Teenager Keohane the toast of Ferrycarrig
JIMMY KEOHANE has gone on to forge a notable professional career in England, but on May 14, 2010, the Kilkenny-born teenager was the toast of Ferrycarrig Park after his 91st-minute winner secured all three points for Wexford Youths in their Airtricity League of Ireland First Division south-east derby clash with Waterford United.
It was a fine victory for the home side as they were upsetting the odds, given that their near neighbours were tucked in behind Derry City in second spot on the table.
In contrast, Youths were third from bottom and in need of every point they could muster, so to pounce at such a late stage for a 1-0 victory over their arch-rivals was certainly sweet.
Five of the double-winning Under-18 squad of two years earlier were in action – Shane Dempsey, Danny Furlong, Kevin Rowe, Shane Sinnott and Chris Kenny. In addition, four more were in the squad – Pa Doyle, Lee Aust, Warren Broaders and Gareth McCurtin.
Keohane and Aidan McCann had been added from the 2009 Under-18 crew, while the much-needed dash of additional experience was provided by Packie Holden, current coach David Breen, Anthony Wolfe, Dean Broaders, Anthony Russell, Gary Sheahan and Paul ‘Patsy’ Malone.
The central defensive pairing of Breen and Wolfe excelled, while Russell and Broaders enjoyed their best games of the season on the flanks.
Not even the presence in the Waterford line-up of a former Cork City duo, George O’Callaghan and Liam Kearney, unnerved the home players.
The prolific O’Callaghan had scored a double hat-trick in a cup game earlier in the week, but he was denied even one shot on this occasion by the inspired Wexford defending.
The late winner came when Keohane’s shot took a wicked deflection off centre-back Paul McCarthy, leaving ’keeper Chris Konopka diving the wrong way as the ball finished in the opposite corner of the net.
Wexford Youths: Packie Holden, Anthony Russell, David Breen, Anthony Wolfe, Dean Broaders, Jimmy Keohane, Paul Malone, Shane Dempsey, Danny Furlong, Gary Sheahan, Kevin Rowe. Subs. - Chris Kenny for Rowe (87), Shane Sinnott for Broaders (90+4).