Waterford United 1 - 2 Wexford Youths

Wexford Youths claimed Southeast derby bragging rights after a deserved 2-1 win against Waterford United on Friday night.

The Youths were in control for much of the game and two goals from Man of the Match Danny Furlong was too much for the promotion chasing Blues, who saw their eleven-game unbeaten run ended.

Wexford Youths started the game quickly and had a chance after just two minutes. Paul Malone played in Danny Furlong but his strike was straight at Blues keeper Packie Holden. Furlong had another chance a minute later but he fired over.

The home side had their first change after eight minutes but Youths keeper Graham Doyle made a good save from Gary Dempsey’s powerful low free kick.

Joe Mulcahy had a great chance to open the scoring after eight minutes. Craig Wall played the ball off to Joe Mulcahy before being fouled by Seamus Long, but Holden was down low the save the midfielders strike after the referee allowed play to continue. Seamus Long picked up a yellow card for the late challenge, while Wall was stretchered from the field.

Midway through the half Furlong was again in action, but he couldn’t keep his strike down. Seamus Long was lucky not to give a penalty away shortly afterwards, his push on Joe Mulcahy going unpunished by the referee.

Peter Keegan linked up with Sean Maguire with ten minutes of the half remaining, but Doyle saved smartly from Keegan’s powerful 25-yard strike.

Seamus Long’s night took a turn for the worse when he was red carded after 35 minutes. Having been booked early in the first half, Long was given a second yellow card for what the referee deemed a deliberate handball in the middle of the field.

Dylan Mernagh came to Waterford United’s rescue two minutes before half-time. Paul Malone’s long ball put Joey Mulcahy through on goal, but Mernagh got back to make an important block. Mernagh then had a good chance down the other end but he shot just wide after cutting in from the left.

Paul Phelan had the last shot of the first half but Graham Doyle saved well, collecting the ball at the second attempt.

The second half started as the first had, with Wexford Youths in control, and they opened the scoring three minutes into it. Aidan Keenan made progress down the left side before striking off the post, but striker Danny Furlong was in the right place to fire the ball into the bottom right corner of Holden's net.

Three minutes later The Blues almost grabbed an equalisier. Striker Sean Maguire fed Gary Dempsey but he saw his shot blocked. The ball broke to Peter Keegan who set up Paul Phelan but his superb strike rebounded back off the post with Youths keeper Graham Doyle beaten.

Shane Nolan drove from midfield on the hour mark but saw his low strike whistle just wide of the post.

A scrappy period ensued before Wexford Youths doubled their lead with ten minutes to go. Jack Doherty lost possession in the middle of the field before Danny Furlong was played through. The striker raced clear to finish low to Packie Holden’s left and guarantee the points.

Jack Doherty played in Sean Maguire two minutes later but Doyle made an easy save. The duo were again involved in the third minute of stoppage time as they combined to grab a consolation goal, Maguire cutting in from the left to feed Doherty to fire low past Doyle.

The result leaves The Youths three points behind fourth place Athlone Town, while Waterford United stay second for the time being, but Longford Town can reclaim the spot on Saturday evening.

Waterford United: Packie Holden; Paul Carey (David Breen 77), Craig Burns, Seamus Long, Dylan Mernagh; Peter Higgins (Aidan McGrath 68), Gary Dempsey, Stephen Mulcahy, Paul Phelan (Jack Doherty 60); Sean Maguire, Peter Keegan.
Subs not used: Robbie Hughes, John Frost, Conor Coad, Jamie Cross.

Bookings: Long (8), Mernagh (21), Carey (47), Higgins (62).
Sent Off: Long (35).

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; James Scallan, Sean Corcoran, CJ Browne (Eric Molloy 85), Jamie Carr; Joey Mulcahy, Craig Wall (Thomas Croke 12’), Paul Malone, Brian Nolan (Shane Nolan 75), Aidan Keeenan; Danny Furlong.
Subs not used: Shane Clarke, Dean Broaders, Glen Hawe, Tom Elmes

Bookings: Scallan (72), Furlong (78), CJ Browne (83).

Referee: Keith Callanan.
Attendance: 613
Man of the Match: Danny Furlong (Wexford Youths).