Limerick

[ForzaForth]

All three points for the visitors in Ferrycarrig tonight, and deservedly so, as Limerick playing a very direct style, applied the pressure for long periods and restricted Wexford to very little going forward. Youths started with the same eleven as against Athlone with Graham, Brian, Jamie, CJ, Jimmy, Aidan, Shane D., Craig, Deano and Danny and Tom up front. First ten minutes were pretty undistinguished, but gradually Limerick got on top as the half progressed. After ten, a LImerick freekick from outside the box was well over and, five later, Graham pushed out a Limerick header from a corner. With 25 gone, CJ put a clearance away for a corner after a dangerous low cross from the right. With the half-hour gone, Brian Nolan picked up a yellow for a tackle. With ten to go, CJ limped off in a critical loss for Wexford as the defence never seemed quite as steady onwards even though his replacement, James Scallan, did well from then on. WExford's only real chance came with five to go when Danny couldn't get a clean shot away after being set up by Deano and it trickled into Dave Ryan's hands in the Limerick goal. Limerick's best chance came two later when Brosnan blazed over from fifteen out when set up by a low cross from the left but it demonstrated once again the difficulty in getting controlled shots away on hard pitches. Nil-nil at half-time with not much to excite the approx. 480 at the match.

[ForzaForth]

Second half more or less followed the pattern of the first with Limerick intent on getting the ball into the box at the earlies opportunity, with the exception perhaps of Tracy at left back for Limerick who threatened with the ball at his feet. After six, Limerick had a header just over and, after ten, Graham pushed another header away for a corner. Three later, WExford had a header just wide when perhaps the forward could have done better. Paudie Quinn came on for Coughlan for Limerick after 17 minutes. With twenty gone, Tom had a reasonable effort at a volley from twenty out just wide and TRacey picked up a yellow for a tackle on Shane Dempsey.

[ForzaForth]

On twenty-five, Gary Sheahan came on for Limerick (good to see him back on a pitch) and immediately Limerick scored as a corner fromthe right reached Gaffney in the box and his first-time volley from about eight out gave Graham no chance for 1-0 to Limerick. Behan then picked up a yellow and, with ten to go, Eric Molloy came on for Wexford with Wexford going three at the back with Jimmy going off as Wexford tried to push forward.

[ForzaForth]

However, although Wexford got a couple of corners right at the end, nothing came of them and it ended up as a 1-0 to Limerick. Best for Wexford were the centre-halves of Jamie, CJ before he went off and James Scallan while only Danny and Deano looked threatening going forward. Very little flowing football from either side on a hard pitch that seemed to be sanded but Limerick defintely had the ball in Wexford's own third for long periods, aided by Gaffney's Delap-style long throws. About 480 at it with Tracey and Purcell looking the best for the visitors.

[cornflakes]

Ya we offered very little going forward and Limerick deserved there win. It will be a battle between them and Longford for top spot. Big game next week, hopefully we can get back to winning ways