GALWAY UMBRO CUP

U14'S

Wexford boys lift the cup

Wexford were celebrating at the weekend after lifting the u-15 UmbroGalway Cup at SaIthill Devon’s Drom Soccer Park. The boys put on a brilliant display of attacking football, scoring a remarkable 20 goals in five matches, and were equally as impressive at the back, conceding none. Their achievement is all the more note-worthy when you consider that this is the county Under-14 team and they were up against players a year older.

Manager Tommy Byrne has enjoyed tremendous success with this talented squad of players over the past three years. Two years ago they became the first Wexford side to win the Cremin Cup, they won the Bowl at the Kennedy Cup last year and this latest triumph is the icing on the cake. The tournament began brilliantly for Wextord and they stormed to a 4-0 win over Nenagh, playing a free-flowing, pacy brand of football that won over many admirers. In their next game they proved much too strong for Barna United. winning 6-0, and followed that up with a 2-0 triumph over the hosts SaIthill Devon.

Wexford then faced Ballinasloe in the semi-final and easily advanced to the decider with a 5-0 victory to set up a rematch with Nenagh, who had edged out a strong Donegal side on penalties in the semi-final. Wextord again proved too strong for the Tipperary side, this time coming out on top 3-0. The win was a fitting tribute to the late Jack Carthy who had a huge impact on schoolboys soccer in the county. A minute’s silence was held across the whole tournament in memory of Jack, a testament to the high regard in which he was held in soccer circles the length and breadth of the country. Manager Tommy Byrne was assisted by Martin Lynch, David Byrne and Anne Marie O’Neill.

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U15'S

Wexford can be very proud of this squad of players

The Wexford Schoolboys under 15 squad competed in the Umbro Cup in Galway last week in the under 17 boys tournament. This was a big step up in age group but the Wexford boys gave every thing in their 5 games against all the odds.

They kicked off against Mervue and this was probably their worst performance as they got better as they went along. A 3-2 defeat was hard to take as the lads were the best side but a few bad mistakes did not help. Dale Galway and Alan Rhodes netting for Wexford.

Next they played Bangor City and won 3-1, with goals by Gary Delaney, Timmy Dwyer, and Danny Fitzpatrick. This was a much better performance.

Friday was D-day as they had to play 2 games, one with kick off at 9 30 am against Salthill Devon, with 5 changes and a great team performance, won 2 nil with Timmy Dwyer and Aaron Kinsella scoring. The team were back in the evening for the crunch game against Ballymore from Derry who only needed a draw to reach final of the Plate and the Wexford Boys needed to win to go through.

This game was a battle as the tactics of the Derry team left a lot to be desires, with 7 of their players booked and 1 sent off. The Wexford boys did not get any help from the referee and the game ended 0 0. Wexford had the greater amount of play but could not get the all important goal. The result meant the boys were now playing for 5th or 6th place against our neighbours Kilkenny. The Squad was without 3 players Ciaron Walsh who also had missed the 2 previous games, Timmy Dwyer and Padge Sinnott. Also Stephen Tobin and Alan Whitmore due to knocks were left on bench. After a very good sporting and hard game Kilkenny came out on top with a scoreline of 1-0.
The Squad was James Flood, Ben Duffy, Alan Rhodes, Adam Whitmore, Stephen Kehoe, Aaron Kinsella, Gary Delaney (c), Raju Kumar better known as Chief, Dick Butler, Timmy Dwyer, Stephen Tobin, Danny Fitzpatrick, Syl Byrne, Jack McEvoy, Shane Healy, Padge Sinnott, Gale Galway, Ciaron Walsh. The highlight of the week took place on Friday morning was the appearance of Carl Doyle, in all the rain, who due to illness could not take part but his presence lifted the whole squad.

The Manager P J Murphy, coaches Damian Kenny and Pip Murphy would like to pay tribute to the Squad for all the hard work during the year and the behaviour of all squad for the week was a privilege to be involved with - a great bunch of lads.

P J would also like to thank Martin Healy and Mick Devereux for travelling and being head of two houses with the boys. Also special thanks to physio Paul Harrington for all work he did with boys looking after all injuries and knocks.

Finally to all parents that travelled, a big Thank You for your fantastic support especially the game v Ballymore a night that will never be forgotten. Also to parents of the under 14 squad who came and roared us on it was great, Thank You

P J Murphy

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Penalty heartbreak for Wexford U13s

DUBLIN UMBRO CUP

Dundalk 0 Wexford 0.
(Dundalk won 3-2 on penalties)

WEXFORD’S KENNEDY Cup squad began preparations for this season’s competition with a week long training camp in Curracloe followed by participation in the 2010 Dublin Umbro Cup at the AUL Complex in Clonshaugh, Dublin last weekend.

The team won their way to the final were they met Dundalk in what was a scintillating game of football, played in front of a big attendance. Ben Casserly’s team eventually lost out on penalties with the game finishing scoreless at full time.

The Wexford under-13s will feel disappointed at the manner of this defeat, having carried the amazing performance against FS (Notts Forrest Academy) into this game which they dominated, missing a host of chances to open the scoring.

Dundalk were reduced to long range efforts as Wexford’s defence was solid throughout. Darragh Rossitor and the outstanding Aaron Maddock wreaked havoc on a Dundalk defence who found it difficult to cope with the pace and power of the front two.

Conor Sutton and Paul Brennan’s passing consistently unlocked the Dundalk defence, unleashing Darragh Rossitor’s pace into one on ones with the Dundalk keeper, but the finishing touches weren’t there for Darragh on the day and the keeper pulled off some good saves.

One of Rossitor’s penetrating runs ended in a cross in from the right which was met by Seamus Casey whose scissors kick was cleared of the line with the keeper beaten. Aaron Maddock also created half chances for himself as did the raiding Nathan Brennan.

Conor Sutton got in on the act with a long range effort which was saved by the keeper and Noel Beever came close with a volley which was tipped around for a corner. From the corner kick, Paul Murphy, Paul Brennan and Seamus Casey all had shots at goal in a moment of panic in the Dundalk defence.

The defining moment in the game was when Darragh Rossitor appeared to be taken down in the penalty area. But a free kick outside the area was awarded, amidst protests from players and supporters. Wexford went on to lose the game in the dreaded shootout but they can be more than proud of their performance.

Apart from the final, their 3-1 win over FS (Nottingham Forrest Academy) led to a host of compliments from all corners of the ground. The squad can look back on this competition with their heads held high and will now look forward to their continued preparations for the Kennedy Cup

THE RESULTS:

Group B: Shelbourne FC 1, Wexford 3. Scorers: Aaron Maddock, Darragh Rossitor, Dale Kirwan. Lucan Utd 0, Wexford 1. Scorer: Noel Beaver. FS: 1 Wexford 3. Scorers: Aaron Maddock, Darragh Rossitor, Seamus Casey.

Umbro Cup Final: Dundalk 0-0 Wexford. Dundalk won 3-2 on penalties.

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

Ben