Outclassed Under-13 crew hit for six by D.D.S.L.
A DEVASTATING performance from the Dublin and District Schoolboys’ League proved too much for the Wexford Schoolboys’ League to handle in the Subway Inter-League Under-13 Leinster Cup final in Abbotstown on Sunday.
The Wexford boys came into the game knowing they would face the cream of the country, having fallen narrowly to them in the group stages.
However, D.D.S.L. were sensational. They were incredibly comfortable on the ball, and they knew when to pick their moments to attack.
Wexford put in a Trojan effort throughout the game. They were under a lot of pressure at the back but repelled most of the Dublin forays forward, while in midfield they tried to keep the ball on the deck and play football, but it was tough against such a powerful opponent.
Up top Wexford did stretch the D.D.S.L. defence on several occasions, but even when they seemed to be in a difficult position, the hosts’ defence was able to recover and close off promising avenues of attack.
Wexford probably needed a good start to have a chance, but D.D.S.L. immediately got on the ball and spread it around.
They took just seven minutes to go in front when Zak Reddy slipped Mason Melia into the clear, and the attacker sent a composed finish past William Gaul.
The visiting ‘keeper made a fine stop from Eric Schutte in the 13th minute, but Wexford did break forward moments later.
Jan Wozniak was fouled in the centre of goal, and Kaylem Harnett smashed the dead-ball off the underside of the crossbar, but Filip Wasilewski couldn’t force the rebound over the line.
That near miss rattled the Dublin side and they rarely threatened for the next ten minutes. However, Melia fired home his second in the 26th minute, and two minutes later Fiacha Coffey found the net as they pushed on again.
Emma Rossiter almost made an immediate impact, flashing wide from distance just before the break, but Wexford did go in three down and with a mountain to climb.
Things were tough for the Slaneysiders in the second-half, with James Lonergan volleying home a fourth six minutes after the resumption.
Olaf Boruc dilled home a fifth at the end of the third quarter, and Lonergan notched his second two minutes later. Wexford did keep them at bay for the remainder of the game and almost grabbed a late consolation.
Harnett stepped on to the ball 40 metres from goal, and travelled with it for a few steps. And when the middle opened up, he struck a powerful shot that Joe Collins did well to save. Alas, there was no consolation for Wexford as D.D.S.L. took the title in style.
Wexford: William Gaul; Cian O’Dowd, Ben Long, Cormac Kinsella; Kaylem Harnett; Killian Brennan, Noah James, Alex Carton, Ben Harpur; Filip Wasilewski, Jan Woziak. Subs. (rolling) - Troy Sinnott, Emma Rossiter, Luke Homan, James Kirby, Rory Goff, Tom Funge, Adam Connick.
D.D.S.L.: Joe Collins; Fiachra Coffey, Conor Longheed, Barry Kealy, Max Curtis; Tadhg Kruger, Seán Moore, Eric Schutte, Philip Cooney; Zak Reddy; Mason Melia. Subs. (rolling) - Ethan Cheese, Rhys Knight, Taylor McCarthy, James Bailey, Jack Ellis, James Lonergan, Olaf Boruc.
Referee: Dylan Redmond (N.D.S.L.).