Double for Wexford in Leinster Inter-County Championships

It was 2 from 3 for Wexford at the Leinster Inter-County Finals in Dublin, with provincial success for the counties class 2 and class 3 squads, but disappointment for the class 5 side.

The class 2 final featured an emerging Louth side and a Wexford team seeking to regain a title they last won in 2008.  Louth were the slight pre-match favourites having narrowly defeated Wexford in the qualifying group in Roundwood earlier in the season.  The wee county however were missing under-age star Liam O’Leary and the loss of the talented youngster swung the balance of power in favour of Wexford.   Aisling Chapman reversed the Roundwood result to overcome Aisling Coyne in straight sets and when Alan Mackay defeated Roger Smith Wexford were on their way to retaining their title.  Louth briefly fought back to take the ladies doubles, but victories for Alan & Vincent Mackay over Conor Doyle & John McFadden and Brideen Lynch & Vincent Mackay in the opening mixed doubles was enough for Wexford to secure title on a 4-1 score line.  Wexford Squad:  Aisling Chapman, Sandra Dunne, Brideen Lynch, Clodagh Kent, Mairead McDaid, Alan Mackay, Vincent Mackay, Sean Sexton and Frankie Morrissey.  Managers:  Edward Cousins & Colm Byrne

Wexford also overcame Louth in the class 3 semi-final to set an intriguing encounter against old rivals Meath.  Like Louth in Class 2 Meath had also defeated Wexford during the qualifying group games in Carlow.   There was little to choose between the sides on that occasion and so it proved once again.  The match was tied at one game apiece after the opening singles with Neil O’Flatterty defeating Tomas Power in 3 sets, but Aisling Chapman continued her good form with a straight sets victory over Sarah Morgan.   The sides could still not be separated after the doubles with Meath securing victory in the men’s doubles, bt Wexford coming out on top in the ladies.  Meath again edged ahead with victory in the opening mixed doubles, Wexford's Tomas Power & Tara Kehoe had the sides level once again when they defeated Willie Kelly & Aine Swan.   The outcome now rested on the final mixed doubles game and the result went the way of Wexford with Chris McMackin & Clodagh Kent overcoming John Cassidy & Sarah Morgan to give Wexford a narrow 4-3 victory.  Team Managers:  Olive Waters, Frankie Morrissey & Pat Redican.

Not such good news for the Wexford Class 5 team who were making a rare semi-final appearance.  They faced title favourites Louth in their semi-final, but quickly found themselves 3-1 in arrears with Ryan Butler the only Wexford success in the opening men’s singles where the St. Martin’s player had a fine 21/9, 21/14 victory against Marty McGoldrick.  Wexford now needed to win all three mixed doubles games and made a brave effort to pull the game out of the fire.  Paudie Foran & Deirdre O’Connor won the 2nd mixed doubles game in three exciting sets 21/18, 19/21, 21/19. Unfortunately for Wexford Tony Sinnott & Helen Butler lost an equally exciting 1st mixed 21/19, 19/21, 18/21 to give Louth an un-assayable 4-2 lead with one game remaining:  Team Panel: Imelda Kehoe, Deirdre O’Connor, Carol Murphy, Ryan Buler, Tony Sinnott, Paudie Foran and Gary O’Neill.  Management team of Helen Butler, Ross McNiven & Eddie Kent.