ENNISCORTHY HOCKEY: Enniscorthy 3, Gorey 2: Enniscorthy faced tough competition in the first round of the South East Cup on Sunday last, having lost to Gorey twice during the league.

Gorey started well and had the upper hand on Enniscorthy in the opening quarter, scoring the first goal with a powerful strike just inside the circle. Enniscorthy looked defeated until some inspirational play by sweeper Paula Chapman put them in attacking mode, resulting in Denise Nolan picking up a Lisa Frayne cross to draw the sides level.

Enniscorthy kept the pressure on and Leah Chapman set up the next goal by playing the ball to Carrie Clifford who swept it into the circle for Rita Martin to make it 2-1 at half-time.

The tempo of the game lifted in the second-half with both sides more evenly-matched. Enniscorthy were first to get on the scoreboard when Denise Nolan got her second goal, playing in close to the goalie's pads.

Gorey didn't die, pulling themselves back to 3-2 with ten minutes to go. Enniscorthy were under severe pressure for much of the remainder of the game but managed to stay composed, finishing in attacking mode and in doing so advancing to the next round of the cup.

GOREY CELTIC F.C.

The Senior teams had no games last weekend. The club and all connected would like to send our condolences and sympathy to Shay Redmond and his family on the death of his mother, Sadie. Our prayers and thoughts are with them through this sad time.

Our Under-14 'B' team entertained Oylgate in a Division 4 league game and what a good game it was, with both teams competing for every ball. Celtic scored the first goal through Andrew Kinsella, finishing off a great move with a powerful strike, and then Oylegate pulled one back to level the score.

Eoghan Murphy doubled the lead with a brilliant individual goal, starting in his own half and beating four or five Oylegate players before finding the back of the net. Halftime: 2-1.

Celtic started the half off well but tired, and Oylegate got the upper hand with a couple of quick goals from poor marking. The lads kept battling and were unlucky not to get more from this game.

Seán Whelan had a great game in goal and, along with Eoghan Murphy, they were our best players. Full-time: 2-5.

Our Under-10 girls travelled to Enniscorthy to play Moyne Rangers in the Division 2b league game. Our girls got off to a poor start and conceded a soft goal in the first couple of minutes.

The girls got going and found their feet and soon after got a great goal from Debhlinn Yeates. Moyne got another goal back with a lovely chip over our 'keeper, Caragh, just before half-time. Half-time: 2-1.

The Celtic girls played a lot better in the second-half and were camped in the Moyne half but couldn't finish. Moyne added another one to their total, and then Amy Wilson made the most of her chance, finishing off a good move with a good strike. She found the back of the net again soon after to double her tally.

Moyne got another one on the counterattack and the girls kept putting the pressure on and got their reward with a good finish by Debhlinn Yeates. Moyne did finish the stronger and got a couple of goals to win.

Orla Crowe, Debhlinn Yeates and Amy Wilson played very well and worked hard. In goal, Caragh Clarke had a very fine game despite the scoreline. Well done to all the girls. Full-time: 4-6.

We had a couple of fundraisers for the Blackpool trip last weekend, a children's disco and a fun run that were well supported and will ease the financial burden on parents. John, Richie and Karl would like to thank everyone who helped to make the events go smoothly.

GOREY RANGERS F.C.

Gorey Rangers Under-14s overcame a well-organised Ferns team on a scoreline of 4-2 at the Showgrounds on Saturday last to stay on course for the league title. They remain unbeaten and on full points but have a number of tough away games to play.

They took the lead on 15 minutes when an excellent move involving Adam Coates and Niall Hughes found Ciarán Sheridan down the left. His pinpoint cross was volleyed to the net from outside the box by Seán Roche.

Five minutes into the second-half they found themselves 2-1 down when a lack of concentration at the back let Ferns in for two soft goals. Shortly after Roche made it 2-2 when scoring his second from 25 yards after Niall Hughes supplied the perfect pass.

Gorey struggled to break the deadlock for the next 15 minutes before a superb volley from midfielder John Fleming gave them a deserved lead. Seán Roche completed his hat-trick with the last kick of the game after being set up by Fleming.

A feature of the game was the performance of Under-12 centre-back Bobby O'Sullivan who slotted into the position with ease after Darragh Hobbs went off injured early in the game.

Gorey Rangers Under-12s comfortably progressed into the next round of the Wexford Cup with a 5-0 victory over a spirited St. Leonards side on Saturday last. It took 20 minutes before they opened the scoring when a pull back from Paul Carton found Dylan Kearon who curled the ball brilliantly into the far top corner.

The second came shortly afterwards when a long ball from the back was latched onto by Eric Quinn, who controlled it firsttime and stroked it under the visitors' goalkeeper.

Rangers continued to knock the ball around with ease in the second-half, and the third goal came after a move down the left saw the ball played back to Conor Gibson who struck it home from the edge of the area.

Gibson's second of the game came not long after he rounded off some good approach play with an opportunistic finish inside the area. The final goal came when the outstanding James Lynch tucked home a corner to finish off the scoring.

Rangers' All-Ireland exploits continue when they face Waterford Villa at home in the last 16 of the S.F.A.I. Cup on Saturday next.

GOREY BOXING

Gorey Boxing Club entered two boxers into the Leinster championships at the National Stadium at the weekend - David Kennedy in the boy 4 63 kg. category; and John Sheil in the novice category.

Sheil unfortunately got beaten in the semi-final. He went down to Pat Lavery from the Phillipstown Boxing Club in Dublin on a scoreline of 10-6.

Kennedy won his way through to the final where he came up against Aidan Wall from Navan Boxing Club. Kennedy was always in control, 4-0 up after the first round; 6-1 after the second; and 12-1 after the third. He now goes on to represent the club in the nationals back in the Stadium in a couple of months' time.

FERNS RUNNING

Ferns Running Club held its latest Fit4Life run on Wednesday evening last, with entrants completing four laps of the 'V'.

Results: Paul Gibbons, 16.17; Myles Gibbons, 16.35; Willie Rossiter, 16.44; Jim O'Malley, 17.55; Tommy McElwaine, 17.55; Denis Moynihan, 18.29; Aidan Doyle, 18.36; Pat O'Neill, 18.41; Paul Holmes, 18.57; David Leonard, 19.08; Brian O'Neill, 19.45; Andrew Foran, 20.27; Pat Kirwan, 21.20; Paddy Leacy, 22.01; Stephen Redmond, 24.53; Ryan Nolan, 24.53; Paul Mountain, 29.20.

The ladies covered three laps: Christine Doyle, 24.20; Louise Kehoe and Lisa Leacy, both 24.27.

The next fixture of this series will be held tonight (Wednesday, March 3) in Ferns at 7.30 p.m., with runners covering the 'short stump' circuit, a lap that begins at the edge of The Square and takes in the Stump Lane, the main Enniscorthy road and finishes back in The Square, which makes up a three-mile run. Further information from Luke Kehoe on 087-3222914.

SOUTH EAST ROAD CLUB

The club has been asked to participate in the Laurence Dallaglio cycleslam, which will arrive in Rosslare Harbour on Friday next at 2 p.m. approximately. This is a great honour for the club, particularly for the under-age members who will be meeting famous sports stars from the worlds of rugby and soccer, including former soccer players, Lee Dixon and Les Ferdinand, former Irish professional cyclist and current top sportswriter, Paul Kimmage, and former England rugby captain, Laurence Dallaglio, who are taking part in this gruelling 24-day cycle from Rome to Edinburgh.

The South East Road Club have agreed to accompany the cyclists into Arklow on the Friday afternoon where they will be staying in the Arklow Bay Hotel, and then to accompany them as they leave Arklow for Dublin on the following morning at 7 a.m. sharp.

The cyclists will have completed on their arrival in Arklow 2,500 kilometres of their 3,000-kilometre cycle. The purpose of the cycle is to visit all the Rugby Six Nations stadia whilst raising funds for Sports Relief and the Dallaglio Foundation. Further details will be available on the club's website during the week.

At a well-attended informal function in the Old Ship pub, Arklow, on Friday night last, the club bade farewell to veteran cyclist Tony Kew from Avoca who is retuning to Canada after 21 years in Ireland.

Tony, who is a lifelong cyclist, kept the flag flying for cycling during the years when it went into the doldrums in the locality.

Tony was the recipient of a glass bowl and a set of the club's latest cycling gear, which has come into stock recently. Tony was of terrific assistance in the setting up of the South East Road Club in 2004.

He is renowned for his interest in the welfare of members, particularly the under-age section.

He is held in the highest regard by all members and is one of nature's gentlemen and is a big loss to the club.

PITCH AND PUTT

Liam Sheridan has taken over as captain of St. Patrick's pitch and putt club in Enniscorthy, in succession to Ger Franklin. The handover occurred at the recent annual general meeting at the clubhouse in Pearse Road.

The drive-in will take place on Sunday, March 7, at 2 p.m., followed by the first competition of the new season.

The members have fingers crossed that the weather in 2010 will be considerably better than last year when the rain caused the cancellation of several competitions and the course was out of bounds throughout the winter months.

Membership fees have been pegged at ¤100 for adults, ¤70 for players in the active retired section, ¤65 for students and ¤50 for juveniles.

The officers and committee for 2010 are: President, Peter Carroll; Chairman, Aidan O'Brien; Vice-Chairman, Michael O'Neill; Secretary/Treasurer, Mervyn Cooney; P.R.O., Aidan Whelan; Captain, Liam Sheridan; Vice-Captain, Jim Foley; Juvenile officers: Martin O'Neill, Ger Doyle, Michael O'Neill; committee members: Billy Hudson, John Freeman, Alan Franklin, Ger Franklin.