O’Neill and Doyle goals clinch Kerry win

KERRY LEAGUE WEXFORD YOUTHS 1 2 WEXFORD YOUTHS moved up to eighth in the SSE Airtricity Under-17 League Southern Elite Section table with a strong victory away to Kerry League on Sunday.

Luke O’Neill and Danny Doyle were the heroes with first-half goals that see Youths move above Limerick into the top eight with seven league games remaining.

Kerry have been in decent form in recent weeks, winning two of their previous five after changing management and bringing in several new signings. However, they started this game on the back foot.

Youths went at their hosts from the off and were ahead within seven minutes.

Wexford broke down the wing with Kallum Broaders and Adham Masoud combining well to set up Luke O’Neill who fired home from close range.

The hosts pulled level just two minutes later. Long balls were a feature of their play, and one of their first paid dividends as a long free-kick pinged around the box. Adam Dempsey made a good save initially but Martin Coughlin fired the rebound to the net.

Wexford continued to be the better team. New singing from North End, Cian Foley, was excellent at the heart of the defence.

Youths regained the lead nine minutes before the break when Luke O’Neill beat a couple of Kerry men on the wing and crossed for Danny Doyle to net.

Leading 2-1 at half-time, Wexford kept pressing looking for a clincher. They were denied a couple of penalties by the local referee but didn’t let it frustrate them. With Doyle, Masoud and Luke O’Neill causing problems, Kerry were hanging on at times.

The hosts put a little pressure of their own on late in the game but Wexford were fully deserving of their first three points since week eight against Salthill Devon.

Youths are still targeting a top four spot and a place in the play-offs. They sit 13 points off Shamrock Rovers and Cobh Ramblers, who are joint third, and will likely need to win out to have a chance.

Next up for Garrett Larkin’s side is a challenging home tie with current league leaders Cork City.

That game will be played in Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday (2 p.m.).

Wexford Youths: Adam Dempsey; Kallum Broaders, Cian Foley, Paddy Barron; Jack Brazzill; Sam O’Neill, Cian Doyle, Craig O’Reilly, Luke O’Neill; Adham Masoud, Danny Doyle. Subs. - Eddie Black for C. Doyle, Mikie Carroll for O’Reilly, Kyle Kennedy for S. O’Neill, Jack Bates for Brazzill, Stephen Kearns for L. O’Neill, also Ciarán Sheil.