Rovers rule in Under-17 encounter
WEXFORD SANK to a disappointing five-goal defeat at the hands of runaway leaders Shamrock Rovers in their latest game before the break in the SSE Airtricity League Under-17 Southern Elite Division in Tallaght Stadium.
With Graham O’Reilly hobbling off during the first-half and Caellum Devlin-Travers suffering a head injury but carrying on, it appeared that this depleted Ferrycarrig unit seemed to just run out of luck in what was always likely to be their most difficult game of the session.
To say these injury concerns left their midfield short would be an understatement. Come full-time Ethan O’Neill was the only fully-fit midfielder Wexford had at their disposal and, while he was exceptional, it is difficult to compete with the best in these situations.
Take nothing away from the Hoops, they were impressive. They moved the ball better than any team Wexford have come across and went ahead early when Danila Bogdanov coolly finished past Seán Maher.
Wexford were at their best after the Rovers opener - they put the Dublin side under pressure and utilised the ball more effectively. Seán Smithers saw an effort saved before James Dowling volleyed a Travers-Devlin knock-on wide.
It was only when Travers-Devlin was forced to leave the pitch for treatment on a gash to his forehead that Shamrock Rovers dealt what was probably the killer blow.
Bogdanov’s shot was parried into the path of Jack Kelly for the easiest of finishes before half-time.
Wexford shuffled the pack as much as they could in the early stages of the second-half but could do little to stop Rovers’ dominance.
The two first-half goalscorers combined, with Bogdanov applying the finishing touches to net the third before the hour mark.
Kelly added a fourth before making way for the dangerous Emmanuel Odeniyi. He outmuscled Cillian McDonald before striding into the box and placing past Maher to put the icing on the cake for the Dublin side.
If Wexford are to take any positives into the mid-season break from this thumping, it must be the performance of ex-Rovers man, O’Neill. He was arguably the best player on the pitch for either side, with the majority of Wexford’s fight coming as a result of his aggression.
They enter the break in the fray, but with a lot of work to do if they are to claim a top four place and ensure a quarter-final spot.
Wexford F.C.: Seán Maher; Shane Gibson, Kyle Scallan (capt.), Cillian McDonald, Dylan Whelan, Seán O’Brien-Murphy; Caellum Travers-Devlin, Graham O’Reilly, Ethan O’Neill; James Dowling, Seán Smithers. Subs. - Brian Byrne for O’Reilly (36), Brody Murphy for Dowling (51), Robert Bulmer for O’Brien-Murphy (51), also Aaron Hall.
Shamrock Rovers: Gavin Bazunu; Martins Olakanye, Andreu Spain (capt.), Cian Kelly, Conor Behan, Luke Turner; Jordan Tallon, Thomas Hannon, James Clarke; Danila Bogdanov, Jack Kelly. Subs. - Shane Nealon for Bogdanov (60), Toby Owens for Hannon (64), Emmanuel Odeniyi for Kelly (76), also Shane O’Rourke, Alex Dunne, Dean McMenamy, Thomas Oluwa.
Referee: Brian Cleary (Dublin).