Douglas Hall (Cup)

Draw a reasonable result in Cork today as it looked for a while as if the Youths might pay for putting out mainly a reserve side. On a hard bouncy pitch, Youths started with Graham, Clarkey, Scally, Murt, Corkey, Eric, Brian, Crokey, Yeatsy, Aidan and Chris up front. First half was full of endeavour from both sides but with little sparkle and chances were scarce. After two, DH picked up a yellow for a tackle on Clarkey. A minute later, the DH 8 got a shot on target which was saved low down by Graham. After 15, DH picked up another yellow for a tackle. Just after 25, Clarkey also picked up a yellow and, with five to go, DH got another shot away which was also saved low down by Graham. First half finished 0-0 and Wexford hadn't done much to trouble the DH keeper.

Second half proved to be much better as it benefited from an early goal. After two minutes, Crokey headed an easy one over the bar from six out after a good cross by Brian Nolan. DH then went up the pitch and scored when a bouncing cross from the right was volleyed home nicely by the DH forward on the turn from fifteen out to give Graham no chance. Wexford reacted to the goal and had a very good spell for the next twenty minutes or so. After 12, Crokey had a free kick which went over the wall and just over the bar. After fifteen, Deano came on for Chris and went wide left with Aidan going up front. With twenty gone, Deano's cross from the left was met by Aidan with a volley which the DH keeper did well to turn away for a corner. Just halfway through thehalf Shane Nolan came on for Yeatsy and Clarkey had a shot which was pushed away for a corner. That corner ended with Aidan heading just over when well-placed with the Wexford mentors suspecting that DH might be vulnerable in the air at the back as Aidan was used constantly as the target-man from then on. DH then picked up another yellow and Corkey also got a yellow for a tackle.

With about ten to go, Shane Nolan showed some fancy footwork to get into the DH box and got taken down just inside the line for a peno. Deano put it top right to give the DH keeper no chance for 1-1. DH then rallied in last few minutes and Graham had to push a dangerous cross away and then get down very smartly to stop a corner being stabbed home from a corner by a DH forward. 1-1 at full-time after a match which wasn't the most skilful but which showed that both sides were very much committed. Best for the Youths were Brian Nolan and Crokey in the middle while Aidan Keenan showed again that he really commands in the air up front against most defences. Clarkey again looked good going forward but needs to tighten up as a defender while Graham was kept busy enough between the sticks for the Youths. DH's 11 looked the best of the home team's useful forwards (have no names available as I don't think there was any public announcement of the teams).

Any idea how strong a side Youths will put out for the replay?

El Bettor

Not much of an idea. We have a home match against Athlone on Friday and I reckon Keegan is treating that one as the priority.