Senior Soccer Champions

Brave Bokerboys Battle for Brilliant win

On Friday 16^th of January Wexford CBS faced Presentation College Bray in the decider of the Senior Wicklow/Wexford schools league on a sunny day in Arklow. Forced into a change in the absence of Ryan Byrne at centre back the CBS knew they were in for a battle. The first half was a typically cagey affair between two teams of top quality. The football on display was a joy to behold. Darragh Rossiter almost gave the CBS an early lead as he hit a curling effort just over the bar from a freekick just outside the box. There was very little difference between the two teams and for the first half the ball did not often leave the centre of the field as both defences were on top, Lar Stoutt was leading by example in the heart of the Wexford defence alongside Alex Bergin who was dominant in the air. Eoin MacDonald gained control of the ball in the middle of the field and took on and beat 3 Bray defenders before squaring a cross to Shane McGrath his effort was well blocked by a Bray defender and the ball went out for a corner. Mikey Lawlor whipped in a cross but unfortunately couldn’t find a CBS player Pres Bray broke quickly playing a ball towards their left winger, who exploded into life turning Lee Busher and bursting down the line leaving CBS defenders in his wake before firing an effort goal-wards only to see it saved by the outstanding Adam Dempsey to keep the sides level. The remainder of the first half offered no goals but a display to be proud of from two teams giving their all in a fierce match, tackles and blocks being thrown in all over the field and chances hard to come by, Jessie Farrell was at the heart of everything good for the CBS as he dropped deep from his forward position and looked to create chances and played a delightful ball into the path of Shane McGrath who unfortunately saw his effort well blocked. Half time and no goals to show for either side but 2 yellow cards for Bray and one for Wexford.

In the second half a Pres Bray began to really get on top in the game pressing high up and hard on the CBS who had to defend resolutely to keep their opponents at bay with Darragh Rossiter in particular, giving an outstanding display in defence. Presentation Bray took the lead ten minutes into the second half forcing home a scrappy goal from close range after Adam Dempsey had made a great save, this was soon followed up by an effort from the edge of the box which rebounded off the bar, Wexford were living dangerously and were fortunate to only be down by one goal. The CBS had to make a change and indeed they did now operating in a 3-5-2 formation with the energetic Darragh Rossiter and inventive Alex Bergin joining the midfield and Gary Cullen moving to centre half. CBS were now in the driving seat throwing all they had forward in a remarkable final, Mikey Lawlor forced the Bray keeper into a fine save with an effort from the right wing after good play from Jessie Farrell and Eoin MacDonald played him into space. Farrell himself soon saw an effort hit the side netting. CBS were pushing but running out of time Dylan Dixon did manage to find the net with 15 minutes to go, however saw his effort ruled out for a marginal offside decision. With 12 minutes remaining the CBS pressure paid off Jessie Farrell and Eoin MacDonald combined well with a neat one two MacDonald rounded one more defender before placing a curled effort towards the far corner of the net, Pres Bray’s keeper again produced a save but Dylan Dixon was in the right place as he instinctively ghosted in behind the defence to tap home the rebound 1-1 and the initiative firmly now in the hands of the Bokerboys. However to their credit Pres Bray responded well and dug deep as the game now ebbed and flowed from end to end with either team likely to win, cruelly for Pres Bray they surely thought they had done enough with just 5 minutes to go as they had a goal ruled out for offside after a goalmouth scramble, one minute later their centre forward was played in on goal but Gary Cullen emerged from nowhere to make an incredible sliding tackle winning the ball and starting another Wexford attack as he played it to Lee Busher at right back. The CBS drove at their opponents again and some excellent play from substitute Emmet Ryan down the right hand side found Farrell with a ball to feet, Jessie played an attempted one two and managed to get on the end of the ball again inside the box and made no mistake as he prodded home to give the CBS a lead with only moments remaining. The CBS soaked up any remaining pressure to see out the victory, a fantastic victory for the Bokerboys after a performance to be proud of, their first at senior level since 2011, they will now face Marian College, Ballsbridge Dublin in the ¼ final of the Leinster Champions league. The CBS were worthy winners after an excellent contest but in truth either team would have been, best on the day for the Bokerboys in an incredible team performance in which they displayed real heart and determination were: Lar Stoutt, Darragh Rossiter, match winner Jessie Farrell and keeper Adam Dempsey. This will hopefully be one of many titles won in the school this year as both the under 15 and 17 sides have qualified for the final of their leagues also with the under 15s due to play Arklow CBS in Wexford Youths grounds on Wednesday 28/1/2015 and the 17s facing St.Brendan’s Bray the following week in Arklow.

Wexford CBS: Adam Dempsey (Wexford Albion),Lee Busher (Wexford Youths), Lar Stoutt (North End), Alex Bergin (Wexford Bohs), Darragh Rossiter (Forth Celtic), Mikey Lawlor (North End),  Eoin MacDonald (Wexford Youths), John Hamilton (Forth Celtic), Cian Doyle (Wexford Celtic)  Jessie Farrell (North End), Shane McGrath (Wexford Bohs) Subs: Dylan Dixon (Blackwater) for McGrath,  Gary Cullen (North End) for Hamilton, Emmett Ryan (North End) for Lawler, Emmet Sinnott (North Ebd) for Bergin, also: Dylan Bolger (North End), Shaun Donoghue, Liam Rockett (Curracloe Utd.), Extended Panel; Aaron Goodison(Wexford Bohs), Tony Crosbie (North End), Rob Donnelly (Blackwater), Padraic Rossiter (Forth Celtic), Ryan Byrne (Wexford Bohs), Dave Tormey