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Last Updated 01/08/06

Rank outsiders New Ross put up a fine struggle, before succumbing to title favourites Taghmon in the final of the Wexford division one knockout cup final held in Ramsgrange Community School.  Very few people gave the New Ross side much of a chance against the all conquering Wexford district side in Wednesday nights final and even less hope when they were forced to play without team captain Ralph Stone and under-age star Laura Lynch.  Taghmon took an early lead when they won both the opening doubles to give them a 4-0 lead.  Siobhan and Deirdre Kehoe had an impressive 15/7, 15/4 victory in the ladies doubles over Rosemary Burke and Brideen Lynch.  The men’s opening game was closer than expected, but the Taghmon pairing of Edward Cousins and Gavin Smith eventually saw off the challenge of Alan Carton and Pat Lynch 15/9, 15/11.  Elaine Dunne and Gillian Murphy stretched the Taghmon advantage to 6-0 when they just about held off a determined challenge from Ellen O’Neill and Celine Hayes to win 17/15, 15/12.  New Ross picked up their 1^st points of the night when Colm Byrne and sub Neill Barrett won the 2^nd men’s doubles in straight sets against Stewart O’Toole and J.J. Winters 17/15, 15/12 to leave the score at 6-2 in favour of Taghmon.  A rare mixed doubles defeat for Edward Cousins and Deirdre Kehoe by Colm Byrne and Ellen O’Neill who won 11/15 15/12, 15/11 had New Ross within two points of the champions, and the barrowsiders were right back in the match when Rosemary Burke and Alan Carton defeated Gavin Smith and Siobhan Kehoe 17/15, 15/10 to leave the score 7-6 in favour of Taghmon.  The momentum was now with New Ross, but the slide was halted in very emphatic terms when Stewart O’Toole and Gillian Murphy continued their recent impressive performances to overcome Brideen and Pat Lynch in impressive fashion 15/0, 15/12 to clinch yet another team title for Taghmon.

Kilkenny side Tullahought won their 1^st ever Wexford Cup title when overcame a strong Galbally team in the final of the division five knockout cup.  Tullahought started in confident fashion and were 4-1 ahead after the opening two men’s doubles games.  Dean Madden and Joe Cuddity taking the opening game 15/9, 15/8 against Dan Rossiter and Wayne Dunne.  Galbally briefly hit back when Ronan Murphy and Pat Dunne won the opening set in the 2^nd men’s doubles against Colin Murphy and Eoin Ryan, but were unable to maintain the momentum and eventually lost 15/7, 13/15, 15/3.  Just as in their Leinster semi-final clash Galbally then began a fight back and the sides were level at 5-5 after the completion of the ladies doubles.  Catriona Walsh and Olynna Dunne were very impressive 15/12, 15/5 winners over Wendy Carey and Monica Sheehan in the top pairing.  The 2^nd ladies was a close and exciting encounter which the Wexford pairing of Betty Kelly and Deirdre Barron just shaded 17/16, 6/15, 15/11 against Pearl McDonald and Dianne Kelly.  Unfortunately for Galbally it was Tullahought who won both the opening mixed doubles games.  Monica Sheehan and Joe Cuddity had a tough opening set against Catriona Walsh and Wayne Dunne, but eventually won 15/13, 15/9.  The Kilkenny side had a 9-5 advantage after the 2^nd mixed with Wendy Carey and Dean Madden overcoming Olynna Dunne and Dan Rossiter 15/3, 15/2.  Pat Dunne and Deirdre Barron cut the deficit to two points when the took the 4^th mixed 15/7, 15/3 against Diane Kelly and Eoin Ryan, but Tullahought secured the title when Pearl McDonald and Colin Murphy won the opening set in the 3^rd mixed 15/3 against Ronan Murphy and Betty Kelly.

It was much easier for Taghmon in the division six Knockout cup final when they brushed aside the challenge of a disappointing Galbally side to win comfortably 9-1.  Such was the dominance of the Taghmon team that the title was secured without the need to complete the final three mixed doubles games.   Taghmon team: Marie Kelly, Eimer Dunne, Tina Bridges, Mary Doyle, Alan Nolan, Matthew Doyle, David Bridges and Pat Redican.  Galbally: Niamh Dunne, Ellen Whelan, Sinead O’Leary, Lisa Conway, Ger Cullen, Vincent Brown, Eddie Galavan and martin Maher.