob brothers, Michael and Rory, after 29 minutes.

With play flowing from end to end it was an Iarlaith Tannian pointed effort that sent the sides in 0-9 each at the interval.

Galway manager Ger Loughnane was by no means happy with his attack, for he introduced Niall Healy and David Tierney for the second half.

The changes seemed to have the desired effect for Galway, who upped their game on the resumption, but apart from a Niall Healy 39th-minute point, they were unable to turn their possession into scores.

With Keith Rossiter magnificent at centre-back, and Diarmuid Lyng edging the midfield battle, Wexford began to take the initiative, but the sides were level for the eighth time in the game at 0-12 apiece after 48 minutes.

Scores at this stage were crucial but it was Wexford who met the challenge with some wonderful hurling.

Mitch Jordan, who had come on as a substitute, launched over a superb point, followed by further points from Michael Jacob and a superb effort from Darren Stamp, who had switched to centre-forward. Now leading 0-15 to 0-12, Galway were further rocked when a long high ball to the fringe of the square was flicked overhead to the net by Eoin Quigley, who had just moved to full-forward, leaving them with a six-point lead - 1-15 to 0-12 - with six minutes to go.

As Galway began their final surge in pursuit of scores, the Wexford defence held firm, with the half-back line of Willie Doran, Keith Rossiter and Ciaran Kenny the rock on which most of the Galway attacks perished.

A point from Eugene Cloonan ended a 20-minute scoreless spell for the Tribesmen, and Alan Kerins added another, but to demonstrate that it was their day, Wexford half-back Doran fired over a tremendous 80-metre point.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Galway, whose final bid for a goal saw Damian Fitzhenry once again deny Cloonan from a 21-metre free, with the Model County setting up a semi-final clash with old rivals Kilkenny on Sunday next.

Wexford manager Meyler could not hide his delight at his charges’ display.

“Coming into this game it was going to show how far we had come from the opening day defeat to Waterford. The side has worked hard since,” he said.

“They played magnificently out there today and thoroughly deserved everything they got. The passion and pride was back. That was my initial aim, to bring that back to Wexford hurling. Now we look forward to another huge clash with Kilkenny next Sunday.”

Galway manager Ger Loughnane had no excuses for his side’s display.

“We have no excuses, Wexford were the hungrier and more committed side on the day. It was a marvellous game of hurling.”

SCORERS - Wexford: E Quigley 1-1, S Nolan 0-3, D Lyng, R Jacob, M Jacob, P Carley 0-2 each, W Doran, D Stamp, B Lambert (1f), M Jordan 0-1 each. Galway: E Cloonan 0-6 (2f), I Tannian 0-4, A Kerins 0-2, D Hayes, N Healy 0-1 each.

WEXFORD - D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D Ruth, P Roche; W Doran, K Rossiter, C Kenny; K Kavanagh, D Lyng; M Jacob, S Nolan, E Quigley; P Carley, D Stamp, R Jacob. Subs: B Lambert for Carley; M Jordan for Kavanagh; R Kehoe for Nolan; D O’Connor for Quigley.

GALWAY - A Ryan; F Moore, D Hardiman, S Kavanagh; G Mahon, J Lee, D Forde; F Healy, D Collins; A Kerins, M Kerins, I Tannian; D Hayes, E Cloonan, K Broderick. Subs: N Healy for Broderick; D Tierney for M Kerins; G Farragher for Hayes; T Óg Regan for Collins.

REF - S McMahon (Clare).

Irish Independent Mon 9th April 

Wexford 2-10

Meath 0-9

THERE was heartbreak for the Wexford footballers at Wexford Park yesterday when, despite hammering Meath by seven points, the Royals still pipped them for a place in the Division 2 semi-finals.

Wexford needed an eight-point victory to overtake Meath, but failed by a single point as although the sides were level on points and scoring difference, Meath had a higher scoring rate.

Wexford were left to regret a number of missed chances, particularly at the end when they were awarded a free 30 metres from goal in injury-time, but Redmond Barry must have suffered a bout of nerves as he scuffed his kick along the ground.

There was also some controversy when Wexford had what seemed a perfect Ciaran Deeely point in the 58th minute signalled wide.

Wexford completely dominated the first half and Matty Forde pounced for a great goal before Rory Quinlivan added a second to give the home side a 2-9 to 0-2 lead at the interval.

SCORERS - Wexford: C Lyng 0-5 (2f); M Forde 1-1; R Quinlivan 1-0; C Deely, R Barry, E Bradley, A Morrissey 0-1 each. Meath: S Bray 0-4; B Farrell 0-4 (3f); J Sheridan 0-1 (f).

WEXFORD - J Cooper; C Morris, P Wallace, B Malone; G Sunderland, D Murphy, A Morrissey; E Bradley, T Howlin; C Deely, R Barry, A Flynn; C Lyng, P Colfer, M Forde. Subs: R Quinlivan for Howlin; N Murphy for Sunderland; P J Banville for Forde; P O’Dwyer for Deely; S Roche for Lyng.

MEATH - B Murphy; B O’Reilly, D Fay, C King; S McGabhann, K Reilly, E Harrington; M Ward, A Moyles; P Byrne, C McCarthy, G Geraghty; S Bray, B Farrell, C Ward. Subs: J Sheridan for McCarthy; R Maguire for Ward; N McKeigue for O’Reilly; N Crawford for King; S Kenny for Byrne.

REF - D Cahill (Tipperary)

Calling all punters, if you’re planning to beat the bookies at this years Cheltenham racing festival then don’t miss the Cheltenham Festival 2007 preview night in the Charlie Chawke owned The Goat Pub on Thursday 1^st of March at 8pm. This will be Dublin’s only free of charge

The prestigious panel of experts will be chaired by Brian Geraghty and will include the highly successful trainers Paul Nolan, Colm Murphy (trainer of festival favourite Brave Inca) and Damien McIlroy, chief racing correspondent of the Irish Independent, and Brian Flanagan  of the Star Newspaper. 

The night is being organised by the Dublin Branch of the Wexford GAA supporters’ club in association with Celtic Bookmakers and The Goat.Admission is free and all are welcome on the night.At the launch of the preview night Moses Morrissey, Chairman of the Wexford GAA supporters club in

‘…our panel is truly top class, and will I am sure give punters the inside track for this year’s festival. We are particularly delighted with the strong Wexford representation, proof that Wexford is a leading light in racing both at home and abroad.’ 

Also at the launch was Wexfordman and Celtic Bookmakers MD, Ivan Yates. He is delighted to be involved with the event, saying: ‘I’m delighted that Celtic Bookmakers are associated with this venture, we now have over 20 shops in

The night promises to be an enjoyable and hopefully a profitable one and is really an unmissable part of the build-up to the most-anticipated racing event of the year.Contacts:

Eoin McCarthy - 087 6561485 - eoin.m.mccarthy@gmail.com

Wexford 0-16 Tipperary 0-7

Division 2B  Wexford salvaged some pride and retained hopes of avoiding the drop to Division 4 of the league in 2008 and the consequent loss of a second chance in the Championship. To the surprise of the home crowd Mattie Forde and Diarmuid Kinsella while being both named in the programme failed to line out starting the game on the bench. 

The game was slow to come to life with Wexford leading by the narrowest of margins 0-2 to 0-1, after 18 minutes. However Wexford began to assert their dominance and through the efforts of Red Barry and Ciaran Deely went in leading 0-8 to 0-3 at the break, all Tipp’s scoring coming from Declan Browne PJ Banville started brightly, winning most of the ball that went into him and while he contributed just on point to the score, his performance was much improved on last weeks in Waterford. Banville lost much of this hard won ball something he must improve upon, but again on the plus side he was out in front getting possession in the first place.
 

Kinsella came on for Kennedy  around the 30th minute and was only on for about 5 mins in the 2nd when he was harshly red carded. From our vantage on the incident Wexford were attacking with the ball, and Kinsella was running forward on the wing. The Tipp no.2 was dragging him back and then struck him a punch to his stomach, Diarmuid swung around and kicked him while he was still holding onto him. The linesman called the referee and gave him a straight red but nothing to the no.2. As he left the pitch one of the Tipp mentors had confronted Kinsella, who did not rise to the bait and moved with his head bowed towards the subs area.  Tipp rallied and closed the gap leavening the scores at 0-11 to 0-6 after 49 minutes.

On about the 45^th minute Forde replaced Banville who received a warm acknowledgement of his efforts as he left the field. After his indifferent performance in Waterford Forde was a rejuvenated player hitting 3 good points after his introduction. Forde was again the centre of some opposition attention, receiving a kick, but to his credit he refused to get involved walking away from the flash point. Fordes assailant almost went unpunished and during the same incident the goal keeper came out and struck one of our lads. The keeper received a yellow with the linesman from the other side calling the referees attention to the attack on Forde but he was only given a yellow. David Fogarty was then upended and had to be stretchered off again this looked to deserve some stern action but ended in a yellow card. The referees performance was very poor with Wexford being the most aggrieved in particularly with the loss of Kinsella and Fogarty.
 

Overall it was a good win, young Malone was superb on Declan Browne did an excellent man marking job with only a few mistakes. Still not the polished team of 2 years ago but they seem to be improving. I think the selectors showed they were not afraid to drop the big names if they were not performing too. On the down side we’ll be without Kinsella for a month anyway and Fogarty’s injury did not look good. Next up Micko’s Wicklow in Aughrim, a big test but one this team should be a match for.
  SCORERS - Wexford: C Deely 0-6 (3f), R Barry (1f, 1 ‘45′), M Forde 0-3 each, K Kennedy, A Morrissey, PJ Banville, C Lyng 0-1 each. Tipperary: D Browne 0-6 (2f), M Phelan 0-1.

WEXFORD - J Cooper; B Malone, P Wallace, C Morris; G Sunderland, D Murphy, K Kennedy; R Stafford, D Fogarty; C Deely, P Colfer, A Morrissey; R Barry, PJ Banville, C Lyng. Subs: D Kinsella for Kennedy; M Forde for Banville, G Coleman for Fogarty, S Doran for Lyng, P Byrne for Stafford.  

TIPPERARY - P Fitzgerald; M Phelan, A Foley, A Morrissey; G Hannigan, N Curran, C Maher; K Mulryan, S Moloney; B Hickey, H Coughlan, D O’Brien; P Austin, M Lynagh, D Browne. Subs: M O’Brien for Hannigan, B Mulvihill for Lynagh, B Coen for Moloney, W Wallace for O’Brien.

After months of problems and the general mayhem with the old “free” forum, we have put a new forum live today.  Unfortuntly all old posts and information will be lost but to move foward we need to take a step back!  The link to the new forum is at http://www.wexfordsupporters.com/boards

We have also created a new blog that will be updated daily with all the news and views from the Wexford GAA scene.  In time we will add more features to the site.

 We need help with this to keep the site updated so can people please email me if they wish to help on info@wexfordsupporters.com

We will need board admins (Scalder on the old system) but also people to add and update content on the site.