The venue moved to Hillcrest, Galbally, Co. Limerick and such were the entries that the usual one-day fixture had to be extended to two days, to cater for the 700 competitors.
A big Wexford Pony Club contingent travelled down over the two days, with very early morning starts required.
The club was represented by Ava Donovan, Eva Kent, Sarah Finn, Hannah Hennessy-Murphy, Deirbhile O’Dwyer, Kayla Barron, Blake Kavanagh, Mia Kent, Emily English, Brooke Sutton-McGarry, Kate Kavanagh, Emma Hickey, Tom Hickey, Michael Bowe, Kenzie Kavanagh, Abbie Murphy, Kitty D’Alton, Luca Kinsella, Cora Finn, Heather Costello and Molly Hennessy-Murphy.
Unfortunately, Laura Neville was unable to travel due to a pony injury.
Day one saw the Intro Intermediate and Junior members taking on the track.
Ava Donovan and Eva Kent set the tone for the weekend by bagging the first rosettes for the club, placing sixth in the Intro Intermediate pairs.
This was quickly followed up by a super performance by the Junior (Under-15) team of three of Hannah Hennessy-Murphy, Deirbhile O’Dwyer and Sarah Finn.
They were clear and the fastest team home in the inaugural team of three competition at this level, to become the first names on the Tom O’Donnell Memorial Cup.
Next was the turn of the Junior pairs (Under-15), with several pairs going through the start box. Tom Hickey and Blake Kavanagh were a super third.
Day one finished with a hotly-contested Junior singles competition, with 150 competitors going through the start box. Tom Hickey placed another incredible third, to get his second top three finish of the day.
Tom’s pairs partner, Blake, took a tumble in the singles, and thankfully is recovering well.
That finished day one of competition and, as has become tradition, any cup travelling back to Wexford must be officially filled en route home.
A stop off in Supermac’s was required, and the cup was filled with slushie!
Day two started with the Under-12 competitors and first up were the pairs. A super performance by Luca Kinsella and Kitty D’Alton saw another All-Ireland title for the club and another cup to be filled on the way home – an amazing achievement.
The final competition class of the day saw the Seniors take to the course. For the past three years the club has won the Senior teams of three competition.
It was a close competition this year, with Cora Finn, Heather Costello and Molly Hennessy-Murphy equal on faults, but pipped by three seconds at the finish line. They finished a very creditable second.
Overall, it was a very successful trip to Limerick for our club members with plenty of silverware to polish over the winter months.
A big thank you to all the parents and all the workers who made the weekend happen, in particular Ivan Hatton and our own club official Jacinta Reville.