Wexford's bid for All-Ireland glory is ended
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WEXFORD MADE their exit from this season's Inter-League Trophy when they went down by the only goal in their clash with last season's winners of the cup in Clonshaugh on Saturday last.
Though they dominated much of the match, Wexford's failure to take at least three great goalscoring chances in the opening half was to cost them dear.
On a very tight pitch, Wexford started well and after 15 minutes Shane Sinnotts' pass put Muzzi Mullen in the clear but the home 'keeper, David Doyle, made a great stop with an outstretched leg to deny Wexford.
The A.U.L. mounted their only attack of note in the first-half after 21 minutes when a fine cross from Geoff Flood was volleyed just wide by Craig Goonery.
On the half hour, Wexford were to spurn another good chance when Jimmy Keohane shot straight at the 'keeper after good work down the left from substitute Robert Dempsey.
After 40 minutes, the best chance of the match came when Daragh McDonald's pinpoint cross was met by the unmarked Kevin Rowe who seemed certain to open the scoring, but his weak header was somehow scrambled to safety by the home defence.
The start of the second-half was rather scrappy, and the home side got the vital breakthrough on 56 minutes when a ball that should have been easily dealt with by the Wexford defence fell to substitute Stephen Rafferty, who rifled home a great shot from the edge of the penalty area.
This spurred Wexford into action and they went close several times, with Robert Dempsey hitting the woodwork on 67 minutes with a fine effort, but that was as close as they got to getting an equaliser.
The A.U.L. are proving to be a real bogey team for Wexford, as this is the third time that they've knocked us out of this competition.
Wexford's best performers were the tireless Shane Sinnott and substitute Robert Dempsey.
- Mick Wallace
