Wexford FC v Cabinteely (FAI Cup)

More signs of an encouraging upturn in fortunes for Wexford under new manager, Ian Ryan, as they got past Cabinteely handily enough in Ferrycarrig tonight largely due to the quality of the home side’s forward play. With Paul Fox suspended, Wexford started with Jimmy, Paul, Lorcan, Kevin, Karl F, Cian, Jack M, Jack D, Anto, Conor and Kyle. Wexford’s Jack Doherty had a great chance early on three minutes when he had a left-footed volley from inside Cabo’s penalty area, but he couldn’t keep it on target. Cabo then had a decent spell with a header which was an easy catch for Jimmy Corcoran in the Wexford goal and a shot which was straight at Jimmy in the middle of the goal. This was followed by a good volley from distance by Kieran Marty Waters, but it sailed a yard over Wexford’s crossbar. With 28 minutes gone, Kyle Robinson for Wexford had a massive chance at Cabo’s far post but he couldn’t keep it on target. Wexford’s purple patch then occurred mainly through the excellent play of Jack Doherty who’s becoming a privilege to watch at this stage with his ability to cause problems for defenders. Firstly, he got control of a ball which he had no right to well inside the Cabo half, turned the too-tight defender and crossed to let Kyle Robinson knock it home just before Michael Quinn (Niall’s son) in the Cabo goal could push it away. 1-0 to Wexford. Within a few minutes it was 2-0 when a very creative one-two between Jack Doherty and Jack Moylan put the latter in the clear and not a lot of contact from the Cabo defender on the wrong side inside their area forced the peno for Wexford. This was converted by Jack Doherty and it was 2-0. It soon became three when another of Wexford’s quality forwards, Jack Moylan, ghosted through the Cabo defence and slotted it past Quinn to make it 3-0. 3-0 at half-time and Wexford already looked home and hosed.

Cabo brought on four subs at the start of the second half and they upped their game, but they never really looked like scoring with anything of use capably handled by an excellent Jimmy Corcoran in the Wexford goal. In contrast, Wexford still threatened anytime they got the ball down inside the Cabo half with some slick passing and had three goals ruled out for offside as too eager forwards went that second too early to latch onto quality through-balls. Subs for Wexford during this half included Karl Manahan, Harry Groome, Evan Farrell, Dan Dobbin and Thomas Considine. So, 3-0 at full-time and a deserved win by Wexford. Been a while since the home team and fans have applauded each other in mutual appreciation in Ferrycarrig. Ian Ryan apparently signed his contract after the game and it might be Wexford’s best bit of business for a while with Lorcan Fitzgerald also looking a fantastic assistant/coach with the way he bonds with, and demands a lot from, the Wexford players.