Under-15 side hit back with big win
WEXFORD F.C. KERRY LEAGUE 5 0
WEXFORD RE-IGNITED their SSE Airtricity Under-15 League campaign with a bang as they crushed the Kerry League in Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday.
For the boys of Wexford it was another must-win, as Cork City held rivals Waterford to a point on Saturday, so they granted the Ferrycarrig side control of their own destiny once again.
It was a second chance that Wexford certainly took as they made Kerry’s long trip back home as painful as they come.
While Kerry enjoyed some early pressure, the chances began to fall in favour of the home side. Cormac Bruce shot from distance before Seán O’Brien-Murphy rampaged forward and saw his effort smothered from close range.
The breakthrough finally came in the 23rd minute when Gavin Doody’s misplaced pass was pounced on and finished through the ‘keeper’s legs by captain Darragh Levingston.
Even in games where the scoreline ends as one-sided as this one did, there are still turning points which dictate the outcome.
The turning point in this encounter came just before half-time, when referee Eric Molloy somehow decided that three minutes of additional time were warranted.
Wexford counter-attacked from a Kerry corner and Bruce’s shot was parried for Brody Murphy to tap in deep into this period of added time.
Kerry, clearly fuming from another case of refereeing incompetence in this Under-15 league, picked themselves up and gave it a good go for the first ten minutes after the re-start.
Yet, as Wexford’s rearguard held strong for their first clean sheet in five, they began to pick off the Munster men.
Dylan Whelan saw his acrobatic bicycle kick saved before Luke Greene fed Levingston for the third, the midfielder half-volleying low past Doody into the right bottom corner.
Levingston completed his hattrick in slightly less assured circumstances, as his overcooked cross from distance beat Doody for height and flew into the top of the net.
Wexford’s fifth also came from a free-kick. However, this one was certainly intentional. Brian Byrne stepped up with time running out to make it a round five with his knuckleball over the Kerry wall and into the roof of the net.
This is certainly a win which will give Wexford renewed confidence. By the time they play their final group game next Sunday they will know exactly what is required of them.
A draw between Waterford and Limerick on Saturday means a win over bottom-placed Cobh will see Wexford qualify for the quarter-finals atop of the Group 3 table.
A win of any kind, regardless of scores elsewhere, will see this Under-15 side become the first-ever Wexford F.C. team to qualify for the cup quarter-final stage in any under-age league.
Meanwhile, the Wexford Youths Women won’t be in action again until Sunday, October 29, when they travel to Bishopstown to take on Cork City in a must-win league encounter.
They will be seeking revenge for their recent cup semi-final exit to the Leesiders in Bunclody.
Wexford: David Murphy; Seán O’Brien-Murphy, Kyle Scallan, Dylan Whelan, Shane Gibson; Luke Greene, Graham O’Reilly, Darragh Levingston, Cormac Bruce, Evan Farrell; Brody Murphy. Subs. (rolling) - Brian Byrne, James Dowling, Darragh O’Donoghue, Darragh McGuire, Rian Fitzpatrick, Mark Atkin, Cian Kinlough.
Kerry: Gavin Doody; Zack Behan, Liam Collins, Ted Moloney, Eliah Riordan; Junior Ankomah, Soni Ramani, Seán McGrath, William Shine, Robert Vasiu; Leo Ghaxa. Subs. (rolling) - Phillip Evans, Cian Brosnan, Daniel Okwute, Dylan Doona.
Referee: Eric Molloy (Wexford).