Wexford
Kennedy Cup 2024
Wexford
3
Dundalk
0
Wexford
wearing the barcelona colors produced some scintillating football to win this
first round game in UL.
From
the outset Wexford looked to play the ball around while standing resolute in
defense anytime Dundalk attacked there goal. The first half looked to be
finishing goalless. Then with seven minutes to go up stepped Lee Jordan to
finish calmly into the corner on the break after some great build up play.
After
the interval it was that man Jordan who netted from an acute angle after
dispossessing the goalie near the endline. The ref was about to blow the final
whistle when up stepped Patryk Werra to lash in the south east side's third
goal, this one coming from long range.
Wexford
1
Wicklow
1
A
solid defense performance after going down to ten men saw this Wexford wide
stay unbeaten after the opening two rounds of the tournament in UL.
From
the outset it was clear that nothing would separate these two noisy neighbors .
Wexford
produced the first chance of the tie but the goalline scramble was well cleared
.
Both
sides produced half chances before an after the water break, it was clear that
it would have to be a special strike to take the lead
With
five minutes to go before half time Wexford center back Bobby Connell fired in
a volley from the edge of the box . Giving his side the lead at the break.
After
the interval it was all Wicklow led by Cian Murphy up front.
It
was the striker who nearly set up the equalizer but David McCormack's effort
was well saved .
Moments
later Murphy produced some fine skill to be awarded a penalty which was
converted by Sam Conyard.
After
Wexford goalkeeper Elliott Barrett saw a straight red for handling outside the
box , a strong defensive performance saw them come away with a share of the
spoils in this M11 Derby.
Wexford
1
Limerick
District 0
A
solitary first half goal was the difference in this top of the table clash.
It
was the southeast side who got the better of one of the home teams in the final
group game Tuesday evening.
After
a tough battle against their neighbors Wexford knew a win would ensure them top
spot in this group. From the first whistle the southeast pressed up on their
counterparts and within five minutes Cormac Cunningham had won the ball back
high up the pitch before firing into the top corner. Both sides found it
difficult to get any clear cut chances, but just before the water break
Limerick’s Jack Taheny broke free from the defense but his shot was excellently
saved by Oscar Cullen in the net.
From
the first break up until the halftime whistle neither side could gain a
foothold in the tie as the middle third of the pitch turned into a battle
ground.
Leaving
Wexford one up at the break.
After
the whistle was blown for the resumption both sides continued to try to gain
that all important foothold. This didn't materialize as neither side managed to create any clear
cut chances in the second half even with bodies tiring.
This
left the Yellow bellies delighted at the final whistle as they had done enough
to stay in the Cup side of the draw.
Wexford
were then drawn to play West Cork in the cup quarter final Wednesday evening in
UL.
Cup
Quarter Final
Wexford
1
West
Cork 0
Wexford
have turned out to be one of the best defensive sides in the tournament because
after this result they have only let in one goal up until the semi final.
The
first half of this quarter final was a tough battle as both sides evened each other out. It was the south
east side who eventually started to gain control around the middle. This led to
a number of chances in the opening half but none of them managed to get through
a resolute West Cork rearguard .
After
the resumption Wexford piled on the pressure and eventually broke the deadlock
as Lee Jordan managed to rattle the back of the net with twenty minutes left in
the game. The Munster side started to push forward after the second water break
but led by captain Sean Galway the southeast side managed to hold out to win
the tie by a solitary goal. This meant they would be in the cup semi final on
Thursday afternoon.
Cup
Semi Final
Wexford
0
South
Belfast 3
It
was South Blefast who finally broke down the meanest defense in the Kennedy Cup
as they got the better of their southeast opponents in this hotly anticipated
semi final.
These
two teams had only played each other recently in the inter league and this was
clear to see as they matched up quite evenly.
The
deadlock was broken inside ten minutes
when Rocco Devlin found Beto Unhabo to fire past the returning Eliott
Barrett.This early setback didn't seem to affect the game plan of Wexford as
they battled back to create a number of chances. The majority of which fell to
the impressive striker Lee Jordan who unfortunately couldn't find that elusive
leveling goal before the halftime
whistle.
Within
minutes of the second half starting the Ulster side had doubled their average
as that man Devlin found Winner Kabuya who slotted in past Barrett. Wexford did
battle admirably to try to narrow the gap but they couldn't get the better of
the opposition defensive unit.
As
the final whistle drew closer the Belfast side were awarded a penalty which was
converted by Daniel Anderson to ensure victory and a cup final slot for his
side .
3rd
and 4th place match
Wexford
0
Galway
.1
It
wasn't to be for Wexford as a solitary goal was the difference in there last game of the whole tournament
From
the beginning of this tie on Friday evening in UL it was clear that a goal
would probably be the main difference to see who would place higher in the
final standings.
The
Connacht side fired in the first show across the wexford bows but their free
kick flew over the bar.
Chances
were few and far between in this tie but the best one before the first break
fell to Wexford’s Aaron Nolan but his effort was well blocked by the
opposition.
After
the resumption Galway took the lead when Ronan Keating's effort flew into the
net. Leaving his side one up at the break.
After
half time the southeast side battled back into contention creating chances either side of the water break but they
couldnt break down the Galway defense.
Up
until the final whistle Galway stood strong and kept out Wexford who valiantly tried to find that
elusive equalizer.
Wexford
should be proud of their fourth place finish in the competition.
After
the game we got the thoughts of Manager Simon Barnes. He details how “ it has
been a brilliant week and the lads have been excellent.” Finishing fourth in
the tournament was a fantastic result for his side. He goes on to say how “ he
has had a great four years with them, and hopes they go onto bigger and better
things.”
As a
final word he mentions three of the
players who are lucky enough to be traveling to Blackpool next Friday with the
SFAI squad. “ We have three lads going to Blackpool next week, these are Sean
Galway, Darryl Kehoe and Aaron Nolan.”
Wexford
Kennedy Cup Squad
Séan
Galway: New Ross Town
Elliott
Barrett: St Joseph’s
Oisín
Ó Suilleabhán: St Joseph’s
Lewis
Nolan: St Joseph’s
Oscar
Cullen: Moyne Rangers
Aaron
Nolan: Newpark United
Daryl
O’ Brien: Bridge Rovers
Billy
Heffernan: Oylegate United
Bobby
Connell: New Ross Town
Patryk
Werra: St Joseph’s
Oisín
O’Connor: St Joseph’s
Charlie
McCrathy: Cushinstown
David
Byrne: Rosslare Rangers
Lee
Jordan: Shamrock Rovers.
Jack
Harding Kenny: Curracloe United
Cormac
Cunningham: Forth Celtic
Luke
Collins Turner: Shamrock Rovers
Leonardas
Krugelevicius: Campile United
Bernard
Switton: Gorey Celtic
Darryl
Kehoe: St Joseph’s
Head
of Delegation: Ian Lawlor
Manager:
Simor Barnes
GK
Coach: John Rossiter
Coach:
Andrew Byrne
Coach:
Killian Moran
Physio
Michael O’ Neill
Secretary
Anne Marie O’ Neill.
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