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Wexford Relinquish Class 4 Crown (2009)

Defending champions Wexford relinquished their Class 4 All-Ireland title when they failed to qualify for the national finals by virtue of a single set from the qualifying group games held in the University of Limerick.  Forced to compete without the services of Ailish O’Hanlon, Frankie Morrissey and Sean Sexton who were upgraded as a result of last years triumph and also without Neil Barrett it was always a tall order for Wexford to repeat last years success.  Making their championships debuts in Limerick were under-age stars Ciara Dunne, Aoife Bennett, Thomas Power and Nicholas Murphy, while Christopher McMackin returned to the inter-county squad after a long absence.  They were joined by last years All Ireland winners Jimmy Sinnott, Sandra Dunne, Eimer Dunne and Tara Kehoe, plus Eddie Kent.

Wexford began with a 5-4 victory over Limerick.  Thomas Power was impressive in his opening debut game when he overcame Kevin O’Callaghan 21/14, 21/14, but Limerick recovered to take the ladies singles with Eimer Dunne losing out to Virgo Pesti 21/19, 21/19.  Wexford went two points ahead when Jimmy Sinnott and Chris McMackin and Sandra Dunne and Tara Kehoe won the opening doubles encounters.  Limerick fought back however to level proceeding when they won the 2nd set of doubles with Connor Williams and Denis Buckley defeating Thomas Power and Nicholas Murphy and Virge Pesti and Caroline Browne overcoming Eimer and Ciara Dunne in three sets.  Wexford ensured victory however when they won the opening two mixed doubles encounters.  Chris McMackin and Tara Kehoe defeated Ger FitzPatrick and Gillian Holmes 22/20, 13/21, 21/16 while Jimmy Sinnott and Sandra Dunne defeated Connor Williams and Denise Duggan 21/17, 21/17.  Limerick took the final game when Kevin  O’Callaghan and Caroline Brown overcame Nicholas Murphy and Ciara Dunne 21/19, 21/18 to leave the final score 5/4 in favour of Wexford. 

Things looked ominous for Wexford when Cork overcame Limerick 9-0 which gave them a 4 point advantage going into the group decider.  That unexpected Cork success meant they needed just one point to ensure qualification and this they quickly achieved in the opening singles when Paul Fay defeated Tomas Power in three sets 21/16, 14/21, 21/17.  Wexford’s only hope for qualification now rested on finishing as the best runner-up from the three qualifying groups so every point was still vital.  A strong Cork team continued to dominate and Aisling Chapman stretched the lee-siders lead when she overcame Wexford’s Aoife Bennett 21/11, 21/7 in the ladies singles.  Chris McMackin and Jimmy Sinnott got Wexford’s opening point when they won an exciting encounter 20/22, 21/15, 26/24 in the top men’s doubles game.  Wexford drew level when Sandra Dunne and Tara Kehoe continued their good form to defeat Aisling Chapman and Michelle Hayes 21/16, 21/18.  Sadly that was to be Wexford’s last point as Cork went on to take the remaining five games to run out 7-2 victors.  While the score-line indicates an easy Cork victory Wexford had chances to add to their points total and were somewhat unlucky in several encounters.  Eimer And Ciara Dunne lost the 2nd ladies 25/23, 22/20 while Cork won the 1st and 2nd mixed doubles games in three sets.  What was hearth-breaking for Wexford after these narrow defeats was that they eventually lost on out on qualification for the finals as best runner up by just one set. On a more positive note for the Wexford Management team of Michael Murphy, Mary Dinan and Nicholas Murphy (Sen) is that this is mainly a very young squad who should be much stronger next season.

 Wexford's Tara Kehoe in action in the ladies singles