Expected result but more than a bit of encouragement from Wexford’s performance tonight particularly in the first half as they demonstrated the rudiments of a system which suits the resources we have available. Wexford started with Corey, Stephen, Dave, Darryl, Andy, Conor, Shane, Paddy, Sean, Crokey and with Emmet up front. Essentially a very young team with a good amount of pace in the side, Wexford applied a high press from the start and it put Longford under some pressure although Longford did look dangerous when they broke free from the press, with Zambra and particularly Jack Doherty prominent for the away side. Crokey for Wexford had an early shot which Steacy in the Longford goal made look easy while, on one of their breaks, Dean Byrne of Longford side-footed a good chance over the Wexford cross-bar. Paddy Cahill of Wexford picked up an early yellow and was followed into the ref’s book by a number of other Wexford players as the match progressed. Wexford’s Shane Griffin had a shot deflected for a Wexford corner which resulted in the tall Dave Corish having a header over the Longford bar. The goal for Longford then came when the Wexford defence allowed Dean Byrne of Longford far too much space and he picked his spot off the far post and in to give Corey Chambers no chance. Crokey for Wexford had a lob from a Wexford corner grabbed cleanly by Steacy and right at the end of the half, Dean Zambra had a shot over the Wexford bar. 1-0 to Longford at half-time but, other than the concession of the goal, Wexford had been fine. The high press which Wexford played was, however, weakened as just before the half, Wexford’s quickest player, Sean Roche, limped off and was replaced by U19 player, Brody Murphy.
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