Wexford FC v Killester (FAI Cup)

It took Wexford until the second half to emphasize the difference in levels as they got the better of Killester in a well-contested FAI cup-tie in Hadden Park, Killester this afternoon. Wexford were missing Conor Crowley and Kyle Robinson, both suspended, and started with Jimmy, Kevin, Lorcan, Paul, Thomas, Harry, Karl F, Evan, Karl M, Jack D and Jack M. It got worse for Wexford in the first minute when their talisman up front, Jack Doherty, got a shot away to stretch ex-Wexford keeper, Jack Lydon in the Killester goal and then immediately crumple to the ground with what looked like a nasty knee injury. Jack Doherty was obviously unable to continue and was immediately replaced by Jack Connolly as Wexford manager, Ian Ryan, rejigged his formation. Wexford probably dominated the first two-thirds of the pitch thereafter in the first period as Killester conceded space but Killester undoubtedly showed they could threaten the Wexford goal once they worked the ball into the Wexford half. On 12 minutes, a good Killester break resulted in a Killester shot which clipped the top of the Wexford crossbar and went over. Wexford then created two good chances when Jack Moylan firstly dragged a shot a yard wide of the Killester far post after good work down Wexford’s right. A minute later, Jack Lydon saved really well in the Killester goal with his legs from a free header by Wexford’s Harry Groome. It was more or less nip and tuck for the remainder of the half with both sides going reasonably close to scoring but without drawing either keeper into dramatics at either end of the pitch. 0-0 at half-time.

Wexford manager, Ian Ryan, decided to put Wexford onto a more offensive path in the second half and also up the tempo as he introduced both Paul Fox and U19 striker, Tyler Dunphy, at half-time. It paid dividends for Wexford as they took control of the second half. Jack Moylan did well early on as he scraped the outside of the Killester far post with a shot from an acute angle. The increased activity up front by Wexford paid dividends on 12 minutes when pressure from Evan Farrell and Tyler Dunphy forced a mistake in the Killester defence with Evan squaring for Tyler to finish well for 1-0 to Wexford. The cup-tie was settled on 20 minutes when the Killester No. 5 put in a mad thigh-high tackle on Evan Farrell around the half-way line and couldn’t dispute the showing of a straight red card to bring Killester down to ten players. This was followed by Paul Fox setting up Karl Manahan to curl a shot into Jack Lydon’s top corner for 2-0 to Wexford and the tie settled. Subs for Wexford as the game closed were Cian Kelly and Nicky Leonard with Tyler Dunphy hitting the cross-bar late on for Wexford. Best for Wexford on a good day were Karl Manahan who dominated for Wexford in midfield, Evan Farrell who put in trojan work up front and subs Paul Fox and Tyler Dunphy with the latter looking particularly impressive than his U19 status would suggest with his ability to engage with his defensive marker and use the ball with purpose during his stint up front. 2-0 to Wexford at full-time.