Wexford unlucky against Kilkenny

Wexford.......1 Kilkenny..........2

On Sunday, the county U16 team went down 2-1 to neighbours Kilkenny in their second group game and have just three games left to get their act together, as they strive to get out of the group.

Kilkenny started the stronger, scored early and were unlucky not to score a second before Wexford came into the game and equalised through Blake Carr.

Amazingly, the much lauded Kilkenny side faded rapidly after the home side scored and it was Wexford who looked the stronger team for much of the rest of the game.

We had a number of chances to go in front but it just didn’t happen and it was disappointing to concede a second goal from a set piece free kick with just four minutes remaining.

Kilkenny have a nice football team, but then they usually do.

Nine of the starting 11 play their club football with Evergreen which makes them a settled side. Evergreen obviously attract the best players in the country, much as League of Ireland sides generally do in their own region.

Things happen a bit more slowly in Wexford, where the thinking tends to be a bit more parochial.

Best for Wexford on the day were Craig McCabe, Darren Foley, Richie Farrell and Richard Jeffers.

We may have been disappointed with the result but we can have no complaints with the referee Charlie Stacey who had a very good game.

One thing I did promise the players who lost to Kilkenny - if we happen to meet them in the Inter League Youths competition in two years time, the scoreline will be different.