Wexford in control
Under-18s impress against Limerick
LIMERICK DESMOND LEAGUE WEXFORD FOOTBALL LEAGUE 0 3
THE WEXFORD Football League under-18s overcame a hard-working Limerick Desmond League in their second game in this season’s FAI Youth Inter-League trophy at a wintery Askeaton on Saturday.
Wexford began smartly and should have gone in front after five minutes when the Desmond goalkeeper, Jamie Hickey, did well to save a shot from distance at his near post. Wexford’s Ethan Vickers was following up and hit the post from six yards.
A few minutes later Wexford’s Stephen Kearns crossed low from the right, with Kieran Murphy controlling and flashing his shot just wide.
Limerick’s first chance came after twelve minutes, when slack Wexford defence saw Pa Gallagher head over from close range.
On 23 minutes Wexford goalkeeper Aaron Hall got down quickly to safely gather a freekick from 25 yards by Kevin Guiney.
Wexford deservedly went in front after 32 minutes as Ethan Vickers fired home after getting on the end of a through ball from Michael Carroll. Both sides had some half chances before the half-time break but neither side troubled either ’keeper.
Wexford controlled the second-half, with their quick passes forward creating plenty of chances. On 50 minutes Ethan Vickers shot wide from the edge of the area.
They increased their lead on 55 minutes when Kieran Murphy got on the end of a through ball and drilled his shot under the advancing ’keeper from twelve yards. A minute later Limerick’s Pa Gallagher’s well-struck shot cleared the crossbar.
At the other end Dylan O’Brien went close from 20 yards, and Kieran Murphy dragged his shot across goal after good work from Ryan Furlong. The home ’keeper pulled off a terrific save from Dylan O’Brien’s first-time shot from Kieran Murphy’s cross, and moments later Stephen Kearns should have done better when well placed.
Wexford had a let-off when a mix-up in their defence allowed Mark Hayes a clear run on goal but he delayed his shot with defenders blocking the follow up.
Wexford went three up after 75 minutes when Stephen Kearns seized upon a weak backpass to round the goalkeeper and slot home. They created several more chances from this to the end but goalkeeper Jamie Hickey did well to keep the scoreline respectable.
Wexford’s last game in the group stages will be away to the Cork League in the new year. LIMERICK DESMOND LEAGUE: Jamie Hickey, John MacSweeney, Tadhg McEvoy, Adam Shanagher, Maciek Zalewski, Jeffred Alfred, Adam Long, Kevin Guiney, Mark Hayes, Pa Gallagher, Jack Pierce.
WEXFORD FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Aaron Hall, Ryan Furlong, Todd Hynes, Nathan O’Connor, Jack White, Dylan O’Brien, Stephen Kearns, Ethan Vickers, Kieran Murphy, Michael Carroll, Brandon Sinnott. Subs. used - Kevin Kenny, Liam O’Connor, Shane Beary-Cahill, Cian Cowman, Leon Nolan-Cullen. Not used: Páidí Casey, Rhys Doyle.
REFEREE:
Paul O’Brien (West Limerick).