Keeper’s red card Koorect
CONOR MCDONALD says Wexford can’t take shelter under the ‘young team’ tag any longer.
Mcdonald, above, still just 22, is entering his sixth senior Championship campaign as they open against Dublin at Wexford Park on Sunday.
Last season was their most successful since he came on the scene as they reached the League semi-final, Leinster final and All-ireland quarter-final during Davy Fitzgerald’s, below, first year in charge.
Can they kick on this year or might it be a case of second year syndrome under Fitzgerald?
Mcdonald said: “I’d say if you have a look at him on the sideline [this Sunday], I’m sure that will answer your question!
“I think it’s pretty obvious that Davy is pretty happy down in Wexford. And we’re obviously happy to have him as well.
“But I think as a group of players, regardless of management, we’re looking to push on.
“A lot of people would have said over the years, ‘Ah yeah, a young team’, but as the years go on you’re getting older and older and you’re running out of time to succeed. As a team, I think there’s a lot more to come. I know I keep harping on about consistency, but we need to try and get that, especially with this new format.
“I would hope we’d get to some positions we were in last year – into a Leinster final.
“Ultimately that’s where we’re looking to get, to see where it takes us. I think everyone in Leinster and everyone in Munster, they want to get to that Munster final, Leinster final, and see where the summer takes you then.”
Wexford haven’t beaten Dublin in the Championship since 2008 but have turned a corner since their last meeting two years ago.
The Dubs had been on a downward spiral but last Sunday’s gutsy display against Kilkenny suggests they are much more formidable than their League form indicated.
“They have guys back now that I would say at the start of the year, they wouldn’t have had and that they were going in the opposite direction,” said Mcdonald.
“Experience is key, especially in this format with the four games so close together,important having your most experienced players.
“There is going to be a ferocious intensity to every game, they are coming down to Wexford Park, expecting to get a win.” quarter-final 5-3 on spot kicks at the Proact Stadium in Chesterfield but he tweeted: “Now it’s time to accept that although as cruel a blow as it was, the decision was correct and we will move on and learn from it to become stronger.”
Corcoran had earlier got no sympathy from his
Dutch counterpart who insisted he deserved to be see red.
Czech referee Zbynek Proske issued the second yellow card to the 16-year-old after being adjudged to have stepped off his line in saving Daishawn Redan’s spot kick.
Corcoran left the pitch in tears and the retaken penalty from Redan flew past stand-in stopper Oisin Mcentee to send the Dutch into tomorrow’s semi-final against England.
The controversy sparked loud boos from Irish fans inside the stadium, with senior boss Martin O’neill emerging on to the pitch to confront the referee.
But Oranje keeper Joey Koorevaar gave a clinical assessment of the incident.
He said: “The referee told us beforehand he would book the goalkeepers if we moved off our line.
“I noticed that he (Corcoran) absolutely did for our last kick and told the officials.
“The referee’s assistant saw it too and he took the appropriate action. We had both been warned.”
It remains to be seen whether O’neill faces any investigation from UEFA for his angry response at the full-time whistle.
Officials will wait to see if the incident is included in the referee’s report, while the FAI are expected to appeal against any suspension incurred by Corcoran.