U-19s end long win-less spell
Doyle brace sinks Galway
ONE HUNDRED and forty days after opening their SSE Airtricity Under-19 League Southern Elite Section season with a win against Limerick, Wexford tasted success again in Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday.
Thomas O’Connor’s side have mixed some poor form with bad luck in the last few weeks, but two Danny Doyle goals ensured that Wexford go into the last four games of the season with something to build on.
It was around this stage in the 2016 campaign that Wexford went on a strong run that took them within a penalty shoot-out of the Shield final, and there’s no reason to believe that such an upturn in form can’t start from this victory.
They have to look no further than their opponents on Sunday for inspiration. Galway had been languishing with just eight points from ten games but three wins in a row coming into this game propelled the westerners to mid-table.
Things tend to be so much easier when you get the first goal. Wexford worked the opener well, with Vinny Quinlan and Michael Gardiner involved in the buildup before Danny Doyle struck a left-footed shot from the edge of the area into the top corner of the Galway goal.
Wexford had other chances in an impressive half. The visiting goalkeeper made a solid stop from Doyle and he had to be at his very best to keep a brilliant effort from Martin O’Connor out of the net.
Captain O’Connor led by example for the hosts, and he was a colossus at the back. Vinny Quinlan, in an unusual left-back position for him, also had a superb game but both watched on the half-hour mark when Adam Rochford produced a vital clearance off the line to maintain the Wexford advantage.
The hosts had a string of chances to secure a big win in the second-half. Danny Doyle was denied in two one-on-ones, Dean George saw his shot tipped onto the crossbar, while Dylan Bradley and Ciarán Murphy also had efforts stopped.
A second goal was always going to be vital and the home side got it through Doyle.
This time Bradley was the provider with the through-ball, and Doyle bent his run to stay onside and calmly slotted to the net to wrap up the points.
Wexford probably didn’t need the week off after a win but that’s the way it falls.
They are back in action at home to UCD on Sunday, August 13, starting a run of three games in consecutive weekends.
Wexford: Adam Dempsey; Jack Gallagher, Martin O’Connor (capt.), Adam Rochford, Vincent Quinlan; Ciarán Murphy, Michael Gardiner, Dean George, Cian Doyle, Dylan Bradley; Danny Doyle. Subs. - Yaw Aboagye for C. Doyle (65), Jack Healy for Murphy (70), Robbie Kane for George (79), also Adam Doyle, Eoin Curran, Craig O’Reilly.