Kennedy Cup Squad return from the west

The Wexford Kennedy Cup Squad returned from Sligo after their successful three day trip to the west of Ireland. The trip began with a game on Friday afternoon against Longford’s Kennedy Cup Squad in Longford town. In atrocious weather conditions, Wexford went on to win the opening game of their trip 3-1. Noel Beever opened the scoring six minutes into a game dominated by poor weather conditions. Longford levelled after the restart, but Wexford went on to dominate and goals from Paul Brennan and Darragh Rossitor completed a 3-1 victory.
Following an overnight stay at the Arrow rock Hostel in Sligo, Wexford travelled to Donegal Town to take on Donegal’s Kennedy Cup team in what was a thrilling game. Wexford once again dominated from the beginning and goals from Aaron Maddock and Darragh Rossitor gave Wexford a comfortable 2-0 half time lead. Donegal struck back from the restart with a wonder strike. However Wexford reacted and created a host of chances which eventually paid dividends with Aaron Maddock’s finish on the back post from a corner regaining their two goal advantage. Donegal took full advantage of a host of Wexford changes and hit two goals in a minute to level at 3-3. Again, Wexford reacted positively and a cross from Darragh Rossitor was volleyed onto the post by Seamus Casey and onto the feet of the onrushing Aaron Maddock who completed his hattrick and Wexford’s 4-3 victory.
The final game of the trip was a tricky encounter for Wexford with tired legs and tired minds evident. Wexford played 2010 Kennedy Bowl winners Sligo. Wexford went in at half time with a deserved 1-0 lead from a Nathan Brennan corner that was headed home by Noel Beever. Wexford had a number of opportunities to extend their lead over a stunned Sligo side who were expected to have a comfortable afternoon. Paul Brennan, Conor Sutton, Aaron Maddock and Darragh Rossitor all had great opportunities but it wasn’t to be. Wexford led in this game up until 2 minutes from the finish when Sligo equalised and within a minute of that they took the lead when Sligo’s forward drove home from all of 20 yards with a brilliant strike to complete 2-1 win against. Next stop for Wexford’s Kennedy Cup team is a trip to Carlow on the 13th November followed by the visit of Kildare on the 27th before a busy Christmas programme begins.

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Kennedy Cup Squad Friendly Result

Cork 1-1 Wexford

The Kennedy Cup squad travelled to Cork city in the return game of this friendly fixture last Sunday and played their part in a spectacle of good football. Following Wexford’s 6-2 victory over Cork two weeks ago in New Ross, Wexford were under no illusions of a similar result going in to this return fixture, if anything they expected a tough game. They weren’t disappointed. Cork dominated the first ten minutes of the game and the Wexford defence were put under pressure. Good defensive performances from the back four of Ryan Coughlan, Paul Murphy, Jack Foran and Nathan Brennan reduced Corks pressure to long range efforts but for one occasion on ten minutes when they broke down the left and Cork went in behind the defence only for the shot to go narrowly wide. At that stage, Cork where on top and would have deserved the lead but it wasn’t to be.

But it served as a wake up call for Wexford who gradually worked their way back in to the game and eventually finished the stronger team by half time. The beginning of the 2nd half was no different from the 1st with Cork flying out of the blocks for the first few minutes but on this occasion Wexford were up for the challenge and withheld any Cork attacks and responded with creative counter attack plays. The introduction of Coakley, Rossitor and Maddock gave Wexford a new dynamic. Robert Coakley and Darragh Rossitor’s pace on the flanks threatened the Cork defence for the remainder of the game while Aaron Maddock’s power up front was also paying off. A bizarre moment occurred from a corner kick 10 mins into the 2nd half when a Nathan Brennan corner was met firmly by the raiding Paul Brennan’s head. The ball clearly hit the support at the back off the net only for the referee to wave play on explaining later that he’d thought it hit the post. The Cork players were walking away before realising the referee’s mistake.

Minutes later, Wexford did go in front when Rossitor was put through by Dale Kirwan and his uncatchable run ended with a good finish. Wexford had chances to extend their lead with efforts from Maddock, Paul Brennan and Coakley as they continued to dominate the game. Cork equalised with seven minutes to go when a long ball was cleared into the path of their centre forward who broke the offside trap and duly finished with a chip over Eoin Cummins head. Next stop for the Kennedy Cup squad is a trip Rathnew were they will face the Wicklow Kennedy Cup Team on the 25th of this month.

Team: Dylan Murphy, Ryan Coughlan, Paul Murphy, Jack Foran, Nathan Brennan, Daniel Brennan, Conor Sutton, Paul Brennan, Noel Beever, Eoin McGuckin, Brendan Furlong, Michael Bergin, Dale Kirwan, Darragh Rossitor, Robert Coakley, David Clarke, Aaron Maddock. Inj: Ryan Cullen, Alex Bergin Tony Crosbie and Seamus Casey.

Up Coming Fixtures for the Kennedy Cup Squad.

25th October 2010: - Wicklow v Wexford, Rathnew.

29th October 2010: - Longford v Wexford, Longford.

30th October 2010: - Donegal v Wexford, Donegal Town.

31st October 2010: - Sligo v Wexford, Sligo.

Other Recent results:

Wexford 6-2 Cork. Wexford 3-3 St Pats U14, Carlow. Wexford 1 -3 Wicklow Rvrs U14s.

Ben