.

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 (at St Pats Boys grounds Carlow January 28th)

Carlow League 0 Wexford Football League 0 (Wexford won 5-4 on pens).

Having lost out on penalties at the same stage last season, Wexford qualified for the semi final of this seasons Oscar Traynor Trophy with a penalty shoot out win over a tenacious Carlow team on Saturday last.

Neither side could find the net in one hundred and ten minutes of football and a penalty shoot out had looked more and more likely the longer the game went on.

Jason Murphy, Paul Rossiter and Leighton Gleeson scored the first three for Wexford while Paul Broderick, Jordan Lowry and Mikey Byrne did likewise for Carlow. Ricky Fox took Wexford’s fourth penalty and saw his effort saved by Dowling. Lee Quai scored for Carlow to put them 4-3 ahead. Keeper Lee Walker then stepped up for Wexford’s fifth penalty and blasted it high into the net for 4 all. His opposite number Gavin Dowling took Carlows fifth penalty but Walker managed to push Dowling’s well struck shot onto the bar and out.

On to sudden death with Chris Kenny next in line for Wexford and he coolly slotted his shot right into the corner. Carlow full back David Maher saw Walker get down smartly to save his shot and put Wexford into the semi final where they’ll be away to the AUL Dublin or Tipperary at the end of February.  

 For Wexford, Lee Walker had a solid game in goal while Lee Chin and Anthony Russell played well in defence. Leighton Gleeson and Chris Kenny had good games in midfield but the attack never got going although Mikey Grangel did improve things with his neat touches when he came on.

For Carlow, Dowling in goal, Haughney and Walker in defence, Mikey Byrne in midfield and Cathal Coughlin all excelled.

Teams: Carlow League: Gavin Dowling, Liam Byrne, David Walker, David Maher, Terence Haughney, Mikey Byrne, Craig Comerford, Lee Murphy, Marc Carpenter, David Lynch, Cathal Coughlin. Subs used: Paul Broderick, Lee Quai, and Jordan Lowry.

Wexford Football League. Lee Walker, Warren Broaders, Lee Chin, Anthony Russell, Paul Rossiter, Chris Kenny, Leighton Gleeson, Kyle Dempsey, Jason Murphy, Paul Murphy, Eugene O Brien. Subs used: Mikey Grangel, Ricky Fox, and Tomas Mahon.

Referee: Ollie Falsey, Assistants: Nicky Marnell and Pat O Connor. Kilkenny Branch ISRS.

Oscar Traynor Trophy at Belvedere Grove, Wexford December 4th:

Wexford Football League 1 Waterford League 0

The Wexford Football League qualified for the Quarter final of this season’s Oscar Traynor Trophy with a richly deserved one nil win over Waterford in North End Utd’s excellent facilities on Sunday. With both sides having beaten Kilkenny in their opening group games, Waterford held the advantage on goal difference, so only a win would see the Wexford men progress.

Wexford had the upper hand from early on and the vital goal arrived after thirty four minutes, when Eugene O Briens cross into the area was deflected by full back Stephen Corcoran into the path of Jason Murphy, and the North End man supplied a cool finish past keeper Walsh to put Wexford one up.

The second half saw the home side continue their dominance, and it was only a combination of bad luck and keeper Walsh’s heroics that saved Waterford from a real pasting.

Waterford did cause minor anxieties in the Wexford defence from a couple of set pieces toward the end of the game, but by and large Wexford coasted to victory.

They played very well on the day, and it was a solid team performance that saw them through against a disappointing Waterford team.

Teams: Wexford: L Walker, P Rossiter, K Kearney, A Russell, L Chin, C Kenny, W Broaders, L Gleeson, J Murphy, K Dempsey, E O Brien. Subs used: T Mahon, M Grangel.

Waterford: A Walsh, P Penkert, S Corcoran, J Walsh, A O Donnell, D Rockett, P Droohan, M Caulfield, P Quilty, S Grant, A Power. Subs used: S Dalton, J Twomey.

Refere: D Donovan: Assistants; M Hogan, M Comiskey. 4th Official: J O Neill (All Wexford branch ISRS)

Oscar Traynor Trophy at Derdimus Pk: October 9th 2011

Kilkenny League 2 Wexford Fball Lge 3

Wexford began this seasons Oscar Traynor campaign with a hard fought 3-2 over Kilkenny in Derdimus Park Kilkenny on Sunday. A strong crossfield wind and a bumpy pitch made for difficult conditions for both sides.

After surviving a few early scares, Wexford took the lead after 16 minutes when Warren Broaders corner kick was headed powerfully home by team captain, Leighton Gleeson.  With 28 minutes gone, Wexford scored a second goal courtesy of Eugene O Brien who finished with aplomb after good work by Keith “Nobby” Kearney. Two nil at the break and it seemed all too easy.

Having made a double substitution at half time, Kilkenny battered the Wexford boys right from the restart, and after 55 minutes pulled one back when Michael Comerford headed in a cross from the right wing. Ten minute later following relentless pressure, they deservedly levelled when substitute Damien Raggets shot was adjudged to have crossed the line.  2-2 and everything to play for.

On 69 minutes however, a sweeping Wexford move saw Eugene O Brien lay back an inviting ball to clubmate Leighton Gleeson, who smashed a glorious 25 yarder into the top corner. What a goal, fit to win any match and it proved to be the decisive score in this encounter. The 2010 winners saw out the rest of the game without too many scares.

Kilkenny: Graham Doyle, Jonny Earls, James Kelly, Michael Falsey, Lee Dekaney, Declan McQuillan, Chris Whearty, Michael Comerford, Joseph Mulcahy, Aidan Keenan, Ger Hayes. Subs used: Damien Ragget, Stephen Connelly and Jamie Owens.

Wexford:Lee Walker, Warren Broaders, Keith Kearney, Anthony Russell, Lee Chin, Tomas Mahon, Leighton Gleeson, Eugene O Brien, Michael Grangel, Jason Murphy, Ricky Fox. Subs used: Craig McGuire, Anthony O Connor and Dylan Mernagh.

Referee: Nicky Marnell, Assistants: Owen Walsh and Pat O Connor. (Kilkenny branch ISRS).