U17 Airtricity League Southern Elite Division: Wexford Youths 2-1 Kerry League
U17 Airtricity League Southern Elite Division:
Wexford Youths 2-1 Kerry League
By Padraig Harnett ,
The Kerry u17’s were on course for their first point in their 4th game in the Airtricity League only to have it snatched away by a last minute winner in Ferrycarrig Park.
The goal came in the 88th minute when Adam Masood was left to round a number of Kerry defenders before setting up Vincent Quinlan, who was getting his second.
This was cruel on Kerry who dominated the game for long periods and created some very good chances. Kevin Williams and Dillon Robinson were particularly dangerous and caused Wexford Youths problems all day.
However it was the home side that took the lead in the 12th minute. Kerry conceded a free kick which was quickly taken by Cian Doyle who played the ball in behind the defence and Quinlan was in on goal. While Brian Lonergan tried to get to the ball Quinlan scuffed it past him and into the net.
Credit to Kerry they upped their game again and Darren Loughnane and Dylan O’Sullivan went close, the latter after Thando Dube had intercepted the Wexford keepers throw.
Williams and Robinson both tested the keeper as Kerry turned the screw and they got their reward in the 37th minute.
Martin Coughlan was fouled just outside the box and he got up to take the free kick which he put on target. Ciaran Sheill in the Wexford goal could only parry the shot and Kevin Williams was quickest to react to stab the ball home.
Wexford Youths made a couple of changes at half time and Craig O’Reilly in particular had a big influence on the second half. Kerry were on the back foot with Conor Standen, David O’Connor and Sean Carmody all making important tackles to keep the scores level.
Gradually Kerry again began to take control and Robinson was inches away from giving Kerry the lead. He got on the end of a Coughlin through ball and was in on goal but while he beat the keeper his shot grazed the outside of the post.
Robinson then turned provider and fizzed a great ball low across the box but no Kerry player was far enough forward to take advantage.
At the other end Lonergan had to be alert to keep out efforts by Quinlan and Luke O’Neill. Sean Carmody also denied O’Neill while Williams brought a save from Adam Dempsey who had come into the Wexford goal after half time.
And so it looked like ending in a draw, and both sides would probably have settled for that, until Quinlan’s late late show broke Kerry hearts.
Kerry will take lots of positives from this gsme as they get ready to face Shamrock Rovers in Tralee this Sunday and Mervue United away in their next two games. The progression shown by the side is very evident as is the ever improving results sequence. That first point or win is not far away.
Kerry: Brian Lonergan, Gearoid Dillane. Sean Carmody, Conor Standen, David O’Connor, Darren Loughnane, Dylan O’Sullivan (Shaagh O’Connor 60 mins), Martin Coughlan, Thando Dube, Dillon Robinson, Kevin Williams. Subs: Ben Cooney, Sheldon Neill, Blake Bolster, Thomas Burke, Neil Downey, Robert Osbourne.
Wexford Youths: Ciaran Shiell (Adam Dempsey 45 mins), Jack Brazill, Jack Bates, Paddy Barron (Cian Larkin 30 mins), Josh Breen (Craig O’Reilly 45 mins), Cian Doyle, Adam Masood, Mikie Carroll, Vincent Quinlan, Ryan Burke (Ciaran Murphy 70 mins), Luke O’Neill (Sam Neill 80 mins). Subs Ronan Kelly, Eddie Black.