Wicklow overcome odds to win Provincial Towns Cup for first time

Wicklow 28 Enniscorthy 21

There were celebrations in Ashbourne yesterday as Wicklow were crowded Provincial Towns Cup champions for the first time in the 91-year history of the competition.

A sterling performance from outhalf Niall Earls powered Wicklow to the win over a fancied Enniscorthy side who only narrowly missed out on promotion to the All-Ireland league last weekend.

Earls landed a try, two conversion, two penalties and a drop goal over the 80 minutes, with his try late in the opening half helping his side to a 21-6 cushion at half time.

Pre-match favourites Enniscorthy were well and truly blitzed by Wicklow in the opening half.

John Jenkinson broke the deadlock as early as the second minute when he touched down after good lineout play. Wicklow had the bit between their teeth.

Wicklow were forcing mistakes while they also brought a greater intensity. They looked intent on not leaving this one behind them. Penalties were exchanged while Earls also landed a drop goal before he got in for his try on 38 minutes, which he also converted.

Ivan Poole did have the last say of the half when he nailed his second penalty, but it was the Wicklow men, who had the aid of the strong breeze, who went in at half time in command.

Turned on its head

The game was turned on its head when Enniscorthy got in for two tries in three minutes.

First Killian Lett touched down and then Ivan Jacob, and suddenly the lead was back to 21-18 after 53 minutes.

David Murphy was then yellow-carded for Enniscorthy and within minutes, Wicklow got in for the game-defining try.

Barry Hurley took the ball of the back of the lineout and was drove on and over the line. Earls landed the conversion and the lead went out to 28-18.

Poole did kick his third penalty to leave just a score in the game but despite pressure right up until the death, they couldn’t get through the Wicklow defence.

It was dramatic stuff at the death as Wicklow claimed their first Towns Cup title much to the enjoyment of their large, travelling support.

WICKLOW: S Duffy; J Langtry, K Hurrell, S Farrar, M Higgins; N Earls, D Higgins; T O'Donovan, E Killeen, S Byrne, J Jenkinson, F Walsh, A Doyle, L Gaffney, W Wojnar. Replacements: B Hurley, E Downes, S O'Brien, A Byrne , S Setien.

ENNISCORTHY: R Barbour; I Jacob, K Lett, H O'Neill, D O'Dwyer; I Poole, A Jacob; A Todisco, D Murphy, P Waters, J Bulmer, T Stamp, B Bolger, G Jacob, T Morrissey. Replacements: J Daly, P O'Mahony, E Lett, J Kelly and J Doyle.

Referee: Gary Conway.