Season Review 2022: Wexford FC

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Team: Wexford FC

Head Coach: Ian Ryan

Top Scorer: Aaron Dobbs (10)

Stadium: Ferrycarrig Park

Biggest attendance: 818 v Waterford in September

Star Player: Harry Groome

The 2022 season was certainly one to remember for Wexford FC, with some fantastic performances and results throughout the campaign.  

The signing of Dinny Corcoran created a huge buzz around Wexford, with the former Bohemians striker being renowned for his incredible goal scoring and dependable performances. Although injury had blighted Corcoran in recent times, there was still hope for the 33-year-old to bring something to the table.

His 100th league goal eventually came in April in a 3-0 win over Athlone Town in Lissywollen, with the Dubliner scoring in the final league game of the season against Treaty in which he captained the side on the night. 

There were plenty of other promising signings, with Jordon Tallon from Shamrock Rovers and Ger Shortt from Collinstown FC proving to be outstanding for Ian Ryan’s side, alongside re-signings from 2021 – Harry Groome stood out this season as one of the most composed and consistent. 



Jack Doherty re-signed also, with an unfortunate injury during the middle of the season scarring his campaign. He did, however, make a comeback in late September nicking a goal against Bray Wanderers on his return.

Best Young Player: Thomas Considine

As quite a youthful team, it is tricky to pick one standout young player, especially as the team have shown such a distinct togetherness this season. Kildare native Thomas Considine is certainly one to watch for the future. The talented full back had a standout performance against Waterford at the RSC in July.

Not only did the 20-year-old do a fantastic job in his defensive duties, but also netted the first goal of the night which ultimately ended in a 3-1 win for Wexford. A fan favourite, Considine is impressive in defence and attack, and has been consistent since Ian Ryan signed him in mid-2021. 

Best New Signing:  Aaron Dobbs

Dobbs returned to Ferrycarrig Park after a stint away from the club - spending two seasons in the Premier Division with Longford and Shelbourne. The Wexford native netted ten goals in 2022 and was impressive throughout the campaign. His strength is one of his biggest assets, with plenty of important goals scored to push Wexford up the table.



Dobbs had previously played with forward Conor Davis and midfielder Jack Doherty, so the three linked up well when on the pitch together. The 23-year-old scored in two fixtures against rivals Waterford this season. The first coming in the away win in July, with the second in a tight 2-2 draw in Ferrycarrig which at the time was a huge result in terms of grasping a play-off place.

He came off the bench in said fixture and notched an 83rd minute strike to level the score and had chances to grab more before the final whistle. 

What we expected they would do:

Before the start of the season, it was predicted that Wexford would float between seventh and tenth. After finishing bottom of the table in 2021, manager Ian Ryan had a heavy workload in pushing his team up the table but made some promising signings going into 2022. 

What they actually did:

First Division:

It was a hit and miss start to the season, with a heavy 5-1 home defeat to Treaty United on the opening night setting a sombre tone early on, but this quickly changed the following week when the first three points were snatched in a 3-2 victory over Cobh Ramblers.

Those early games did, however, show signs of intent and determination from the players with performances looking better by the week. One of those promising performances came against Waterford in the RSC in early March where even though the Blues took all three points in a 2-1 win,

Wexford played with a fiery intensity and looked comfortable in areas where they hadn’t before. The goal for Wexford on that night was particularly memorable – an unstoppable direct free kick from number seven, Conor Crowley, who was one of the more creative players this season.

Through a series of draws and defeats in those early months, the momentum began to change when a streak of points began to flow and table position looked more promising. One particular home tie against Longford Town changed attitudes around how far Wexford could go this season, with a late winner from Conor Barry earning a hard-fought 2-1 win.

The run continued into July with a 3-1 victory away to Waterford, one of the most notable fixtures of the season in terms of performances. Towards the end of the season, Wexford were in contention to grasp a play-off spot, with Treaty becoming their biggest rivals for table position. Wexford’s only participation in the Premier Division came after winning the First Division title in 2015, falling back to the second tier after one season.

The team certainly looked as though they could be of Premier Division standard, but after dropping too many points, especially against Cobh in August where the sides drew 2-2 – Wexford finished 2022 in sixth position with a six-point gap to Treaty.

It must be noted, however, how daring their closing performances were. Goalkeeper Alex Moody played the game of his life against Cork City in a 0-0 draw which saw the Leesiders claim the First Division title. There were points nicked from Galway United and Treaty in the closing games too, with an impressive 38 points racked up in total for Wexford in 2022. 

FAI Cup:

The 2021 FAI Cup was a tremendous one for Wexford, who reached the quarter finals despite having a poor league campaign. Victories against Cabinteely and Killester gifted them a showdown with St Patrick’s Athletic which ultimately ended in defeat.

The run would see Wexford fired up to replicate their successes in the 2022 edition but with a first round draw away to Sligo Rovers, it appeared tricker than anticipated. Sligo had defeated Motherwell in a Europa Conference League qualifier just days beforehand and were on a decent run of form in the league.

It was Dinny Corcoran’s late equaliser and Ger Shortt’s winner in extra time, however, that resulted in Sligo crashing out of the cup leaving Wexford to face Dundalk in the next round.

12-time winners Dundalk made the trip to the Sunny South East in August and struggled against an energetic Wexford team who were determined to win. In one of the most vibrant atmospheres Ferrycarrig Park has seen in some time, it was decorated striker David McMillan who put the Lilywhites in the lead before Luka Lovic and Ger Shortt made it 2-1 to the home side. 

With just 15 minutes to go, the visitors levelled the game after substitute Ryan O’Kane found the back of the net, bringing it to extra time. Both teams left everything on the pitch, but in the end, Dundalk secured their place in the next round after a penalty kick in the dying minutes was placed easily by Robbie Benson. 

 

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