As we reach the business end of the season, the Creane & Creane Wexford Cup is nearing its conclusion. We have now reached the semi-final stage…
The two Wexford Cup semi-final fixtures are looming upon us:
Camolin Celtic vs North End United. 1st of May @ Ajax Athletic
Courtown Hibs vs Gorey Rangers. 8th of May @ Gorey Celtic
The first semi-final to take place will be the battle of David vs Goliath. While that may seem like an exaggeration to some, I’m sure it will feel like that for Camolin Celtic as they approach this daunting task. North End have won all around them the past few years in Wexford and Nationally, with the culmination of that undoubtedly the FAI Junior Cup win in 2017-2018 over Pike Rovers.
The North End players have numerous Premier Division and Wexford Cup medals, so this is very much par for the course with them. On the other hand, Camolin Celtic, from Division 3A, are the fairytale story of this season’s Creane & Creane Wexford Cup.
Having defeated only higher division sides on the way to the semi-final, they will be hoping to achieve the greatest scalp possible in knocking out North End. Comparable with any underdog in sporting history such as Greece winning the European Championship in 2004, Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2015-2016, Rocky Balboa fighting the great Apollo Creed, the odds are firmly stacked against Camolin Celtic but as we all know, everyone loves an underdog.
A local derby in the second semifinal, two teams with no love lost for each other, is sure to be a hard-fought contest between the two sides as it always is. Rangers tasted cup success in 2018 and are no doubt hungry to taste that success again.
Courtown are a side who feature quite a number of younger players after many of the senior players have retired over the past few seasons. The two sides met in Ramstown only two weeks ago with Rangers coming out on top in a 3-0 score line, but the game was 0-0 at halftime. I think that result will weigh heavy on both teams’ minds. Rangers will surely have gained a measure of confidence following that victory.
The Courtown camp could go two ways: will they carry more motivation to gain revenge, or will it be a damaging defeat that hurts their confidence?
Knowing this Courtown side, I would bet on the former. I can imagine Courtown flying out of the traps looking for a fast start in the first 20 minutes of this cup tie.
I anticipate this game being a traditional, classic, entertaining cup tie with both teams not shirking a challenge and there being plenty of blood and thunder, especially in the early stages of the game. After witnessing the game a few weeks ago, I am expecting another tough game for both sides, with Rangers just prevailing, maybe their experience proving vital to get them over the line.
My prediction:
Final – North End vs Gorey Rangers.
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