League Report: Shamrock Rovers 2 - 0 Wexford Youths

Shamrock Rovers began their home campaign with a victory after goals from Danny North and Gary McCabe ensured the Pat Fenlon’s side ran out 2-0 victors over Wexford Youths at Tallaght Stadium on Friday evening.

The Hoops raced out the blocks and had the game’s first opportunity inside the opening 30 seconds. North was fouled on the edge of the box, but Brandon Miele’s delivery was headed behind for a corner.

Despite taking some time to adjust to the pace of the match, Gary Delaney had a good chance for Youths after Danny Furlong's free-kick was not cleared by the home defence. The ball came to Delaney but his looping headed effort was easily gathered by Barry Murphy in the Rovers goal.

With the Hoops hoping to impress in front of their home faithful, Gary McCabe was next to try his luck from distance, but his effort took a deflection before going behind for a corner. From the resulting corner, Maxime Blanchard headed wide at the front post.

As the midway point of the opening period approached, Furlong will feel he should have done better after he dispossessed McCabe in the middle of the park, but his effort from the edge of box was easily saved by Murphy.

Despite Furlong’s miss, Youths continued to look dangerous and Chris Kenny was the next visiting player to try his luck, however, his effort from the edge of the penalty area was easily blocked.

On the half hour mark, last week’s heroes for Rovers combined when Miele played a one-two with North before racing onto North’s ball over the top. However, his poor first touch allowed Graham Doyle to smother the opportunity.

Just prior to half-time Rovers had a brilliant chance to take the lead. Miele raced onto a ball down the left wing and his cross found North whose effort cannoned off the underside of the woodwork. Luckily for Youths, the forward was adjudged to have been off in an offside position.

Moments later, Youths broke from the back and Paul Murphy laid the ball off to Aidan Friel. His first time effort found Furlong but he could only find the roof of the net from an acute angle

When the side emerged from the dressing rooms after the break, it was the visitors who started brightly with Furlong forcing a fantastic save from Barry Murphy after the forward latched onto a Friel cross.

From the resulting corner, Furlong was involved again this time he failed to find the target with a headed effort from outside the six yard box. Minutes later, Rovers had a chance of their own, but Michael Drennan failed to hit the target from a Killian Brennan cross.

With an hour on the clock, Shamrock Rovers took the lead somewhat against the run of play when Miele stood over another dangerous free-kick from 25 yards. His effort was plucked out of the top corner by the Youths keeper Doyle and the ball fell to North who fired home from close range into an empty net.

Despite falling behind, Youths had an opportunity on goal soon after. Ryan Delaney danced past Simon Madden, but no attacker gambled on his dangerous cross allowing David O’Connor to head clear.

A goal down and chasing the game, Youths continued to create chances with Paul Murphy and John Bonner firing high and wide.

Moments later, Paul Murphy should have equalised for the visitors. The forward disposed O’Connor before racing through one-on-one with Barry Murphy, but the keeper pulled off an excellent save to deny Youths a first league goal.

With the full-time whistle fast approaching, the Hoops sealed the victory after Miele forced a brilliant save from Doyle before Lee Grace fouled Drennan inside the penalty area. Referee Ben Connolly had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick which McCabe fired past Doyle despite the shot stopper guessing the right way.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, Maxime Blanchard, David O’Connor, Gavin Brennan; Gary McCabe (c), Brandon Miele, Killian Brennan (Pat Cregg 81); Michael Drennan, Dean Clarke (Trevor Clarke 90+1), Danny North (Gary Shaw 74).

Subs not used: Craig Hyland (GK), David Webster, Rob Cornwell, Richard Purdy.

Bookings: K. Brennan (20), Cregg (90+1).

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle (c); Craig McCabe (Craig Wall 79), Gary Delaney, Lee Grace, Ryan Delaney; Aidan Friel, Chris Kenny (Danny Ledwith 79) , John Bonner (Andy Mulligan 79), Eric Molloy; Paul Murphy, Danny Furlong.

Subs not used: Matt Connor (GK), John Pearce, Conor English,, Stephen Last.

Bookings: Kenny (34), P.Murphy (83).

Attendance: 2,353.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match:  Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers).

You can see Eoin Smith's and Peter Fitzpatrick's images from the game by clicking here.