SD Galway

[ForzaForth]

Last-gasp equaliser by the home side meant that Wexford only secured one point when it seemed they had done enough to get all three in what was a lively and entertaining match in Drom tonight. Wexford kept the same 4-1-4-1 shape as had started against Waterford but made a number of changes with Graham, Shane D. in front of a back four of Clarkey, Jamie, CJ and Corkey, a midfield of Eric, Craig, Crokey and Joey Mulcahy and Rocks up front on his own. Wexford, playing with the breeze, scored with virtually their first attack when a free from the left leaked out beyond the far post and when it was clipped back into the box, Rocks put in a looping header inside the right-hand post to give the SD keeper no chance. After five, the useful Mulcahy was put clear down the right by Shane Dempsey but the SD keeper managed to block his effort away. After ten, a classic refereeing moment from the First Division when Mulcahy was sent free down the right again, and blasted a shot off the inside of the post which came out and went spinning for a goal-kick beyond the other post. Amazingly, the ref gave a goal to Wexford and only changed his mind when the SD players "persuaded" him to have a word with the assistant. After 13, SD got their first shot away from just inside the box which Graham grabbed at the second attempt.

[ForzaForth]

SD then had a reasonable spell and, after 23, CJ had to dive in to stop a good chance for SD which went away for a corner but which resulted in a thigh injury for the Youths defender. Two minutes later, SD were presented with another chance when a Youths defender tried to run the ball out for a goal-kick but the SD attacker managed to cross it towards the near post where it was blasted just wide by the lively Curran up front for SD. With a few minutes to go, Shane D. was set up by Rocks for a clear shot outside the box but it went over from 25 out. Craig then picked up a yellow for kicking the ball away and then, in the last minute of the half, a free-kick wide left by SD was headed home well by Curran who got clear with some nice movement at the far post for a 1-1 score at half-time which was a reasonable reflection of the game.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford played better against the breeze in the second half as the ball tended not to run away so quickly. The half started with Scally coming on for CJ who was unable to come out for the second period due to his injury. After two minutes, Curran was able to latch onto a long-ball but, with only Graham to beat, shot it tamely into his hands. After five minutes, Craig also got through for the Youths but again miscued it into the SD keeper's hands. After ten, SD lost the ball badly in their own third and Rocks set up Mulcahy who steered it neatly low right into the bottom corner for 2-1 to Wexford. With 15 gone, Danny came on for Crokey and Eric had another two efforts which the SD keeper managed to block away on both occasions. SD brought on Meehan and Conlon after twenty minutes and ten later, Shane D. picked up a yellow for dissent and Patsy came on for Eric. With five to go, Curran got away a snap-shot for SD which Graham managed to grab at the second attempt. Curran followed this by going off injured with OReilly coming on in his place and the three points looked secure for the Youths as all the SD threat had come from Curran. With five to go, Graham grabbed an SD free-kick at the second attempt and Quinlan got a yellow for a bad tackle on Craig who was running through the SD defence in possession.

[ForzaForth]

However, in the final minute of injury time, OReilly managed to latch onto what looked like a nothing long-ball from SD out of defence and stabbed it low past Graham for the equaliser for the home side. Refereee blew the game up almost immediately for 2-2 and a point apiece. Wexford will rue their failure to hold on but the luck generally seems to be against them in the current round of matches. Best for Wexford were probably Shane D. and Jamie. Mulcahy looks a handy addition to the squad and may offer even more if he can reach higher levels of fitness. SD worked hard all through the match and had a very useful player in Curran up front. 2-2 at full time.

[Youths4Ever]

Did anyone else think the ref was even more inconsistent that usual. A few decisions baffled me to say the least. Craig Wall got booked for kicking the ball away yet Enda Curran had a shot at Graham after the whistle gone and no card. Also SD took a throw from the wrong place and got to retake it, Wexford took one from wrong place and SD where awarded the throw. Was this the ref’s first LOI game as I don’t remember seeing his name before. Not blaming him for Wexford throwing three points away but it is very frustrating to see such inconsistent decisions in one game mind you should be used to it by now.

[ForzaForth]

Agreed, Youths4ever. Don't think it was the ref's finest display in Drom. Think I've seen him (Pieper ?) before, though.