Wexford Youths 0 - 1 Athlone Town

• Brian de Salvo
• Sat, Apr 16 2011


There are those who think Ferrycarrig Park is but a figment of Mick Wallace’s imagination, evaporating into the Wexford mists between matches. Certainly there was a surreal air about the place prior to kick off this evening when keeper Packie Holden, left arm in a surgical brace, was named to start for Youths. All was explained when the injured Holden was revealed as Packie’s twin Brian. Is he a keeper too when fit? Only in an emergency, I’m told. “Welcome to the field of dreams,” grins Mick Wallace.

No mention of the Beautiful Game in my local TD’s greeting and, to be honest, there was little evidence of it in a match marred by unforced error and the inability of either side to retain possession when and where it counted. Athlone were off at a gallop with Scallion’s first minute cross from the right headed behind for a corner by Anthony Wolfe. Sweeney’s flag kick gave Woods a free header which was blocked and eventually scrambled away.

There was an interesting clash of formation between the sides. Youths, disastrously square in defence in their previous home game against Mervue, opted for three at the back this time. Mike Kerley put out his side in a 4-3-3 shape, springing their flank men forward whenever opportunity presented, causing some nervous moments between the home side’s back three, all stationed centrally. This gave Town’s overlapping full backs Scallion and Williamson the freedom of the touch lines.

But Wexford survived and Furlong intermittently looked dangerous, heading Rowe’s cross from the left over after seven minutes. Back came Athlone, Tier’s shot was blocked by Wolfe and after Kehoe fouled Stack, there was a ominous hint of things to come when the home defence failed to deal with Williamson’s free kick but survived this time. Another free kick, this time from Sweeney brought Holden from his line for a fine punch off Barrett’s head.

Eight minutes after the interval Garret McCurtin arrived from the bench and immediately showed his quality. A fine cross from the right afforded Furlong a free header which sent Town keeper Michael Schlingermann sprawling to his right but the ball passed wide of the post. With the Youths defence so obviously short on experience it was hard to fathom why McCurtin wasn’t on from the start; perhaps doubts about his defensive qualities might have been a factor in selection but a great tackle on Athlone’s sub striker Smyth in the 75th minute gave the lie to that. Holden’s flying but perfectly legitimate tackle to thwart Smyth way outside his area five minutes earlier was even better for the forward was otherwise clean through on goal. The Wexford keeper was soon in double action again, parrying Tier’s piledriver up into the air and retrieving the deflected ball before it could drop into the net.

But most attacks faltered at the key moment and the game looked certain to end nil-nil, especially after Kevin Horan, put through by Smyth, slid the ball narrowly past the far post when favoured to score with just six minutes remaining. But a brace of corners from the left from the impressive Scallion settled the match. Martin Kehoe, one of the few Wexford successes, deflected the first over his own goal and Holden, whose punching and handling had been impeccable all evening, looked favourite to claim the second when it was launched into a packed six yard box. But Athlone’s Tommy Barrett stole in to get to the ball first and bundle it home.

An untidy goal to win an untidy match but three valuable points that Athlone just about deserved. Neither of these teams is likely to trouble the division’s promotion candidates but you can see what Mike Kerley is trying to build from limited and youthful resources. As for Youths, I really have doubts about the quality and depth of this squad to compete at this level. But they’ve always proved my pronouncements of doom wrong before so watch this space.

Wexford Youths: Packie Holden; Anthony Wolfe (capt), Karl Keogh, Martin Kehoe; Shane Nolan (Garret McCurtin 53), Patsy Malone, Ben Ryan, Craig Wall, Kevin Rowe (Muzzi Mullen 82); Danny Furlong, Darragh Walshe ( Greg Yelverton 71).
Unused Subs: Eoin Kinsella, Robert Dempsey

Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Niall Scallion, Paul Danager, Joe Woods, Kevin Williamson (capt); Ian Sweeney (Kevin Horan 77), Tommy Barrett, Bobby Tier; Ronan Stack, Alex Gardiner (Colm Smyth 71), Roy King (14 Stephen Relinan 54).
Unused Subs: Scott Gaynor, Darren Young

Sent Off : Patsy Malone (Wexford Youths) 90+1

Booked: Paul Danagher (Athlone Town) 68

Attendance (estimated) 250

Referee: Keith Callanan