U-15 Cup exit on penos
WEXFORD F.C. 1, CARLOW/KILKENNY 1 (Carlow/ Kilkenny won 5-4 on penalties): Wexford’s hopes of a strong cup run ended with defeat to Carlow/Kilkenny in the opening round of the National Under-15 Cup in Ferrycarrig Park on Wednesday.
The hosts had been going well in the lead up to the game but are finding their neighbours a little more work than most others, having drawn at home to Carlow/Kilkenny earlier in league too.
The visitors took the lead when a misjudgment in the Wexford defence allowed Oscar Brennan to sneak in in the sixth minute.
Goalkeeper Aaron Phelan did well to repel his strike but Eoghan Byrne followed up to fire in the rebound.
Wexford started to find their feet as the half wore on and Seán Adam Gourlay tested Ben Goodwin with a vicious long-range effort.
Both sides had half chances to nab a goal before the break but neither found the net, leaving the minimum in it at the interval.
A quality Dylan McEvoy cross to the back post was controlled and fired narrowly over the crossbar by Evan Farrell after the re-start.
Phelan did well to repel a Darren Lawlor cross from the left and Cian Byrne flashed wide from distance as Carlow/Kilkenny gave as good as they got.
Then with four minutes left Wexford equalised. McEvoy’s initial effort was blocked, and the ball found its way to Evan Connolly.
He wickedly sliced his shot into the run of Evan Farrell and the former Forth Celtic player made no mistake with the finish.
Harry Curtis fired off target in extra-time and Farrell flicked a McEvoy cross narrowly wide, but there was no further goal and the game went to the shoot-out.
Carlow/Kilkenny took five fantastic penalties, meaning Wexford’s only miss, from Liam Doyle, was the difference in the end.
Wexford F.C.: Aaron Phelan; Darragh McGuire, Seán Redmond, Seán Adam Gourlay, Dylan Casey, Liam Doyle, Patryk Remiasz, Micheál Quinlan, Evan Farrell, Rian Fitzpatrick, Evan Connolly. Subs. (rolling) - Conor Carew, Harry Curtis, Alex Kelliher, Patrick Redmond, Eoin Murphy, Luke O’Rourke, Dylan McEvoy, Luke Murphy.
Carlow/Kilkenny: Ben Goodwin, Jake Haughney, Fionn McCaffrey, Adam McCarron, Eamon Lalor, Oscar Brennan, Rory O’Dowd, Darren Lawlor, Jack O’Neill, Niall Rowe, Eoghan Byrne. Subs. (rolling) - Mark McCarthy, Cian Byrne, Zachary Bay Hammond, Timmy Clifford, Daryl Mtumba, David Olubowale.
Referee: Michelle O’Neill (Wexford).