IT Carlow (Friendly)

Interesting, if low key, session on Carlow's all weather pitch tonight between a Wexford XI and the home team which eventually ended 2-1 in favour of IT Carlow after the usual myriad of substitutions. Wexford started with Graham in goal, a back four of (unknown), Craig McCabe, Ryan Delaney, Shane Nolan, a midfield two of Aaron Brilly and Ben Ryan and with Rocks Keenan, Graham Delaney, Danny Fitzpatrick and Danny Furlong all looking to attack.

Missed the start as it commenced at seven pm and Carlow were one up at that stage and looking sharper in their passing against a Wexford side that understandably looked a bit rusty and who tended to over-hit the ball down the middle of the pitch. With fifteen gone, Graham did well to push a low shot away for a corner after a Carlow forward had been put in the clear. On the half-hour, a Carlow forward was found free beyond the far post, but his header was put wide. Wexford then started to improve as they began to find Danny Furlong with the ball to his feet and with Shane Nolan and Rocks doing well down the left.

With seven minutes to go in the half, Shane Nolan took a free which rebounded back to him and he then pulled his second effort slightly wide. Two later, Ben Ryan smacked another free against the post with the Carlow keeper beaten. Right on the half-time whistle, Wexford won a corner which was taken by Shane Nolan and it was allowed travel a long way to let Danny Furlong side-foot it home inside the six yard box for 1-1 at half-time. Wexford made at least six changes at half-time with Stephen Last and Rocks moving into the middle of the back four and with Daragh Walshe, Jimmy Dermody, Peter Higgins and two further guests coming on, which included a useful-looking "Duxey". The changes seemed to improve Wexford's pace and Daragh looked particularly lively up front. After ten, Daragh had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. With fifteen gone, Wexford gave the ball away in their own half and a Carlow forward clipped the top of the crossbar with a good effort. A minute later, Ben seemed to do an ankle as he caught his studs in the artificial turf and was replaced by Daryl Power. Rocks then had two free headers from set pieces at the far post but the keeper managed to deflect the first with his foot over his own cross-bar while the second went wide. With twenty to go, Brandon O'Callaghan replaced Graham in goal who had had little to do in the second half. With fifteen to go, a Carlow forward was put in the clear and while Brandon did well to keep the first effort out, he couldn't stop the rebound being lifted over him for 2-1 to Carlow. Brandon also seemed to injure himself with the first stop with another studs in turf incident. Last chance fell to Daragh who had a good volley from twenty out which flashed just over. Aaron Brilly also cane back on to fill in at right back while Danny Furlong came on again for the last ten minutes or so.

Best for Wexford were Rocks who looked awesome in the air when he went centre-half and at set-pieces while Stephen Last looks a stroller beside him. Jimmy Dermody and Shane Nolan were impressive as fulls, while Daragh and Danny looks a decent partnership up front. Probably need Eric Molloy and Craig Wall to fill in at centre-mid and Craig looks to be the key player for us this year if he can stay injury-free. 2-1 to Carlow at full time.