Vital point for Under-15 side
Draw enough for semi-final
WEXFORD F.C. 1 SHELBOURNE 1
WEXFORD F.C. got the point they required to reach the SSE Airtricity League Under-15 shield semi-finals when they shared the spoils with Shelbourne in a high-octane Group 4 contest at Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday.
The hosts got off to the ideal start, taking the lead with just eleven minutes on the clock through Liam Doyle, and although Max Kelly scored a fantastic equaliser for the Dubliners midway through the second-half, Wexford kept them at bay for the remainder of the contest to earn a precious point.
Shelbourne threatened on a couple of occasions early on, with Wexford goalkeeper Luke Murphy having to be alert to block at the feet of Josh Devereux in the sixth minute, and he was called into action again moments later when his gloves were warmed by a Harrison McGrane free-kick.
However, Wexford got their noses in front in the twelfth minute when a beautifully-delivered inswinging Seán Redmond corner from the right was forced in at the back post by Liam Doyle.
The home side tried to strike again when the iron was hot, and four minutes later Doyle had another sight of goal when he ran on to a sweet through ball from Seán Fitzpatrick, but goalkeeper Cathal Byrne was quickly off his line to make the block.
Shelbourne upped the ante to try to force their way back into the game as the first period wore on, and netminder Murphy did well to block a David Agbonyinma effort, before saving a Harrison McGrane snap-shot as Zach Donohue closed in.
Wexford had to soak up plenty of pressure in the second-half, although just over a minute after the re-start they came close to doubling their advantage, but Kyle Clancy saw his effort from a tight angle stopped by Byrne.
Shelbourne pushed forward in droves as they searched desperately for an equaliser, but they found it difficult to carve open a well-drilled home defence.
They did look dangerous from set-pieces though, and Robbie Dragusin slid in to meet a McGrane corner eight minutes into the half, but his shot trickled wide of the right post.
The introduction of substitutes Korde Odumosu and Aidomo Emakhu added fresh impetus to Shelbourne and the latter made space for himself and let fly from distance on the hour mark, but his effort failed to trouble Murphy.
When the goal did come it was a thing of beauty as Shelbourne captain Max Kelly unleashed a fantastic left-footed, dipping longrange strike that flew into the top corner of the net.
Shelbourne’s joy quickly turned to despair though as, after a brief flare-up following the goal, referee Michelle O’Neill showed Shelbourne’s Lee Costigan a straight red card for his part in the scuffle.
That said, the Wexford defence had to be alert to deny Agbonyinma almost immediately after his side had been reduced to ten men, although at the other end Wexford’s Conor Carew forced a save out of Byrne.
Wexford played out the remaining minutes without any real scares and, having finished top of the pile in a group containing Shelbourne, Cabinteely and U.C.D., they can look forward to their shield semi-final with a degree of confidence.
Wexford F.C.: Luke Murphy, Darragh McGuire, Paddy Redmond, Conor Carew, Seán Redmond, Seán Fitzpatrick, Patryk Ramiasz, James Cullen, Kyle Clancy, Liam Doyle, Evan Farrell (capt.). Subs. (rolling) – Aaron Phelan, Seán Adam Gourlay, Harry Curtis, Tyler Dunphy, Dylan McEvoy, Kyle Rankin.
Shelbourne: Cathal Byrne, Marc Nolan, Kleinfield Newti, Robbie Dragusin, Kevin Cummins, Josh Devereux, Harrison McGrane, Max Kelly (capt.), Zach Donohue, Ryan Reape, David Agbonyinma. Subs. (rolling) – Lee Costigan, Seán Hickey, Greg Kavanagh, Aidomo Emakhu, Korde Odumoso.
Referee: Michelle O’Neill.