Shamrock Rovers rule in U-15 play-off

A GREAT sporting rivalry was born in Division 1A of the Wexford Schoolboys Under-15 competition this season.

Enniscorthy’s Shamrock Rovers and Gorey Celtic went through the season undefeated, winning all their games, while drawing both of their face-to-face meetings.

A nail-biting 1-1 draw in Gorey in March was followed up by an equally pulsating 2-2 encounter in Enniscorthy, in May.

Both teams entered last Saturday’s play-off in Ferns confident of bringing home the title.

Rovers were quicker out of the traps, with their number 10, Seán Hyland, latching on to a pair of through balls and putting the Shannonsiders 2-0 up.

Gorey settled, rallied and pressure was mounting from their centre-midfielders as half-time approached. They deservedly reduced the deficit as Cian O’Mahony got on the end of a free-kick to leave it 2-1 to Rovers at the break.

Rovers reorganised their midfield at half-time, while Gorey continued to throw everything they had at them in an end-to-end second period.

There were to be no further goals, however, and in the end it was a fortified performance by a finely balanced Rovers side that kept a gallant Gorey team at bay.

These two teams rightfully took the top two spots in their division, and it was Shamrock Rovers’ day to celebrate on this occasion.

A bright future lies in store for two very talented sides.