29-Jul-2008

At last a win

County have kept their record of never having been beaten by Wexford intact after last night’s 1-0 win in Ferrycarrig Park and in the process claimed three points following five successive defeats.

On a beautiful night County arrive at Ferrycarrig Park – surely must be the best pitch in Ireland.

John Ryan made one change with Philip Hughes stepping in for Ger Robinson. County started slowly and Wexford could have taken the lead in a period where they were certainly on top.

A magnificent ball by Philip Hughes after 15 minutes set up Ciaran Kilduff and he made the task of beating Doyle in the Wexford goal look simple for his sixth goal since the break.

That goal changed the game and with County playing with renewed confidence began to take the game to Wexford.

Philly Hughes shot high and wide after 17 minutes and after 27 minutes Gregg Kilkenny played a ball through for Kilduff and his well hit shot was brilliantly saved by Pa Doyle in the Wexford goal.

Kyle Dempsey retired injured after 20 minutes to be replaced by Richie Fitzgerald.

The County defence with OC and Walsh at the heart looked a much stronger outfit than the one that has leaked goals all season and Austin O ‘Neill was back to his best as he brought off a brilliant save to deny Joey Wadding and when the ball fell for Sinnott it appeared to be a simple task to slot home but his effort went the wrong side of the post.

John Ryan had the players out on the pitch earlier for the second half as County supporters held their breadth mindful of the fact that County had conceded two goals early in the second half against Dundalk and Shelbourne.

The “trick” worked but not without a nervous five minutes when County conceded a needless corner.

Wexford appeared to have equalised but the linesman’s flag indicated that Sinnott was offside and Flynn O Connor got booked for his protestations.

Although under pressure for the remainder of the game the defence stood up to whatever Wexford through at them and Austin O’Neill had little to do for the final forty five minutes.

County were not without their chances in the second half and a free kick from Colin Fortune nearly found it’s way to the net as Doyle in the Wexford goal appeared to be watching the inrushing forwards rather than the ball.

Once again a magnificent defence splitting ball nearly fell for Robinson who had ghosted in behind the defenders. What a goal that would have been.

Cathal Brady came on as substitute and nearly scored County’s second as good interplay between himself and Robinson split the Wexford defence but Brady shot weakly.

This however was a day for the midfield and defence in which Fortune played brilliantly supplemented by O’Connell and Walsh in the centre of defence.

It is a joy to have two central defenders who are prepared to attack the ball and put their heads in where it hurts.

Kildare County: Austin O’Neill, Paul Donnelly, Glenn Walsh, Gregg Kilkenny, Eoin Kavanagh, Colin Fortune, David O’Connel, Craig Mooney, Barry Slattery Ciaran Kilduff Philip Hughes.

Substitutes: Ger Robinson for Philly Hughes 60 mins, Cathal Brady for Gregg Kilkenny 60 mins, Eoin Pwderly, David Vickery, Charlie Treacy

Wexford Youths: Pa Doyle, Anthony Russell, Joey Wadding, Paul Rossiter, John Flynn O Connor, Patsy Malone, Keith Kearney, Gavin Doyle, Conor Sinnott, Danny Furlong, Kyle Dempsey

Substitutes: Richie Fitzgerald for Dempsey 20 mins;, Lee Aust,Shane Dempsey for Wadding 78 mins;, Conor Wallace, Craig Mc Guire for Kearney 70 mins,

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