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Tipperary are Champions (2009)

There was a break from tradition in the class 2 championship as it was played on a round robin system on Sunday with Wexford facing Muster opposition in Kerry, Cork and Tipperary.  This format while energy sapping on players was none the less of merit as all members of teams got an opportunity to have a meaningful involvement in the finals.  Wexford began their campaign in the best possible fashion with a well deserved 7-2 victory over Kerry.  Indeed the result could have been even better for the Slaneysiders as Vincent Mackay lost his singles encounter to Tom Burke in three sets and Philip Walsh and Laura Lynch also lost their 1st mixed game in three. 

It was therefore a confident Wexford side who faced old rivals Cork in the 2nd game.  The rebel county had lost 6-3 against Tipperary and Wexford were hoping to get the better of their boggy team to leave the final game against Tipperary as the championship decider.  Once again however Cork seems to have a hoodoo sign over Wexford and they turned the form book right around when inflicting a 7-2 defeat on the model county.  Wexford’s only success came in the ladies singles where Laura Butler maintained her 100% record over the weekend with a hard fought 21/19, 21/13 victory over Jessica Gann.  Wexford only other point came in the 2nd mixed doubles with team captain Colm Byrne and Brideen Lynch in fine form when defeating David Thompson and Trish Doyle 21/12, 21/14. 

To rub salt into the wounds Kerry also threw the form out the window as they overcame Tipperary 5/4.  Kerry’s victory however kept Wexford’s slim hopes of retaining their title alive wit one game remaining.  Going into the final series of games Tipperary and Cork led the group on 10 points, Wexford were a point behind on 9, with Kerry in last place on 7 points despite their victory over Tipperary.

Wexford’s played Tipperary with local rivals Cork and Kerry facing each other in the other game.  The Kerry’s recovery continued as they overcame their neighbours 6-3 to leave Wexford and Tipperary chasing 14 points in order to take the title. 

The singles were shared with Laura Butler continuing to excel for Wexford, with the Davidstown player overcominh Kathleen Smith 21/6, 21/6.  Frankie Morrissey replaced the injured Vincent Mackay in the singles, but it was Tipperary’s Aidan Ryan who won this encounter in three sets 21/19, 19/21, 21/14.  Colm Byrne and Philip Walsh lost the opening men’s doubles 21/16, 21/11 to Michael O’Meara and William Power, but Wexford again drew level when Laura Butler and Laura Lynch defeated Catherine Redican and Claire Connors 21/19, 21/13.  From here on however it was all Tipperary with Colm Byrne and Brideen Lynch the sole victors for a disappointing Wexford side.  The Wexford mixed doubles pairing maintained their unbeaten record with an impressive 21/19, 21/11 victory over the highly rated partnership of Aidan Walsh and Eimer Holohan.   It was Tipperary however who prevailed in all other games as they clinched the championship on a 6-3 score line. 

Double for Wexford (2006)

To cap a fine weekend for the model county they also claimed the grade two title.  Prior to the event Wexford were considered favourites with the majority of their class one squad available to call on.  It started well for the Leinster side as they were in devastating form against Kerry in their opening match which they won 8-1. This result was to prove highly significant later in the day.  In the other group game Cork overcame Meath 5-4.

Round two was a clash between provincial rivals Wexford and Meath and Kerry taking on Cork.  Wexford continued where they had left off against Kerry and triumphed 6-3 over the Royal County.  Meanwhile Kerry had upped their game considerably and pushed Cork all the way before losing 5/4.

Going into the final series of games Wexford were well ahead in the group on 14 points, with Cork in 2nd place on 10 points.  This left Wexford in the happy position of needing just three points from the nine games to achieve the unique double.  An easy task it seemed, but Cork had other ideas.  The opening singles were shared, but then Cork won four games in a row to put real pressure on the Leinster side.  The slide was halted when Laura Lynch and Butler won the 2nd ladies doubles, but Cork continued to exert pressure until Wexford eventually secured the vital 3rd point when Elaine Dunne and Donal O’Keeffe won the 2nd mixed doubles to finally see off the Muster side challenge.  Meath finished in 3rd spot ahead of Kerry.