Wexford too hot for Wicklow

WITH the inter-county GAA season scheduled to start next month, Wexford and Wicklow began preparations for their Minor footballers with a challenge game at Pearse’s Park, Arklow, on Saturday.

Wexford, who have a huge squad of over 30 players, led their opponents from start to finish, emerging 3-14 to 1-10 winners at the final whistle.

In just over two weeks’ time on October 17, the Wexford Minors will be away to Louth in the Leinster championship while Wicklow will be at home to Longford.

Wexford came out of the blocks strongly, but an early fixation trying for goals cost them scores. They led 0-4 to 0-2 at the water break.

Wicklow got into the groove in the second quarter. E

ven though Wexford got the goals they craved through wing back Corbyn Browne and centre back Rian Fitzpatrick, palmed to the net after cracking a penalty shot off the crossbar, Wicklow showed resilience responding with a goal of their own by Thomas Keogh. But still they trailed by 1-4 to 2-5 at half-time.

Kyle Rankin was one of the Wexford players who came off the bench for the second half and he made his mark, scoring 1-4. Wicklow did not show the white feather, hitting back with five points in the third quarter, to trail their opponents by 1-9 to 3-7. Rathnew’s Eoin Doyle, who wore the number 14 shirt, was their top scorer with five points.

However, Wicklow ran out of steam in the final quarter as Wexford finished clear winners 3-14 to 1-10.

Scorers for Wexford: Corbyn Browne 1-0, Rian Fitzpatrick 1-1, Kyle Rankin 1-4, Alan Mahony, Bill Peare Cian Hughes 0-2 each, Shane Culleton, Andrew Smith, Liam Doyle 0-1 each.

Wicklow: Thomas Keogh 1-0, Eoin Doyle 0-5, JP Nolan and Danny Silke Fetherson 0-2 each, Cathal Baker 0-1.