FC CARLOW BEAT WEXFORD YOUTHS 2-1

TO REACH THE LAST 8 OF FAI u20 LEAGUE OF IRELAND

FC Carlow have secured a last 8 place in the FAI u20 League of Ireland with a well deserved win over Wexford Youths in Tullow last Sunday. This now leaves FC Carlow with an away fixture in the quarter final, where they will face Mervue Utd in Galway next weekend.

Mick Wallace’s Wexford Youths are the current u18 All Ireland Champions and would probably have considered themselves favourites to win the u20 League outright. They came to Tullow on Sunday requiring only a draw to advance from the group, whereas for FC Carlow, this was a must win game.

FC Carlow began at a very high tempo and had the better of the opening exchanges. In what was a fiercely contested game, space and time on the ball was at a premium and with Wexford’s defence being the meanest in the country, FC Carlow knew that they would have to work very hard to create an opening.

Carlow’s first and probably best chance of the first half came inside 10mins, when a superbly delivered Tomas Brennan free kick was struck just outside the post from close range by Ryan Curran. Wexford’s best efforts came midway through the half when former South East Academy player Conor Wallace firstly had a well struck shot cleared off the line and minutes later brought a good save from Jeff Moran in the Carlow goal, when he rose highest to direct his header on target from a corner. Jimmy Keohane (another former South East player) was Wexfords biggest threat throughout the game, he proved to be a constant threat, but was well marshalled by Steve Purcell and Adam Byrne in the Carlow defence.

Carlow’s determination and desire shone through for the final quarter of the first half as they put the Youths defence under serious pressure. The visitors found the pace of Andrew Hickey and Shane Clarke to be a constant threat, with centre forward Daragh Walshe proving to be impossible to handle, even with 3 man markers on him. Carlow’s pressure almost paid dividends late on when when a Jimmy Dermody free kick brought a fantastic save from Wexford Youths keeper Pa Doyle. Carlow continued to press and with just one minute left in the half, Craig Hore won a corner for the home side, another great delivery into the box from Tomas Brennan resulted in Daragh Walshe being brought down for a penalty just as he was about to score. Carlow captain Adam Byrne was the calmest person in Tullow as he rattled the back of the net to send FC Carlow in a goal to the good at half time.

With the second half only minutes old, Carlow were dealt a massive blow, when their top goalscorer Daragh Walshe was carried from the pitch with a badly sprained ankle. This obviously unsettled the Carlow lads who found themselves under alot of pressure from a determined Wexford side. Character was required by the Carlow players and thats exactly what they showed, they regrouped and went in search of a second goal. Another Brennan free kick on the hour mark should have doubled the lead, but despite their best efforts, Ryan Curran and Joe Roberts could not get a touch on the ball as it flashed right across the Wexford goal. The visitors then came very close to equalising as Shane Dempsey unleashed a thunderous shot, but Jeff Moran showed his class with an excellent save in the Carlow goal. Minutes later, a Carlow attack saw Andrew Hickey cross to the unmaked Craig Hore, but his header was agonisingly just over the bar. FC Carlow’s persistence was to pay off however, when Steve Purcell linked with Andrew Hickey down Carlow’s right side in the 85 th min., Hickey delivered an inch perfect cross onto the head of Shane Clarke who gave Pa Doyle no chance with a powerful header from close range.

The game was far from over though, with the remaining 4mins plus 6mins injury time producing some heart stopping moments as the game flowed from end to end. Firstly Wexfords best player Jimmy Keohane found himself through on goal, but on this occasion his shot was just wide. Andrew Hickey then got through at the other end, but miscontrolled the ball as he was about to shoot. Then just as the game entered injury time a Carlow attack saw Wexford win the ball and break away on a counterattack which ended with Jimmy Keohane pulling a goal back for the visitors and setting up a nervous final five minutes for Carlow. Despite their best efforts, Wexford could not break down a resolute Carlow team in the remaining injury time meaning a well deserved victory sees FC Carlow advance from pool 2 along with Cork City.

Alot of credit must go to both teams, who showed unbelievable commitment, passion and desire, but on the day, Carlow had the extra belief to see them through. This has been a fantastic first season for FC Carlow, the hard work both on and off the field has been really paying off and lets hope the good run continues next week in Galway.

FC CARLOW: Jeff Moran, Stevie Purcell, Adam Byrne (C), Ryan Curran, James Dermody, Andrew Hickey, Emmet Phelan, Tomas Brennan, Craig Hore, Shane Clarke, Daragh Walshe, Joe Roberts (48 for Walshe).