Cork City vs Wexford Youths

• Gareth Penrose
• Mon, Aug 25 2008




On Monday night, Wexford Youths will aim to create history and reach their first ever final in their short life. However, firstly they have the small task of defeating a Cork City side in Turner’s Cross, a side 18 places above them in the eircom League.

The game represents the first ever competitive meeting between the sides, and both go into the game on the back of league wins on the weekend. City turned in an impressive performance as they defeated Bray Wanderers by three goals to nil on Friday night, and City boss Alan Mathews told CorkCityFC.ie that he is looking forward to the game: “The game offers us the chance to reach the final of a competition which was last won by this club ten years ago. I am sure that Wexford will give us a tough test on Monday, but we will not underestimate them and will give our all to reach the final.”

In injury news, John O’Flynn returned from injury as a substitute against Bray on Friday night, and with no other injuries to report, Mathews should have a full strength side to choose from on Monday.

Wexford manager Mick Wallace knows that Monday's historic occasion will be a stern test however, with club captain Anthony Russell still suspended.

"I used to go and watch Cork when Kevin (Doyle) was playing with them," Wallace said. "Cork is a great club and I enjoyed going there as there was a great atmosphere at Turners Cross and it's a real soccer club in every sense of the word. They have passionate fans and a lovely ground, so we're really looking forward it and it will be a great experience for the young squad we have.

"It'll be men against boys really, but our boys can play football so hopefully it will be a good match and if we win we'll stay for the night as Cork is a great place to socialise in!"