Under-15 side grab fine draw

WEXFORD F.C. 1 LIMERICK 1

THE WEXFORD Under-15 team bounced back from their bitterly disappointing showing against Galway last time out to grab a superb draw against high-flying Limerick in Ramstown on Sunday.

In fact, the hosts should really have completed the double against the Treaty boys, having taken the lead.

They had had multiple chances to score more goals throughout the contest, only to get done by a soft penalty decision midway though the second-half.

When the sides met down in Limerick earlier in the season, Seán Redmond grabbed the only goal to halt a poor Wexford start to the campaign, and this result could prove to be another huge confidence boost as the second phase fast approaches.

Wexford boss Mark Doran went back to the tried and trusted three at the back after flirting with four in recent weeks.

It made a huge difference as Darragh McGuire, Dylan Casey and Redmond were all rock solid back there.

Further forward, Kyle Clancy made his Wexford F.C. debut on the wing while on the other side of the field, Kennedy Cup star Seán Fitzpatrick is quickly making a name for himself after another impressive showing.

Also vitally important to Wexford’s improved display was the return of Patryk Remiasz.

The talented midfielder missed the last two games while away at Benfica’s camp, where he was singled out by coaches as one of the four stars out of the hundred-strong participants.

It’s easy to see why he’s impressed far and wide, with his quality in the middle allowing Evan Connelly and James Cullen to excel.

Up top Wexford mixed the troops with starters Evan Farrell and Liam Doyle sharing playing time with the physically imposing Tyler Dunphy.

It was all Wexford from the first moments and they created countless chances. Liam Doyle had a couple of one-on-one opportunities with the visiting ‘keeper, while Farrell broke through too but the home side just couldn’t get the goal their play deserved.

That was until a scramble from a corner saw the ball come back off the post and Doyle was on hand to mark his return to the starting line-up with the opening goal three minutes before the change of ends.

Wexford continued to create into the second-half, as Seán Fitzpatrick forced a fine save from the goalkeeper and the hosts also had a goal ruled out by a linesman’s flag. When a coming together in the box saw the visitors awarded a penalty midway though the half, they made no mistake and levelled the game.

The hosts continued to press forward looking for a winner but it wouldn’t come and they had to settle for a point, which was the least they deserved. They return to Ramstown on Saturday to face Kerry (3 p.m.).

Manager Mark Doran was full of compliments for the warm welcome he and his team received from Gorey Rangers, and they were impressed by the quality of the pitch after the recent spell of dry weather.

If Wexford can make themselves feel at home in Ramstown this coming week and beat Kerry, depending on other results, they could almost sew up the fourth spot they have targeted since a poor start to the season left them out of the running for the top three places.

Wexford F.C.: Aaron Phelan; Darragh McGuire, Dylan Casey, Seán Redmond; Seán Fitzpatrick, Patryk Remiasz, Evan Connolly, James Cullen, Kyle Clancy; Evan Farrell (capt.), Liam Doyle. Subs. - Tyler Dunphy, Seán Adam Gourley, Paddy Redmond, Rian Fitzpatrick, Dylan McEvoy, Luke Murphy.