ALBION WRAP UP THE TITLE IN STYLE
WEXFORD ALBION WEXFORD CELTIC 8 0 WEXFORD Albion wrapped up the Division 3A title in style with a resounding derby win over Wexford Celtic in a blustery Coolcotts on Sunday morning.
Having claimed the Division 4 crown last term, Albion were going for back-to-back league successes, and once Jason Daly fired them in front on eleven minutes the result never really looked in doubt.
The swirling wind made it difficult for both sides, but the hosts adapted better to the conditions, utilising their short passing game well to counteract the elements.
Albion created the first chance of note in the eighth minute when Kyle Mann wriggled free and saw his effort on goal saved by goalkeeper Tony Grace.
The home side didn’t have to wait long to get their noses in front, however. Elliott Malone raced through on goal after Mann swung in a free-kick, and although his shot was well blocked by Grace, Jason Daly was on hand to tap in the rebound.
Albion continued to press and the chances kept coming.
On 18 minutes Kyle Mann drilled a shot wide after being teed up by Kenny Hunt, and two minutes later the Celtic defence did well to thwart Jamie Thomas after he had been played in by Elliott Malone.
Malone had a sight of goal himself seconds later after battling hard to win possession but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper, and the striker again went close on 25 minutes, getting an outstretched leg to a beautiful Dion Murphy delivery, glancing it wide of the left upright.
The industrious Malone was again in the thick of the action three minutes later, collecting a pass from Paddy O’Reilly before swivelling and firing the ball over the bar, and in the 33rd minute Jason Daly’s header from a Jamie Thomas free-kick was too high.
With the chances coming thick and fast it was only a matter of time before Albion added to their tally, and the second goal duly arrived in the 41st minute.
Shane O’Connor played a perfectly-weighted through ball to Jamie Thomas and he steered it to the corner of the net, although Grace did manage to get a hand to it.
The Albion dominance continued after the interval, with Paddy O’Reilly twice going close and substitute Liam O’Connor seeing his audacious effort tipped over the bar by Grace.
The hosts did increase their lead on 58 minutes, and it was a goal to savour. Elliott Malone cushioned the ball back to Jamie Thomas on the right-hand edge of the area, and he met it with a sweet strike that arrowed into the far corner of the net.
Substitute Ian McGuire entered the fray on 62 minutes and produced a cameo to remember, netting a quick-fire hat-trick.
He opened his account with a stylish 25-yard free-kick just two minutes after coming on, and Paddy O’Reilly made it 5-0 when he ran on to a pass from Liam O’Connor and swept the ball home after his initial effort had been saved.
McGuire doubled his personal tally on 75 minutes, clinically finding the corner of the net after being found by Kyle Mann, and he produced a carbon copy finish five minutes later, with Ben Butler providing the assist.
Liam O’Connor completed the rout on 82 minutes when he gathered a Jamie Thomas pass and calmly slid the ball beyond the Celtic goalkeeper.
It has been a glorious twelve months for Wexford Albion, with their first team winning two titles on the trot and their second string crowned Division 5 champs a few weeks ago. WEXFORD ALBION: Nigel Donohoe, Dion Murphy, Paddy O’Reilly, Harry Kavanagh, Jason Daly, Kenny Hunt, Gary Cousins, Shane O’Connor, Elliott Malone, Kyle Mann, Jamie Thomas. Subs. - Liam O’Connor for S. O’Connor, Ian McGuire for Malone, Ben Butler for Daly. WEXFORD CELTIC: Tony Grace, Luke Hayes, Brian Murphy, Ryan Furlong, Sam McSherry, Patrick Brennan, Patrick Gregg, Matthew Duffy, Richie White, Darren Beaver, Brandon O’Brien. Subs. - Seán McGrath for White. REFEREE: Brendan O’Brien.