Youths sport a new look
A NEW year and a fresh start for Wexford Youths began on Friday when they met Shamrock Rovers in Carlow I.T. for a pre-season friendly.
It was new manager Damian Locke’s first match in charge, his first chance to get a look at the squad he has acquired, and must build, against top-quality opposition.
The Tallaght side have made some eye-catching winter signings, intent on closing the gap on Dundalk, but it was one of their lesser-known names, Conor Davis, who scored the only goal of the game in the first ten minutes.
Despite the result, it was a great night for the youth of the Youths, with seven of last season’s Under-19 squad playing some part in the game. There were also debuts for a string of others.
Ross Kenny, a former Galway United and Mervue player, formed a solid central defensive partnership with one of those graduates, Owen McCormack. Newbies in midfield included former Cabinteely duo Mark Slater and John McKeown, and Seán Hurley, who spent several seasons with Bray and more recently was at Waterford.
It’s all change up front with Danny Furlong in New Zealand and Paul Murphy having left the club. Lee Duffy, formerly of Shelbourne, Drogheda and Longford, made his debut. One of the stars at the end of last season, Eoin Porter, came on and made an impression again.
He was one of six of Billy Molloy’s Under-19s from 2016 to come off the bench in the second-half. Thomas Croke was the odd man out but he’s no stranger to Ferrycarrig Park, having played for Youths in 2012 and ‘13.
Chances were few and far between for Wexford, with Duffy going closest to netting when firing wide from a tight angle in the firsthalf. Rovers cracked the crossbar right on full-time as it finished with Davis’ goal the difference.
Such is the gap between the top two divisions, that Shamrock Rovers headed off Spain to continue their pre-season preparations after this game.
There’s no such glamour for Wexford, as they face Drogheda United in Ferrycarrig Park on Friday in their second friendly (8 p.m. kick-off).
In other news, former Youths centre-half Ryan Delaney from New Ross has been signed by Cork City until July on a loan deal from Burton Albion. Delaney moved to the Championship club last summer but hasn’t featured in league action thus far.
Paul Murphy, one of Delaney’s team-mates in Ferrycarrig Park in the first half of last season, has now opted against joining Waterford United due to work commitments and will instead return to North End United.
Meanwhile, another talented Wexford teenager, Connal Flood from Cloughbawn, has signed for Bray Wanderers.
Wexford Youths Women have also strengthened their squad with the addition of Siobhán Doolan from Curracloe United.
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle (capt.); Craig McCabe, Owen McCormack, Ross Kenny, Andy O’Connor; Mark Slater, Craig Wall, John McKeown, Shane Dunne, Seán Hurley; Lee Duffy. Subs. - Corey Chambers, Conor Sutton, Thomas Croke, Craig Hayes, Liam George, Eoin Porter, Vincent Quinlan.