Wexford Lose out to Waterford in All Ireland 40 by 20 Team of 4 U16/17 Final

A great day’s handball in Dungarvan today ended with Waterford just edging out Wexford to take the All Ireland U16/17 Team of 4 All Ireland Title. It was tough on our lads who gave it everything. They first had to come through an epic semi-final against Galway which literally went down to the wire. Dean O’Neill and Jack Murphy took an early lead in their first game but lost it 15-9. They came back really well in the second game to take it on the same score, leaving the match all square on aces won. Joe Devereux and Callum Smithies were next into action and they took the first game 15-14 to take a one point lead into the second game. This game had everything and Galway had serves to take the game 15-13 and win the match, but Wexford had other ideas and they turned the tables to take the game 15-14 to win a gruelling match.

Waterford had an easy win in their semi final against Down and that stood to them in the final. Dean and Jack lost the first game 15-12, and they just could not get going in the second and lost that 15-1. That left it an uphill battle for Joe and Callum, but they gave it everything and when they won their first game 15-7, the dream of an All-Ireland Final win was still alive, but unfortunately their tougher semi final began to tell and Waterford took the second game and the title.

It was a great day’s handball and our lads deserve great credit for the way they represented Wexford in both matches. Their parents and mentors should be very proud of them.