SLANEY OLYMPIC A.C.

The final county cross-country race of the season, the county Masters, took place on January 8 at Lingstown, Tomhaggard. Conditions were mild and dry, and congratulations to the race organisers for an excellent, well-managed event.

The Slaney team was impressively out in force with seven ladies and 14 men competing. Many outstanding performances brought gold and bronze for the ladies, and gold for the men's team.

The ladies' race over 3 km was won by Jackie Carty of Kilmore A.C. (11.28). Catherine Murphy of Slaney was second (11.37), and third was Ann Sullivan of D.M.P. (12.09). There was also a good performance from Siobhán O'shea, finishing fourth for Slaney (12.52).

Third home for Slaney, making up the gold team, was Ciara Kearney in eighth overall. The bronze team was made up of Sabina Sweeney (ninth), Helena Browne (tenth) and Gretta Roberts-tyrell (12th).

A competitive men's race saw the top six within 20 seconds of each other over 6 km. The race won by a Slaney one-two of Jim Stafford (21.38) and Dave Barron (21.44), and in third place was Tommy Mcelwaine of S.B.R. (21.49). Third home for Slaney was Martin Monaghan in fifth position (21.58), making up the gold team.

As well as the regular club members, special mention to the new club members of Matty Nylan and John O'sullivan who went out and ran for their club in their first cross-country race, and also to Seamus Jordan who ran his first crosscountry race. All finished in respectable times.

The Enniscorthy 10k walk and road race will be held on Sunday, February 12, and is €15 entry before February 8. You can register online at www.slaneyolympic.com. Entry on the day will be €20. All new club members are welcome to join, and training is on Tuesday/thursday at Bellefield at 6.30 p.m. on the back pitch and from Abbey Square on Sundays at 8.30 a.m.

GOREY RANGERS F.C.

The first team had no game last weekend. The second team was away to Wexford Bohs in the league. Rangers controlled the game from start to finish, and ran out deserved 3-1 winners. Rangers' goals were scored by the prolific Gary Murphy (two) and the hardworking Joe Bolger.

The third team was away to fellow league contenders North End. This was always going to be a close game, with just two points separating the teams at the top of the league before kick-off.

However, Rangers produced a very professional, well-organised display, winning the game 1-0 to maintain their place at the top of the table. Rangers' goal was scored by David Behan.

S. B. R. A. C.

Sliabh Buidhe Rovers A.C. held its A.G.M. on Thursday evening last in the boxing club in Ferns. In the election of officers, Luke Kehoe was returned as club Chairman, while Don Redmond was also returned as club Vice-chairman.

In new placings were Louise Kehoe as Secretary, Catherine Walsh as Treasurer and Denis Moynihan as club captain. For the first time the club appointed a ladies' captain, with Mary Doyle being awarded the position. Paul Gibbons was returned as club P.R.O.

Chairman, Luke Kehoe, looked back on a very successful year for S.B.R., with success at county and provincial level, most importantly the club recently defending its County Wexford Senior cross-country crown. The club had also won the County Wexford Senior road race title in the Spring.

Luke thanked everyone who assisted the club in any way during the past year, from the Murphy family and the Carton family for the use of their lands for training and the hosting of races to the boxing club for the use of its premises for the A.G.M.

Many thanks also to the sponsors who helped to make the club's flagship race, the Mick Murphy Memorial road race, such a success in September. Outgoing Secretary, Pat O'neill, and outgoing Treasurer, Brendan Kehoe, also deserve praise, with the Chairman thanking newly-appointed Secretary, Louise Kehoe, for all her work with the Mick Murphy Memorial and many other jobs including acquiring new club gear and clothing. The Chairman also passed a vote of sympathy to members of the club who had lost loved ones during the year.

Sliabh Buidhe Rovers A.C. are staging a Winter series of road races in Ferns, beginning this Thursday (January 19) at 7.30 p.m. The races will take place around the 'V' in Ferns village and will comprise a five-lap race for the men (3.7 miles) and a three-lap race for the ladies (an extended two miles). Runners of all abilities and age groups will be catered for and entry is free.

The series will be ideal for beginners preparing for races such as the Enniscorthy 10k or Wexford half-marathon. The races will take place each Thursday evening for the next two months and runners will meet up in the square outside Ferns castle.

Anyone interested in joining the club or taking up running to increase fitness should come along to try out club athletics in a friendly atmosphere. More information from Luke Kehoe on 0873222914 or Sliabh Buidhe Rovers can be found on Facebook.

Congratulations to the four members from Sliabh Buidhe Rovers that were part of the Wexford team which won bronze medals in the inter-county competition at last Sunday's Leinster Senior cross-country championships in Kilmacow, Co. Kilkenny. Tom Hogan had a great run, coming through the field strongly over the five and a half lap course, eventually filling ninth position.

Tommy Mcelwaine also produced a strong finish, placing 24th, while Paul Gibbons finished 27th. David Leonard confirmed his improvement over the past year by bagging his first medal for Wexford with a 49th-place finish.

The four S.B.R. lads, along with David Barron (Slaney Olympic) who was 34th and Ger Maloney (St. Paul's) who was 36th, formed the Wexford team which took third behind Dublin and Kilkenny. Eugene Doherty battled well but was out of luck, finishing in 52nd place. The S.B.R. scoring four placed seventh in the inter-club competition behind winners Raheny Shamrocks, but were actually, in terms of points, not too far off third-placed Donore Harriers.

Earlier in the afternoon, Sliabh Buidhe Rovers also fielded a team in the Leinster championship Under-14 relays and the Juveniles performed very well, but were out of luck in the end. After a strong first leg from Ivan Meegan (who passed the baton in second place), Jordan Ryan, Jamie Doyle and John Hogan all ran well over their 500m legs but the S.B.R. boys were gradually run out of the placings. It was a very encouraging performance for the future, however, and will only serve the youngsters well in races to come.

COURTOWN HIBS F.C.

Under-9, Courtown Hibs 0, Gorey Celtic 6; Under-10, Gorey Celtic 0, Courtown Hibs 7; Under-12, Courtown Hibs 0, Seaview United 0 (Seaview won 8-7 on penalties); Under-14, Courtown Hibs 0, Moyne Rangers 5; Under-16, St. Leonards 0, Courtown Hibs 3.

Men's A, Adamstown 1, Courtown Hibs 3; Men's B, Adamstown 3, Courtown Hibs 6; Ladies, Seaview United 7, Courtown Hibs 0; Under-12 girls, Seaview United 5, Courtown Hibs 0.

NEWBAWN DARTS

Flash is back with a bang. The Newbawn Darts Club returned last week and the Christmas break certainly didn't take any quality out of the players' performances.

Mick 'Flash' Dwyer won his first ranking tournament but this could be a sign of things to come as he tries to stamp his authority on the league. P.J. Byrne had his chances to beat him though as the league winner put up a great fight in the final.

The beaten semi-finalists were the newly-improved Denis Duggan and Seamus Murphy. In the ladies it was normal service resumed as yet again Mena Byrne and Caroline Bradley met in the final, with Mena winning this time.

The club will be held at the same time and place tomorrow. For any further information contact David (0879638519).