Wexford C.B.S.Impressive In Dominant Semi-Final Performance

Wexford C.B.S...4  St. Brendan's Bray...1

Monday 23^rd of April saw the under 16 soccer team of Wexford CBS qualify for the final of the Wicklow-Wexford league after an outstanding team performance against St. Brendan’s of Bray in Arklow to emerge with a 4-1 victory. Wexford, missing Lar Stoutt and Ian Moran through injury, were thoroughly impressive throughout and were deserved winners.

The bokerboys looked eager from the first whistle and immediately imposed themselves on their opponents as they took control of possession and looked to put their opponents under pressure. Captain Robin Dempsey was leading his side by example as he gathered possession and drove his team forward as the CBS put the Brendan’s defence under immense pressure from the beginning. The Wexford side began to dominate the game and were enjoying the majority of possession without really testing the Brendan’s keeper. Eoin MacDonald was the first to test him however after good work from Darragh Rossiter made an opening but his low shot was well saved. Brendan’s broke with a ball over the top but their attack was thwarted by CBS keeper Joe Coleman. Wexford got themselves back on track and really began to up the tempo and this pressure lead to the opening goal after good link up play from Dempsey, Donoghue and Whitty down the right flank to give the ball into striker Jessie Farrell who took possession outside the box, he turned and swerved in a dangerous ball to the far post which was met by onrushing winger Mark Doyle who executed a neat volley into the bottom corner leaving the keeper helpless to grab a deserved lead for the bokerboys.

Wexford were not stopping yet however and piled the pressure on the Brendan’s defence forcing a number of saves from their keeper. The Brendan’s players were throwing their bodies on the line to prevent a second CBS goal but were unlucky as Jessie Farrell doubled the advantage of the Wexford side, the goal came from a corner after Farrell first had an attempt well saved on the line before Dempsey’s follow up was well blocked before Farrell finally turned the ball over the line to press home the Wexford advantage. This put the CBS 2-0 up inside 20 minutes. The CBS were in control of the game at this point and were knocking the ball around looking to create chances with the impressive Shaun Donoghue causing havoc down the right wing. Wexford began a little bit of showboating with Dempsey in particular showing the attending crowd his fancy footwork as the bokerboys continued to frustrate their opponents. This did lead to the side becoming a little bit complacent as Brendan’s managed to break forward twice before the end of the half and were unlucky not to score.

Wexford CBS began the second half with renewed focus determined not to allow their opponents and chance of coming back and soon added to their lead. Richie Kearney who was having a fine game at centre half joined the attack for a free kick and an excellent Mark Doyle delivery was met with a volley by Kearney to put the boker boys 3-0 up. A fourth goal soon followed from Kearney again as the centre half ventured forward for a corner kick and his header beat the keeper and Brendan’s defence to put CBS 4-0 ahead. Wexford continued to push on and came close to scoring on a number of occasions lively substitute Cian Doyle’s pace caused new problems for the Brendan’s defence, Jessie Farrell came closest to finding a 5th seeing his header tipped onto the crossbar after good work from Dempsey found him unmarked. St. Brendan’s managed to grab a consolation goal with 4 minutes remaining as the solid Wexford defence lapsed and allowed a well struck effort beat Joe Coleman. With time running out it was CBS again who looked like scoring with substitute Shane McGrath working the keeper just before the full time whistle. Wexford now look forward to renewing their rivalry with Gorey in the final this Friday 4^th May. Wexford CBS put in an outstanding team performance and were worthy winners most impressive on the day for the Boker boys were Captain Robin Dempsey who did everything but score, Jessie Farrell, Shaun Donoghue and goal scoring centre-half Richie Kearney.

Wexford CBS: Joe Coleman (Forth Celtic), Eoghan Whitty (Wexford Albion), Richie Kearney (North End), Alan Larkin (Wexford Celtic), Emmet Sinnott (North End), Shaun Donoghue (North End), Robin Dempsey (C) (North End), Darragh Rossiter (Forth Celtic), Mark Doyle (North End), Jessie Farrell (Wexford Celtic), Eoin MacDonald (Wexford Celtic); Subs: Cian Doyle (Wexford Celtic) for MacDonald, Eoin Doyle (Wexford Albion) for Sinnott, Andrew McGuickan (Wexford Celtic) for M.Doyle, Shane McGrath (Wexford Albion) for Farrell, also Lar Stoutt (Curracloe Utd.)