Under-19 crew collect a point away to Cabinteely

WEXFORD YOUTHS picked up only their second point in eight games in the SSE Airtricity Under-19 League Southern Elite Section away to Cabinteely on Sunday.

Billy Molloy’s side have been putting in some solid performances of late with little to show for them in the way of points, and they will probably have gone away from this game a little disappointed too.

The fact that Wexford dominated this match for 60 minutes gives plenty of encouragement with the shield competition coming soon. However, the fact that they couldn’t find the goal that their play deserved will still be a source of frustration.

Stabilised by the superb defensive partnership of Owen McCormack and Conor Sutton, Wexford set about dominating the first-half. Eoin Donnelly was exceptional in midfield and was at the centre of most of the visitors’ good moments.

They had their chances in the period, with Dean George denied by the Cabinteely goalkeeper. On top of that, some superb last-ditch defending by the hosts also denied the Youths the clearcut chances they craved.

However, those chances started to materialise after the break. Paul Brennan had an unbelievable op- portunity when a long ball fell between goalkeeper and defence but the Youths midfielder somehow poked wide with the goal gaping.

Good work by Ciarán Murphy on the wing gave Vincent Quinlan a chance but the ‘keeper again made a good stop.

Brennan had another opportunity when he controlled and missed with a volley but Youths couldn’t find the goal.

The longer the game went on, the more the hosts looked threatening. Corey Chambers was solid as a rock between the sticks for Youths but still, he was far from overworked.

Wexford had their chances late on too. Quinlan had a couple of long-range shots, and one flew over the crossbar, while another forced the home goalkeeper into a save, but in the end Youths had to settle for the point.

Cobh Ramblers away is the next fixtures for Youths on August 28, with games at home to UCD and away to Limerick rounding out the league stage. Wexford will then move into the shield competition, bidding to take some silverware and end the season on a high.

Wexford Youths: Corey Chambers; Paul Carton, Owen McCormack, Conor Sutton, Seán Duffy; Vincent Quinlan, Eoin Donnelly; Paul Brennan, Dean George, Ciarán Murphy; Eoin Porter. Subs. - Martin O’Connor for Brennan, Dylan Bradley for Donnelly, Adam Rochford for Murphy, also Cian Lee, Neil Murphy, Michael Molloy.