Agony for Under-15 side
Huge disappointment as Drogheda edge it
THERE WAS huge disappointment for the Wexford Under-15s in the Subway Inter-league Leinster Cup final as the Drogheda Schoolboys’ League held on to a narrow victory to take the trophy in Abbotstown on Sunday.
There was almost nothing to choose between these sides, with Wexford creating more chances throughout the 70 minutes, but critically Drogheda took one of their big opeings and it proved too much to overcome.
It was an absolute heartbreaker for the Slaneysiders. They played some superb football in the game, probably more than their opponents, but the only stat that matters at the end is that their rivals netted late in the first-half for the game’s only goal.
In truth, it was a goal worthy of winning any game. There was a buzz about Ultan McLoughlin pregame that suggested something special was in the offing.
Before his 29th minute goal, there had been a few flashes from the left full-back but Wexford were managing.
Then he took the game by the scruff of the neck, cutting in from the left and leaving defenders in his wake before caressing low to the corner, giving Shane Carroll absolutely no chance between the Wexford sticks.
The first-half was a fairly even affair, with neither side able to gain an upper hand. Tim Ivers went close from a Bobby Katus pass in the opening minute, but Drogheda had sighters of their own, with Dylan O’Boyle forcing Carroll into a save before heading wide four minutes later.
A goal didn’t exactly seem imminent when McLoughlin weaved his magic, but the strike did open the game up.
Wexford went close just before the interval when James Murray headed a long Max Meegan freekick narrowly over the crossbar.
The second-half proved to be a different affair, with Wexford almost completely dominant. Jesse Dempsey dropped a ball in that Cathal O’Brien almost headed into the path of Rúairí Martin, only for it to be cut out at the last second.
Ten minutes in, Katus released Murray but his low shot was well repelled by Fionn McQuillan. Katus dribbled a shot wide moments later before Meegan clipped an effort just over the crossbar.
With the pressure mounting, James Murray broke in on the left, only to be incorrectly flagged for offside. Wexford were building towards one big opportunity and it duly arrived with seven minutes left.
Tim Ivers broke away on the left and Wexford had Drogheda stretched to the limit. The winger fed the ball across the box to Katus, but his effort from eight yards out was scuffed wide much to his own disappointment.
It’s funny how things work out, as it was a similar situation, probably a little trickier than the chance Mo Salah missed in the big Premier League game later in the afternoon, proving that even the best in the world miss major chances at times.
The missed opportunity probably broke Wexford’s resolve a little. They kept battling but didn’t create much in the final few minutes, with Tomivor Osho twice going close to wrapping up the title at the other end.
While this chapter closes for this group of Wexford players, most will go on to play League of Ireland football at Under-15 this coming season, with the majority joining up with Wexford F.C. in the coming weeks.
Wexford: Shane Carroll; Jamie Lyng, Max Meegan, Lee O’Neill, Jesse Demsepy; James Murray, Cathal Sheehan, Rúairí Martin; Cian Levingston, Bobby Katus, Tim Ivers. Subs. (rolling) – Jack McNamara, Cillian Cullen, Cathal O’Brien, Ryan Gavin, Nathan Roche, Ciarán Murphy, Niall Mooney.
Drogheda: Fionn McQuillan; Maithiú Brien, Liam Donnelly, Max Gardiner, Ultan McLoughlin; Dylan O’Boyle, Patrick O’Connell, Lorcan Lynch; Seán O’Halloran, Tadhg Dunne, Altey Guiegen. Subs. (rolling) - Matthew Egan, Gideon Kabi, Hugh McCormack, Darragh Russell, Seán Caldwell, Tomivor Osho, Liam Gorman.
Referee: Ben McEvoy (D.D.S.L.).