Limerick

[ForzaForth]

Execellent effort from Wexford to get the three points in Jackman Park tonight although it probably needed the sending-off of Purcell for the home side to swing the game in favour of the Youths. Keegan made two changes at full-back for the Youths and started with Graham, Clarkey, Jamie, CJ, Jimmy, Rocks, Patsy, Crokey, Shane, Eric and with Danny up front. Limerick started well and played some good football. After two, Limerick had a virtually free header from a cross but it was miscued. After five, Behan was sent clear down the right but the angle was getting tighter all the time and he shot wide. After eight, Collins was sent free down the right again but this tome Graham was able to save with his legs. Wexford's first half-chance came after ten when a bad backpass lead to a fifty-fifty tackle between Danny and Barry Ryan but the big Limerick keeper won. Three later, Graham again had to block an effort by Kelly with his legs after a good Limerick move. After 23 minutes, Purcell and Rocks had a clash of heads after an aerial challenge and, after a number of minutes, Rocks was able to get up and walk to the dressing rooms and was immediately replaced by Deano. Rocks looked ok after the match so nothing permanent I would say. Just before the half-hour, Limerick got a peno as a corner was sent in for what was presumably obstruction. Tracey sent Graham the wrong way for 1-0 to the home side and a yellow flashed at some Wexford defender.

[ForzaForth]

Eric then had a shot deflected for a corner for Wexford and, immediately after, Shane latched onto a ball in midfield and was the object of a lunging tackle from Purcell which the ref. considered merited a straight red. Limerick's replacement defender, Guthrie than came on for Collins with the home side down to ten men. Six minutes of injury time were played with Danny lobbing Ryan but his effort going wide and Graham blocking yet another Limerick effort with his legs during the extra minutes. 1-0 to the home side at the break with the crowd called at 1,386. Second half began with Dave Ryan coming on for Barry Ryan in goal for Limerick. However, the new keeper's first job was to pick the ball out of the net after Deano sent in a perfect cross and Patsy headed home for 1-1. Announcer called it as Danny but pretty sure it was Patsy.

[ForzaForth]

Gane opened up after that with both sides prepared to attack at every opportunity. Jimmy had an effort from 25 yards out just over and, after ten, CJ picked up a yellow for a tackle. After 15 minutes, Limerick got another shot on target but Graham was able to get down to grab it. Three later, A wexford attack lead to a shot which deflected off a Limerick defender and it fell straight to Danny centrally and he slotted it past Ryan with ease for 2-1 to the Youths. Judge then came on for McGann for Limerick and GUthrie had a header from corner cleared off the line with Graham beaten. After 27, Behan was able to make contact with a low Limerick cross but his flick went just wide. Just after the half-hour, Brosnan came on for Behan for Limerick. Graham than had to punch away a good Limerick effort which was going into the top corner.

[ForzaForth]

The impressive right back for Limerick, Kelly, then picked up the home side's second red of the night for a tackle on Patsy but it looked harsh to me with both meeting the ball at the same time in reasonable challenges from both players. Brian and Joey then came on for Shane and Eric. A short backpass by Limerick was then latched onto by Patsy and gave Danny the simplest of finishes for Danny's second goal of the night and 3-1 to Wexford. Danny than had another one-on-one with Ryan to get his hat-trick right at the end but couldn't beat Ryan at his near-post. Game then finished with 3-1 to Wexford. Best for Wexford on the night were CJ, Danny and Patsy with Graham showing that he's one of the best shot-stoppers in the Division with his display between the sticks. From Limerick, was very impressed with Behan - best I've seen him play - while Brosnan looked lively when he came on but Limerick's defence badly missed Purcell once he went off. 3-1 to Wexford at full-time and fourth place secured. Game finished with medal presentation to Limerick's players and cup.

[Sunny Jim]

Thanks for the reports all season Forza. Your efforts are appreciated.