.

Despite a litany of injuries to the original squad, Wexford manager John Godkin still fielded a very strong side which went on the attack from the kick off and could easily have been two up in the opening ten minutes, with Jason Murphy, Alan Pike and Ricky Fox all missing great chances. On the half hour mark Alan Pike had a good effort well saved by Holden in the Kilkenny goal.  Kilkenny gradually got more into the game and nearly went ahead right on the half time whistle when Barcoe’s shot was well saved by Lee Walker in the home goal.

The second half was all Wexford as they battered the "cats goal". Just 2 minutes had passed when Jason Murphy had a great shot just over. Then it was Leighton Gleeson’s turn when his rasping shot was turned around the post by Holden. After 49 minutes Wexford took a deserved lead when a sweeping move involving several players saw Thomas “Ducker” Hawkins get to the by-line and pick out the inrushing Eugene O Brien who gave Holden no chance with a clinical near post finish.

Wexford continued to dominate and went looking for the crucial second goal. Pike’s headed flick on put Jason Murphy in and he was denied again by a good save from Holden. After 65 minutes Ricky Fox had a great shot saved, Two minutes later Jason Murphy’s header from sub Trevor Berry’s corner was cleared off the line by Falsey. After 70 minutes, Jason Murphy  finally got the goal his general play deserved with a sweet left footed strike.

Despite a few more good chances, Wexford failed to add to their tally.

Teams: Wexford. Lee Walker, Thomas Hawkins, Lee Chin, Anthony Rossiter, David Purcell, Sean Culleton, Leighton Gleeson, Alan Pike, Jason Murphy, Ricky Fox, Eugene O Brien. Subs used: Trevor Berry, Philip Droohan, Craig McGuire.

Kilkenny: J Holden, R Quan, J Kelly, M Falsey, D Brennan, J Mulcahy, P O Brien, E Clifford, S Barcoe, C Whearty, K Mulcahy.

Referee: Mark Hogan, Assistants: Michael Franklin, Paddy Nolan. Wexford Branch ISRS.

d

Oscar Traynor Trophy Quarter Final: Limerick District League 0 Wexford Football Lge 5

Wexford advanced to the semi final of this seasons Oscar Traynor competition with a five goals to nil win over Limerick in Jackman Park, Limerick on Saturday evening as they gave their hosts a lesson in clinical finishing. Twenty four minutes had passed when the opening goal arrived for Wexford with Chris Kenny’s defence splitting pass putting Jason Murphy in and he made no mistake with a volley to the Limerick net from fifteen metres out. Things got even better for the visitors after 42 minutes as Limerick tried to spring an offside trap, Paul Murphy timed his run to perfection to latch onto Shane Dempsey’s pass, round Neville in goal and roll the ball into the empty net. Wexford went three up right on half time with Paul Murphy dispossessing full back Paul Fitzgerald and crashing home a superb goal.

Limerick had to go all out on the resumption and they came very close on 47 minutes when Thomas Lyon’s free kick from wide on the left came back off the Wexford crossbar and was cleared to safety. On the hour mark however, any chance of a Limerick comeback was well and truly ended when a super Wexford move involving Jason Murphy and Shane Dempsey finished with Eugene O Brien being pulled back in the area, and Paul Murphy completed his hat trick from the penalty spot with a sweetly struck shot. Kyle Dempsey wrapped up the scoring after 85 minutes, when he cut in from the right wing and his cross cum shot was fumbled by keeper Neville and ended up in the net.

Limerick: Gary Neville, Paul Fitzgerald, Ian Storan, Thomas Lyons, Lee O Mara, Patrick McGarry, John Boyle, Jason Hughes, Shane Clarke, Jonathan Grant, Tony Fahy. Subs used: Pat Boyle, Alex Purcell.

Wexford: Lee Walker, Gareth McCurtain, Keith Kearney, Paul Rossiter, Anthony Russell, Chris Kenny, James Carthy, Shane Dempsey, Jason Murphy, Paul Murphy, Eugene O Brien. Subs used: Kyle Dempsey, Leighton Gleeson, Adam Beary.

Referee: Donnie O Gorman: Assistants: Anthony Fitzmaurice and Liam O Connor (Desmond League)

Umbro FAI Inter League Youth Trophy Final:Waterford District League 1 Wexford Football League 1 (Wexford won 5-4 on pens)

Wexford captured their fifth national title at Youth Inter League level in Waterford on Sunday when, in a cracking game of football, they came from a goal down to force extra time and then defeat the home side in a penalty shoot out.

Wexford had the aid of the strong breeze in the first half and started the game well. Ten minutes into the game, Stephen McGuire went on a terrific run past several Waterford defenders before unleashing a smashing left footed drive: it looked a certain goal, but Matthew Connor in goal for the home side made the first of many superb saves to touch the shot onto the post, where it rebounded to safety. The home side came more into the game possession wise as the half went on and with only two minutes left in the half, midfielder Dale O Mahoney gave them the lead with a well struck effort from the left side of the penalty area after good play from Dean Reidy had set up the chance.

The Wexford management made a bold move midway through the second half in taking off a defender, pushing centre half Donal Shanley forward and reverting to man for man marking in defence. With only four minutes left in normal time, Wexford got the equaliser that their play deserved: Dale Flynn’s free kick into the box was mishandled by Connor under pressure from Graham Staples and Donal Shanley forced the loose ball home to make it one goal each.

It was all Wexford at this stage as they finished the game much stronger. Just two minutes into extra time, keeper Connor came to Waterford’s rescue again with a point blank save from Sean Ryan after Shanley had set up the chance with a header across goal. The relentless pace of the game was taking its toll as players from both sides went down with cramp all through extra time. Despite enjoying the majority of possession, Wexford couldn’t force that vital goal, and the game went to a penalty shoot out.

Waterford went first with Shane Mackey scoring,  Mikie Rowe replied for Wexford.. Jamie Hunt scored for Waterford, Donal Shanley likewise for Wexford. Two all. Daniel Pender scored for Waterford while Donncha O Connor put his effort over the crossbar. Full back, Corey Kavanagh then saw his penalty come back off off the bar to give Wexford a lifeline, and Stephen McGuire stroked his shot home to level matters again. Goal scorer Dale O Mahoney put his effort away while Owen Rhodes was coolness personified as he smacked his penalty home to make it four all. Up stepped Dean Reidy for Waterford and his well struck effort also rebounded off the bar. Sean “Mini” Ryan had the onerous task of taking the penalty that would see the national trophy come  back to Wexford again if he scored, and he didn’t disappoint, with a solid shot to the net which sparked wild scenes of celebration from the large Wexford support.

This was a great game of football with two very talented teams giving their all in a very sporting match. Wexford’s Donal Shanley was adjudged man of the match after a fantastic display. It says much about this Wexford side’s performance that he was pushed hard for the man of the match award by several of his team mates particularly captain Dale Flynn, Donncha O Connor, Graham Staples and Conor Bruce who also had superb matches. This Wexford squad (and their mentors) are very worthy of all the plaudits after such a hard won title, with the quarter final, semi final and final all being won on their opponents grounds. It’s never easy to win a national title!

Waterford had standout performers in team captain Adam Sutton, Shane Mackey, goalkeeper Matthew Connor and the industrious Dean Reidy in midfield.

Teams: Waterford: Matthew Connor, Corey Kavanagh, Robbie Mulligan, Adam

Sutton, Shane Mackey, Dale O Mahoney, Dessie Hutchinson, Sammy Ogayemi, Daniel Pender, Josh Aimiuhi, Dean Reidy. Subs used: Jamie Hunt, James Coad, and Andy Phelan.

Wexford: Dylan Owens, Conor Clancy, Donal Clancy, Dale Flynn, Donncha O Connor, Graham Staples, Conor Bruce, Ryan Nolan, Owen Rhodes, Stephen McGuire, Mikie Rowe. Subs used: Sean Burke, Peter O Rourke, and Sean Ryan.

Referee: Martin Kirby, Assistants: Donald Power, Stephen Rooney. Fourth Official: Enda Quaide. (All Limerick branch ISRS)

FAI Youth Inter League Trophy Semi Final: Galway League 2 Wexford Football League 3

The Wexford Football League’s youth team qualified for their first national final since 2008 with a richly deserved 3-2 win over the Galway League at Eamon Deacy Park, Galway on Sunday. Although playing against the breeze in the first half, Wexford did most of the pressing and a fine run down the right followed by a pin point cross from Ryan Nolan set up Owen Rhodes for a great chance after just 8 minutes, but he put his header from close range straight at Peter Healy in the Galway goal. The opening goal arrived after 44 minutes when another cross from Ryan Nolan from the right, bounced across the goal and was headed home by Stephen McGuire. A one goal lead at half time was the least Wexford deserved.

As expected, the home side did come out in really determined fashion for the second half and began to pile on the pressure. On 58 minutes, Ryan Nolan came to Wexford’s rescue by clearing a goal-bound effort from centre half Alex Byrne off the line. After 64 minutes it was 1-1 when Manning unleashed a pile driver from 20 metres, which brought a great save from Owens, but centre forward Paraic Cunningham reacted smartly to put the rebound away. Wexford managed to raise their game again, and were rewarded after 81 minutes, when Ryan Nolan’s corner kick was headed powerfully home by Owen Rhodes to make it 2-1. Within 2 minutes Wexford were reduced to 10 players when full back Ryan Mahon was shown a very harsh 2nd yellow card for a mistimed tackle on a Galway attacker.

Wexford again responded in the best possible way by scoring a classic breakaway third goal after 84 minutes with Nolan again being the provider, when his pass put in the tireless Graham Staples, who finished expertly to the corner of the net. The drama wasn’t over yet though, as in the 90th minute, referee Foley awarded Galway a somewhat unusual penalty: A Wexford player had fouled his Galway opponent around thirty metres out from goal, and with the referee reaching into his pocket for yet another yellow, Galway took a quick free kick at least ten metres away from where the foul was, and, with the defence in disarray, Stephen McGuire took down Conor Barry in the box. Barry put away the penalty to give Galway an unlikely lifeline, particularly as the referee saw fit to add on nearly eight minutes additional time. Wexford weren’t to be denied though, and held out in some comfort to set up an all South East final against the Waterford League, which will likely be in Ozier Park, Waterford on April 28th.

Teams: Galway: Peter Healy, Eric Neary, Diarmuid Fadden, Paul Healy, Alex Byrne, Shane Connaughton, Dillon Murphy, Richard Fahy, Paraic Cunningham, Conor Barry, Ryan Manning. Subs used: Joe Gaughan, Patrick Madden, and Aaron McConnell.

Wexford: Dylan Owens, Ryan Mahon, Conor Clancy, Dale Flynn, Donnacha O Connor, Graham Staples, Conor Bruce, Stephen McGuire, Owen Rhodes, Ryan Nolan, Mikey Rowe. Subs used: Donal Shanley, Sean Burke and Sean Ryan.

Referee: Pat Foley, Assistants: Barry Blake and John Mulroe (Mayo branch ISRS)

FAI Youth Inter League quarter final: Inishowen League 0 Wexford Football League 1 (a.e.t)

Wexford qualified for the semi final of the FAI Inter League Youth cup with a one goal to nil win over the Inishowen League on Saturday last (after extra time). The match was played at McGinn Park in Buncrana on a wet and bitterly cold day.

Wexford started the game well and carved out a few good chances in the first half. The best of these came just before the half time whistle when some delightful play from Mikie Rowe put Sean Ryan in on goal but he shot straight at Caolant McGonagle in the home goal.

 Inishowen came into the game more in the second half, but aside from a long range effort from Declan McGonagle that rebounded to safety off the foot of the upright, they didn’t really threaten the Wexford goalkeeper Dylan Owens. Wexford finished the half strongly and had good efforts from Mikie Rowe and a header from Graham Staples which went just over.

Extra time was played and, just as it looked very likely that the contest was heading to a penalty shoot out, when, in literally the last minute of play, the lively Mikie Rowe managed to squeeze his shot just inside the post from close range for the vital goal to put Wexford into the semis. Wexford did enough to shade the game on general play but they will have to up their game if they’re to progress to the final in this competition.

Teams: Inishowen: Caolan McGonagle, Aaron Friel, Fearghal Martin, Ciaran Diver, Paddy McGreneghan, Dillon Ruddy, Conor Doherty, Daniel Doherty, Matthew McLaughlan, Daniel Devlin, Declan McGonagle. Subs used: Ciaran Moore, Ronan Doherty.

Wexford: Dylan Owens, Conor Clancy, Ryan Mahon, Dale Flynn, Donnacha O Connor, Graham Staples, Conor Bruce, Stephen McGuire, Sean Ryan, Ryan Noland, Mikie Rowe. Subs used: Sean Burke, Neill Farrington Peter O Rourke.

Referee: Mick Lagan: Assistants: Joe McHugh and Con McLaughlan (Donegal branch ISRS)

FAI Youth Inter League Trophy:         Kildare League 1 Wexford Football League 2

Wexford’s Youth Inter League team qualified for the knock out phase of this season’s competition with a well deserved 2-1 win over the Kildare League last Saturday.

The game was played on Newbridge Town’s all weather pitch and it took the Wexford boys a while to adapt to the surface.

Wexford took the lead after 16 minutes. Ryan Nolan’s in-swinging free kick deceived Conor Behan in goal and found the corner of the net.

Just a minute had been played in the second half when the home side equalised. A cross from the left wing got the Wexford defence in a tangle, and Conor Delahunty headed home from close range.

Wexford managed to regain the lead after 53 minutes. A long ball out of defence was chased down by Mikey Rowe, and the breaking ball fell kindly for half time substitute Donnacha O Connor to fire home a low shot from the edge of the penalty area. Wexford were fairly comfortable from there to the finish, denying Kildare any real chances on goal.

Teams: Kildare: Conor Behan, Aron Fettorie, Mark Ormsby, Abdul Babiher, Jamie Harte, Anthony O Keefe, Luka Lehane, Ian Doyle, Dylan Merrigan, Conor Delahunty, Con Whelan. Subs used:      Jorda Harmon and Harry Sunderland.

Wexford: Dylan Owens, Conor Clancy, Ryan Mahon, Dale Flynn, Niall Farrington, Ryan Nolan, Peter O Rourke, Conor Bruce, Mikey Rowe, Graham Staples, Stephen McGuire. Subs used: Donnacha O Connor and Sean Ryan.

Referee: John Black. Assistants: Liam Carthy and Robert Kennedy. (Kildare branch ISRS)

Oscar Traynor Trophy at Derdimus, Kilkenny, Nov 18th.      Kilkenny League 1 Wexford Football League 4

Wexford’s Oscar Traynor team made it six points out of six with a relatively comfortable win over Kilkenny at a cold and wet Derdimus Park in Kilkenny on Sunday. Wexford forced the pace right from kick off and after just five minutes, Paul Rossiter’s pass played Paul Murphy in but he was denied the opening goal by a great save from Eoin Wall in goal for Kilkenny. From the resultant corner, however, Wexford took the lead. Jason Murphy’s header from brother Paul’s corner, smacked off the crossbar and Shane Dempsey headed in the rebound. It was 2-0 on 34 minutes, when Jason Murphy’s cross from the right was headed home by his brother Paul. Two nil to the away side at the break.

After 54 minutes, Wexford went three up with yet another headed goal, this time it was Eugene O Brien who got the touch to Paul Murphy’s free kick into the box.

It looked like game over at that point, but within a minute, some sloppy play in the Wexford defence let in Eddie Clifford for a very soft Kilkenny goal, and it was game on again.

Kilkenny tried hard to get another goal but were really limited up front, and the result was put beyond all doubt after 78 minutes, when Keith “Nobby” Kearney’s inswinging cross from the left wing deceived keeper Wall and ended up in the net to leave the final tally 4-1, which was probably a fair reflection of the game.

Teams: Kilkenny: Eoin Wall, Jack Poynz, Paul O Brien, Derek Brennan, Dylan Whearty, Niall Andrews,Conor English, Eddie Clifford, Damian Raggett, Chris Whearty, Eddie Nugent. Subs used:Craig Cummins, Vinny O Brien, Emmet Nugent.

Wexford: Lee Walker, Paul Rossiter, Keith Kearney, Gareth McCurtain, Lee Chin, Chris Kenny, Shane Dempsey, Kyle Dempsey, Jason Murphy, Paul Murphy, Eugene O Brien. Subs used: Warren Broaders, James Carthy, Sean Culleton.

Referee: Paddy Geoghan, Assistants: Pat O Connor and Eoin Walsh.(Kilkenny branch ISRS).

Youth Inter League at Fr Murphy Pk, Enniscorthy, November 3rd. Wexford Football Lge 4 Carlow Lge 0

Wexford’s under 18 Inter League team got their campaign off to a winning start with an easy four nil triumph over a disappointing Carlow side at Fr Murphy Park in Enniscorthy.

New manager Mick Larkin, saw his team dominate possession right from the start and they always looked dangerous with a very lively trio up front in Stephen McGuire, Sean Ryan and Mikie Rowe. It took just ten minutes for the home side to go in front with a fine strike from Stephen McGuire.

After 38 minutes, it was McGuire again on the mark when a neat team move saw Mikie Rowe set him up to fire home the all important second goal.

Despite playing against the breeze in the second half, Wexford again had complete control, and went three up after 65 minutes with a fine piece of individual skill from midfielder Ryan Nolan, who controlled an awkward bouncing ball, turned and smashed a great goal to the corner of the net. On 69 minutes, another fine move from the Wexford boys ended with Mikie Rowe cracking home a really fine goal, to make the final score 4-0 to Wexford. It was an impressive win for the home side, but much sterner tests will surely lie ahead.

Teams: Wexford: Dylan Owens, Conor Clancy, Ryan Mahon, Dale Flynn, Niall Farrington, Ryan Nolan, Peter O Rourke, Graham Staples, Sean Ryan, Stephen McGuire, Mikie Rowe. Subs used: Ross Reardon, Dylan Walsh and Sean Toddington.

Carlow: Daniel McMahon, Mark Rennick, Donal Smithers, Evan O Carroll, John Fleming, Graham Byrne, Keith Curran, Liam Brennan, Brian Mullen, Fiach Byrne, Gearroid Cuddihy. Subs used: Jakob Dobose, Daryl Coleman and Alan Rothwell.

Referee: Michael Franklin. Assistants: Ger Cleary and Jimmy Kelly. (Wexford branch ISRS).

Oscar Traynor Trophy at Belvedere Wexford, October 28th. Wexford Football League 2 Waterford League 1

Wexford got this years Oscar Traynor campaign off to a winning start by coming from a goal down to defeat Waterford at a cold and blustery Belvedere Grove on Sunday. The visitors dominated for most of the first half against a lack lustre home side and really should have been ahead by half time.

With just five minutes played, Waterford had the ball in the net with an Eoin Burke diving header from a free kick on the right wing, only for the assistant referee to flag a hotly disputed offside. On twenty minutes home keeper Lee Walker had a “fresh air” kick on a backpass from Lee Chin, and he was very fortunate to see the ball roll just wide of his goalpost.

Just 8 minutes into the second half, Waterford took a deserved lead on the balance of play when former New Ross Celtic (and Wexford) star, Philip “Druky” Droohan pounced on a weak defensive header to smash home a glorious goal from twenty five yards out.

Wexford were struggling to get into the game, particularly in midfield where injured captain Leighton Gleeson was sorely missed. Manager John Godkin made a couple of substitutions around the hour mark, which certainly helped improve matters for the home side. After 68 minutes, good work by Paul Murphy set up his brother Jason for a cracking shot from the edge of the penalty area to make it one all. The winning goal arrived on 75 minutes when a mix up in the Waterford defence let in Paul Murphy, and his square pass made it a simple tap in for Eugene O Brien from a few yards out.

Paul Murphy, Chris Kenny and Lee Chin were Wexford’s best performers on the day, while Francis Rockett, Lee Grace and Philip Droohan were best for the Waterford men.

Overall, Wexford were a shade lucky to get the three points from an impressive Waterford outfit who had only five of last year's team in their starting eleven but nonethless, it’s a good start to a very tough group yet again.

Teams: Wexford: Lee Walker, Keith Kearney, Gareth McCurtin, Anthony Russell, Lee Chin, Sean Culleton, Chris Kenny, Shane Dempsey, Jason Murphy, Paul Murphy, Eugene O Brien. Subs used: Paul Rossiter, Kyle Dempsey and Warren Broaders.

Waterford: Adrian Walsh, Kevin Kelly, Lee Russell, Anthony O Donnell, Adam Heaslip, Francis Rockett, David Baker, Eoin Burke, Paul Quilty, Lee Grace, Philip Droohan. Subs used: Ross Douglas and Mark O Keefe.

Referee: Mark Hogan. Assistants:Brian Fenlon and Jimmy Kelly. 4th Official: Jimmy O Neill (all Wexford branch ISRS).