Monaghan

[ForzaForth]

No points for the Youths in Monaghan today but a decent effort nevertheless in which they kept the Mons subdued for long periods and only conceded the killer second goal with ten minutes to go. Noel made a number of changes from the team which started against Athlone and began with Packie, Shane N., Mark, Murt, James, Grinny, Tom, Shane D., Danny, Ben and Darragh up front on his own. Danny got the first of a number of speculative shots away after five but it went straight to Sava in the Mons goal. After seven, Mons should have scored when O'Brien got clear on the left but he lifted the ball over Packie and put it wide of the post. However, an identical chance fell to O'Brien three minutes later, this time more centrally, and he pushed it past Packie for 1-0 to the home team. Wexford replied with a couple of good efforts when Sava spilt a good effort by Danny from outside the box and then Tom flicked at a cross from the left but it went just outside the far post.

[ForzaForth]

Game entered a quiet period thereafter with a couple of decent chances falling to the Mons, including a header just wide from a cross and a decent move down the right which Mark had to block bravely for a corner. However, Wexford had a good finish to the half and forced the Mons to pick up two yellow cards and then a Mons handball just outside the box. The resulting free was squared to Danny whose shot was blocked away for a corner. O'Brien then had a good chance for the Mons right on half-time when a cross found him in the clear beyond the far post but his tame effort was grabbed easily by Packie for 1-0 to the home side at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Second-half started on a high with ForzaForth announced as the winner of the half-time raffle (!) and a sub for either side - Isichei coming on for Monaghan and Karl for Grinny for the Youths. However, the second half proved generally a dull affair with Karl tightening up the Youths defence alongside Murt and both sides cancelling each other out. After five, Isichei had a difficult chance when he couldn't keep a stretching volley from beyond the far post on target. After twenty-five, Byrne came on for Fabio O'Brien for the Mons. With fifteen to go, Wexford got their half-chance to equlaise when a good move put Shane D. clear beyond the right hand post about fifteen out, but his first-time effort was directed straight at Sava and held easily. With ten to go, Mons picked up the second when Reilly got on the ball about twenty-five out and wasn't closed down. He drilled a low shot which found the net to Packie's left for a game-over 2-0 lead to the Mons. Late subs were Byrne II for Keegan for the Mons and Eoin Kinsella for Tom Elmes for the Youths.

[ForzaForth]

Best for Wexford after a good effort all over the pitch were Shane and Danny in midfield and Murt and Karl in defence after Karl had come on at half-time. James Darmody again impressed at left back and looks a bit of a find. However, Darragh who worked hard was well marshalled by the tall Byrne at centre-half for the Mons and this kept Wexford's chances to a minimum while Quinn was very industrious for the Mons in their midfield. 2-0 for the home side at full time.