Enniscorthy’s men’s second XI continued their excellent form from Wednesday into their season-ending encounter with St James’ Gate on Sunday. Promotion rivals Portrane could only manage a draw against Naas, leaving a simple equation for captain Billy James and his men: win and promotion was guaranteed, barring an avalanche of goals by Portrane in their final match.

At a wet Astro Active Centre it was the home side which held the whip hand from the start, Jason Rothwell forcing a save from the visiting goalkeeper after just three minutes. Enniscorthy kept knocking on the door, and a devastating two goals in two minutes ten minutes later proved cruciual in breaking the visitor’s resolve.

Roy Chapman continued his excellent form from Wednesday, scoring a hat trick

On thirteen minutes Enniscorthy won their first penalty corner of the match with Roy Chapman opening the scoring in front of a sizeable home support. Pushed in by Clive Rothwell, Chapman received the ball before switching to Clive’s brother Jason, who passed the ball back to Chapman, who swept the ball into the net.

Enniscorthy doubled their lead a minute later when good running by Cian Hogan found Chapman, and his reverse-stick shot found the back of the net.

Jason Rothwell was also on the scoresheet for Enniscorthy on Sunday

Chapman claimed his hattrick just before the half hour mark, firing straight in from yet another home penalty corner. ‘Gate struck back on the verge of half time, former Enniscorthy player Cathal Ó Suilleabháin finding a way past Glen Rothwell in the Enniscorthy goal.

That was as good as it got for the visitors though, with Jason Rothwell, Corey Cooke and Clive Rothwell all striking in the second half for an unassailable 6-1 lead, and to put Enniscorthy firmly into the driving seat for Division 6 hockey next season.

Squad: Glen Rothwell, David Mulligan, Robin James, Billy James, Clive Rothwell, Niall Maguire, Cian Hogan, Daithí Medcalf, Roy Chapman, Robbie Walshe, Eamon Sweeney, Shay O’Leary, Graeme Chapman, Jack Doran, Jason Rothwell, Corey Cooke.