Wexford Youths 0 - 0 St Patricks Athletic

What a difference a year makes. This time last year, Wexford Youths hosted St. Patrick’s Athletic in a pre-season friendly and lost 5-0. Many fans criticised Wexford manager Mick Wallace’s decision to compete against such strong opponents and the affects it could have on his young team. However on Friday the 13th of February at Ferrycarraig Park, Wexford avoided any slip ups on this so called superstitious of dates and recorded a respectable 0-0 draw.

Former Galway United manager and Republic of Ireland International Jeff Kenna fielded a strong St. Pats side against a Youths team with the usual balance of experienced and young players. Wallace’s team included some new faces such as Tim McGrath at centre half and former Waterford United shot stopper Packie Holden.

The first half started brightly for the visitors as they had a lot of possession, but failed to create any clear cut chances until mid way through the half. Ryan Guy out jumped Paul Rossiter and the prolific Mark Quigley rang on to his flick on, but with only the keeper to beat he somehow dragged his shot wide of the left post. Five minutes later Guy saw his header knocked off the line. Guy was causing the Wexford defence all sorts of problems with his pace and tenacity, however the Youths held strong and even though they didn’t create any clear cut opportunities they still deserved to go into the break level.

The Youths started the second half much brighter and really took the game to their prestigious opponents. It was a bit of a family dual in the middle of the park with cousins Shane and Gary Dempsey battling it out. Wexford created the first real chance of the second half when Johnny Flynn O’Connor and Ritchie Fitzgerald combined on the left and as the ball was crossed it fell to Shane Dempsey who controlled, but shot just wide of the left post.

Soon both sides were dealt major blows as both Mark Quigley and Fitzgerald limped off the field with what looked like hamstring strains, Kenna and Wallace will be hoping no long term damage is done as both strikers are key to their ambitions this season. There were plenty more chances for both sides as Paul Malone and Paul Rossiter for the Youths and Ryan Guy for Pats all had headers cleared off the line.

In the dying moments substitute Lee Aust had not one, but two clear cut chances to win the game for the Youths. The first chance was when he ran on to a long ball from Dempsey, he controlled brilliantly, but saw his shot tipped round the post by the Pats keeper. Then from the corner he volleyed over at the back post when it looked easier to score, this wasn’t what Pats die hard fans had envisaged. However just when it looked like Wexford were going to record a positive result Ryan Guy was sent through by Dempsey in the last minute and with only the keeper to beat he shot wide.

This was an extremely hard fought and entertaining contest, even if the score line doesn’t suggest it. Wallace should be the happier of the two managers, he’s worked on the defence a lot over the break as they look fitter and quicker and seem to have cut out the lapses in concentration. Also the acquisition of goalkeeper Holden looks like being one of the best bits of business in the transfer market. He communicated with his back line all night and pulled off some sharp saves, he could be the signing to help Wallace’s team move to the next level.

Kenna will be pleased with his team’s crisp link up play, but wary of their lack of a killer touch, especially with Quigley going off with a suspected injury. Youngster Stephen Fitzpatrick came on for Quigley in the second half and looks like a fighter, although it could be a year too soon for him. Pats will miss the departed Keith Fahey’s vision this year, but the fans will be hoping that Kenna is the man to bring the title back to Richmond Park.

My word it’s good to have football back.

Man of the Match: Ryan Guy: No goals, but the American left his blood and sweat all over the pitch. Never stopped running and looking for the ball, deserved a goal, but it just wasn’t to be.