U-15s improve despite loss

WEXFORD PUT in a much-improved performance but came up a little short against a talented Cork City side in their SSE Airtricity Under-15 League Group 3 match at Bishopstown on Sunday.

The Ferrycarrig Park boys weren’t satisfied with their performance in their previous game against Carlow/Kilkenny and wanted to put in a showing more akin to the qualities they possess.

For the most part they matched table-toppers Cork. Indeed, in a game of few chances the hosts took their opportunities that came along but they certainly didn’t have it all their own way on a heavy, wet pitch.

Wexford had several strong showings across the park, with Evan Farrell, Evan Connolly and defender Darragh McGuire the pick of the starters. Paddy Redmond also made a great impact coming from the bench to stake his claim for a starting berth.

After a fairly uneventful start, a ball through the centre of the Wexford defence got Chris O’Connor away on goal and he produced the finish low to the bottom corner to put the hosts a goal to the good.

The visitors played some good football as the half wore on.

They knocked it about and probed but came up against arguably the side with the best defence in the league. They went in behind at the break but could count themselves unlucky.

Things continued in the same vein after the change of ends, and the lull was only broken when Cork scored a freak goal.

Robert Walsh looked to cross to the back post but overhit his effort and it sailed all the way into the net.

Going two down prompted a change of shape as Wexford went looking for a way back into the game.

Evan Farrell forced Darragh Burke into a clever save and later missed the target with another Wexford chance as Cork repelled their opponents’ best advances.

Management will be encouraged by this performance and will expect more of the same when Wexford get back on the pitch this coming Sunday.

They face Galway at Ferrycarrig with kick-off down for 2 p.m.

Wexford: Aaron Phelan, Darragh McGuire, Seán Redmond, Seán Adam Gourlay, Dylan Casey, Evan Connolly, Liam Doyle, Patryk Remisz, Micheál Quinlan, Evan Farrell, Rian Fitzpatrick. Subs. (rolling) - Paddy Redmond, Eoin Murphy, Conor Carew, Harry Curtis, Luke O’Rourke, Dylan McEvoy.

Cork City: Darragh Burke, Alan Nagle, Jack Anthony, Matthew Murphy, Dylan O’Halloran, Seán Cummins, Ramon Gaspar, Oran Crowe, Chris O’Connor, Keelan Crowley, Robert Walsh. Subs. (rolling) - Elyas Eshaji, Ethan Giltinan, Michael Mullins, Fintan Cody, Barry McCarthy, Conor Hughes.