North End (Leinster Senior Cup)

Hard-fought game in Wexford today just shaded by the Youths on penos after a dramatic 120 minutes. Youths had a few players back from injury and went with Graham Doyle, Conor Whittle, Lee Grace, Stephen Last, Craig McCabe, Drukie Drohan, Eric Molloy, Peter Higgins, Craig Wall, Any Mulligan and with Danny Furlong up front. On a sticky pitch after the rain and in a game where your safety was threatened if you dwelt on the ball, good play was at a premium from both sides, particularly in the first half. After four minutes, Danny Furlong had a free tipped over the bar for a corner by Lee Walker in the NE goal. With a half-hour gone, NE's Shane Dempsey had a shot on target but it went straight to Graham Doyle at an easy catching height. Yellow cards were being flashed regularly by the ever-dependable Sean Grant and first half finished on a 0-0 scoreline with neither keeper being troubled to any extent.

Second half was more open as both teams started to lose a bit of pace on the heavy pitch. On 12 minutes, NE went ahead when the excellent Paul Murphy knocked the ball down to Adam Beary whose first-time effort went off the crossbar and in to put NE one ahead. NE then conceded a lot of space and invited the Youths to go at them and it nearly worked. On the quarter-hour, Walker had to work hard to keep out a Jonny Bonner effort from 35 yards out. With 17 minutes to go in the game, Walker then had to stretch high to push away a deflected shot from the Youths. With eight minutes to go, Adam Beary for NE nearly flicked home for a second goal from a NE corner but it was blocked on the line. Then on the 90 minutes, Gary Dempsey for NE took down Peter Higgins on a mazy run inside the box and referee Grant awarded a peno to the Youths. This was struck home by Eric Molloy to bring the tie to 1-1. Immediately after, NE were reduced to ten men when their sub got a second yellow for a tackle to bring the game to extra-time.

With the man advantage, Youths pressed hard in the first extra-time period and nearly scored when NE's Nobby Kearney just cleared his own goal with a clearance following a cross from Andy Mulligan. Jonny Bonner then hit the crossbar after a shot which touched Lee Walker's fingertips but the first period of extra-time ended with game still tied at 1-1. Sean Grant can never be accused of letting dissent go, and he flashed a second yellow to NE's Paul Murphy early in the second period of extra-time to bring NE down to nine. Despite this, NE managed to score again when a long free-kick into the Youth's box was headed on by their tall sub and Jay Murphy blasted it home for 2-1 to NE. Youths applied all the pressure from then on and again drew level in the last minute of extra-time when a ball into the NE penalty area wasn't cleared and Andy Mulligan stabbed it home for 2-2. Youth's Craig Wall kicked the ball away in celebration and got a second yellow to bring the game to 10 against 9.

Graham Doyle always looked the more likely to win the penalty saving contest and kept out two efforts while Youths only missed one when Eric Molloy hit the bar to leave the Youths winners on a 4-3 penalty scoreline. As you would expect, Youths looked like they needed the game, but Danny Furlong did well in the first half before he came off and Drukie Drohan did well on the wing before having to retire with cramp. Jonny Bonner came on at the start of the second period and bossed the ball impressively and could easily start the first league-game. For NE, Paul Murphy was very impressive up front before getting sent off while Deckie Downes and especially Robin Dempsey marshalled everything very well in the middle of their back four. 2-2 at the end of extra-time and 4-3 to the Youths on penalties. About 600 at it, I would guess.

Jonny Bonner is a real ball playing creative midfielder. Could work very well in Wexford system. He has an awful habit of completely going missing in games but real quality when he's on form.

Nigel

Hopefully you're right. Looked to be able to pass the ball about a bit and might do well in what is otherwise a very energetic midfield.

its a surprise that Gary Dempsey still is playing for North End and not playing for the loi what was his reasons?

Marty

Gary confirmed on his Twitter account at the end of last season that he was retiring as his kids were growing up and with other commitments he hadn't the time to give to it any more, and that it was time to go back playing with his mates.