Cork end unbeaten run
WEXFORD’S five-match SSE Airtricity Under-15 League Group 3 unbeaten run was halted by classy Cork City in Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday.
Mark Doran’s side have been playing some superb football of late but the Leesiders showed exactly why they sit top of the table, unbeaten in their ten games to date. They knocked the ball around with ease on the burnt surface, probed for holes and created a bundle of chances.
After the success of the midweek win against Carlow/Kilkenny, the hosts went with a flat back four again. However, they got outnumbered and outplayed in the middle third as Cork flooded that area with classy footballers.
Yet maybe it could have all been different had anyone been able to get a header on Darragh McGuire’s fantastic free-kick into the edge of the six-yard box in the opening minutes.
Robert Walsh flashed over from close range at the other end before Dylan Casey’s thump from the edge of his own penalty area had Cork ‘keeper Darragh Burke back-pedalling for a few seconds.
The best chance of the first quarter also fell to Wexford. Tyler Dunphy did all the work himself, powering past two defenders on the inside left to close in on Burke, but the City stopper did well to get down and make a fine save.
Cork gave warning of what was to follow when Elysas Eshaji fired over from close range in the 26th minute.
Moments later Ethan Giltinan’s ball over the top was controlled by Oran Crowe on his chest and flashed high past Aaron Phelan to open the scoring.
Wexford were still coming to terms with being behind when Robert Walsh’s shot was cleared off the line, but it pinged off the shins of Ramon Gaspar and trundled into the net. The second goal left Cork in control at the break.
Evan Farrell headed home Dunphy’s left wing cross three minutes into the second-half but the ball had already crossed the byline.
Cork went down the other end and won a penalty when Eshaji was fouled, and Walsh converted it with aplomb.
A great save by Aaron Phelan from Giltinan’s shot counted for little when Gaspar turned in the rebound for four.
Cork settled for strikes from distance thereafter and the Wexford ‘keeper made several solid stops to prevent further damage.
Wexford now have four games left in this first phase of the competition, starting with a trip to Galway on Saturday. The two home games that follow, against Limerick and Kerry, will go a long way to deciding where the Ferrycarrig Park boys finish in the table.
Wexford F.C.: Aaron Phelan; Darragh McGuire, Dylan Casey, Seán Adam Gourley, Seán Redmond; James Cullen, Evan Connolly; Dylan McEvoy, Evan Farrell (capt.), Rian Fitzpatrick; Tyler Dunphy. Subs. (rolling) - Harry Curtis, Liam Doyle, Seán Fitzpatrick, Paddy Redmond, Conor Carew.
Cork City: Darragh Burke; Jack Anthony, Barry McCarthy (capt.), Dylan O’Halloran; Mattie Murphy; Michael Mullins, Ethan Giltinan, Oran Crowe, Robert Walsh; Elysas Eshaji, Ramon Gaspar. Subs. (rolling) - Keelan Crowley, Fintan Cody, Donnacha O’Doherty, David Cremin, Seán Cummins, Alan Nagle, Conor Hughes.
Referee: Alan Franklin (Wexford).