Waterford

[ForzaForth]

With so many players missing, the South-East Derby seemed a tricky proposition for the Youths but ultimately proved not to be as a high tempo home side blew away a feeble effort by the Blues who had three in Korea themselves. With Lasty, Eric, Andy, Deano and Peter in Korea and Rocks injured, Shane Keegan went with Graham in goal, Craig McC, Gary, Lee, Ryan Delaney, John Peare, Craig W., Hopper Kenny, Jimmy and with Conor and Danny up front. Youths started brightly, got an early score and never looked back. On two minutes, Danny was set up by Conor English but was ruled offside. On 8 minutes, Waterford couldn't clear their lines at the back, and the ball was poked through for Danny who finished easily past Birdsall in the Waterford goal for 1-0. After 18 minutes, Waterford had their first decent effort on target by Reidy but it resulted in a comfortable save for Graham. Around the 25 minute mark, the Blues had their best spell until the end of the game when a Blues attacker managed to get past Lee Grace and have a good effort on target, but Graham managed to tip it over for a corner. The ref. gave Lee a yellow for this attempted challenge. On 28 minutes, Hopper got a yellow for a tackle and, from the free-kick, the tall Dineen for the Blues headed over at the far post.

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On the half-hour mark, Danny set up John Peare down the right with a neat pass, but Birdsall managed to push away Peare's effort with a dramatic dive. Wexford then fashioned two more decent chances before, on the 34 minute mark, Craig Wall found John Peare in space with a lovely pass and he managed to lob the advancing Birdsall with a good finish for 2-0. Two minutes later, a hand on the back of Conor English sent him tumbling inside the Blues area which was given as a peno by a flagging linesman and Danny sent Birdsall the wrong way for 3-0. Game then meandered until half-time with Waterford unable to create any impression against a solid back four of Wexford and dominant midfield with Craig Wall and Hopper Kenny outstanding to leave the home side very comfortable at 3-0 at half-time.

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The second period was only two minutes old when Danny sent Jimmy Dermody free down the left with a neat pass and he rifled a shot past Birdsall from not an easy angle to put the home side 4-0 up. Chances then fell to Danny and Jimmy but neither could keep them on target when, on the 18th minute, Waterford had a rare effort on goal when Glen Hawe sent a snap shot about a foot wide of the post. John Peare then had another effort blocked by Birdsall and then, with 28 minutes gone, McAlavey made Graham work in the Youth's goal with a decent shot from 25 yards out, but Graham was able to push it away. With 15 to go, David Doyle and Paul Brennan came on for Hopper Kenny and Lee Grace whilst Thomas Croke came on for Waterford and looked immediately as if he should have started by providing some control in midfield. With seven to go Graham got down well to save at Pender's feet for Waterford whilst very late sub. for the Youths was Conor Sutton. Final act was yellow card for Ethan Boyle and match finished on 4-0 scoreline for the Youths.

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Best for the Youths was Danny Furlong who oozed class up front, while Craig Wall was a dynamo in midfield and Ryan Delaney and Jimmy Dermody did well down the left-hand side. Very special word, too, for Hopper Kenny who made his return from junior football look more than easy with an abundance of controlled passing, strength and aggression in midfield. For Waterford, they looked bereft of leaders with only Ethan Boyle really shining and Thomas Croke when he came on. 4-0 at full-time with about 550 at the match.