Re-jigged young guns put in a great performance
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Wednesday March 17 2010
THE WEXFORD Youths' first home League of Ireland fixture of the season against Shelbourne turned out to be an exciting affair - a good game of football, a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon, the Alba restaurant in Enniscorthy moved to Ferrycarrig for the day, and the result was a good one.
Despite the absence of two of our more experienced players, David Breen and Anthony Wolfe, along with the suspension of Warren Broaders, the re-jigged Youths put in a great performance.
Packie Holden was beaten once but broke Shelbourne hearts for the rest of the game with a string of world class saves. Chris Kenny, Dean Broaders, Anthony Russell and Patsy Malone excelled in the new-look defence, while the kids in the middle - Jimmy Keohane, Shane Sinnott, Shane Dempsey and Lee Aust - held their own against the illustrious opponents, with Dempsey looking the best player on the park.
Up front, Gary Sheahan and Danny Furlong looked the business and could prove one of the best striking partnerships in the league this season. Danny was twice denied by the Shels 'keeper when put through on goal, but his overall performance was excellent and it's only a matter of time before he starts hitting the net for fun, just like the Danny from his Under-18 days.
More kids joined the fray as substitutes: Muzzi Mullen, Aidan McCann and John Byrne. It was great to hear the Shels manager, Dermot Keely, complain in the post-match interview that his professional group of players couldn't beat a bunch of kids from Wexford - music to my ears.
Anyone who cares to come and enjoy the fare at our next home game on Sunday, March 28, against Monaghan United and have lunch while watching the game, should book with Antonio at 087-2834985, and our excellent award-winning new chef, Carlos, will be plying his trade in the kitchen.
On Saturday, our 18s went down 5-1 to Shelbourne in the Leinster Youth Cup - a disappointment that I'm not going to try to put words to. There are many reasons why things didn't work out for the Under-18s this season and I must accept the major responsibility.
I do feel let down by some, but such is life, and I blame myself more than anyone. I intend to learn my lessons from the last two seasons and start afresh with a new group of players in the new season.
I promise to work endlessly in my endeavour to develop a group of players with all the right credentials, the hunger to win and the honesty to make it happen.
