[Match Report] Brave Wexford come up short against nervy Louth

Byron Jones at Portlaoise

In this Leinster Senior Championship quarter final match in Portlaoise, Wexford put in a magnificent performance against a Louth team who play in two tiers above them in the Allianz National Football League…

Wexford showed great skill, perseverance, style, teamwork, fine scoring and intelligent play for most of the match, but they were undone by two crucial penalties.

Wexford played with a strong breeze in the first half and a nice fetch by captain Liam Coleman and an adjoining free had the Model County on the front foot straight away.

Seán Nolan scored a nice free to start Wexford off n the score board.

During the early doors, Wexford were defending with tenacity, one of which led to a turn over, a nice attacking move and a gorgeous score from Kilanerin ace, Pauric Hughes.

Wexford would soon survive a penalty scare as the Louth player was adjudged to have dived. A fantastic break out of defence which after some fabulous team work resulted in a Graeme Cullen point, much to the annoyance of the travelling Louth supporters in Portlaoise. Wexford were playing with real intelligence and on 15 minutes, the Model County held a one point lead, with the score reading 0-04 to 0-03.

A fantastic attacking run by Eoghan Nolan set up Seán Nolan for a rasper of a shot on goal. Unfortunately almost breaking the crossbar such was the velocity of the kick, it rebounded outfield and was tidied up by an alert Graeme Cullen to slot over a neat point.

Eoghan Nolan, shortly after, had an attempt for a shot drop short, but the Louth keeper made a complete mess of it. He kicked it straight to Kevin O’Grady and the Wexford trickster dodged two players before fisting over for a lovely score.

An unreal team move by Wexford involving numerous players in a silky display of passing was converted with aplomb by Glen Malone.

Sean Nolan then drilled over from close range and Wexford were attacking with menace and were really in the driving seat.

Some fabulous tackling in defence and a brilliant midfield display from Liam Coleman was sadly undone by a small lapse in defence when Louth easily exploited Wexford’s defence on the over-lap to score a great goal to the top of the net. The Wee County added another point to undeservedly go in a point up at half-time, with the scoreboard reading 1-06 to 0-08.

On the resumption of play, Wexford were facing a strong breeze and into strong sun light when it bothered to come out.

The scrappy throw in was won by Wexford. Shortly after, Glen Malone scored an even scrappier point off the crossbar after a strong run to even up affairs in Portlaoise.

A crazy attacking sequence by Louth who had about a 6 on 3 ensued. They managed to squander the two goal chances in seconds of each other – but a lot must be said about the two great blocks from the Wexford defence.

Wexford’s midfield was well on top and Niall Hughes was showing great prowess in the air.

Wexford had Kevin O’Grady to thank with a great tackle in defence which led to a Louth player feeling the heat, being bottled up and turned over by three Wexford players 12 yards from our goal.

Louth hit panic mode sending on three players to sort things out.

An unreal pass to Graeme Cullen led to him opening up play to Seán Nolan who ran on to score nicely.

Louth opened up the heart of the Wexford defence, slicing past a flailing O’Grady tackle to score another super goal.

A way-ward Glen Malone attempt at a point led to a ’45 against the wind. Captain fantastic Liam Coleman stepped up and scored it, with a well-executed 45, and it was something that was well-needed at the time.

Louth were by now however starting to get on top and a lovely taken penalty pulled the pressure on Wexford.

Wexford worked a nice point, with a free kick into the D area by Seán Nolan to Mark Rossiter who scored easily.

Wexford won the resulting kick out handily enough and went on a searing break, with Seán Nolan scoring a resulting free.

Wexford were now unbelievably back in it with minutes remaining only to have their sails ripped apart by another Louth penalty.

Naomh Eanna youngster Rory Tubritt in goal bravely saved to prevent another goal and Pauric Hughes scored our last point, but it was all in vain as Louth ran out 4-10 to 0-15 winners.

Wexford now go into the Tailteann Cup where they will fancy a crack at that competition against weaker opposition. This is still a young team, with a magnificent midfield duo and fine attacking unit and they will absolutely go for it with good believe of getting very far in the Tailteann Cup.

Teams and scorers:

LOUTH: N O’Donnell; D McKenny, D Campbell, P Lynch; L Grey, A Williams, C McKeever; T Durnin (0-2), C Murphy; C Downey (2-0), C Keenan, C Grimes (0-1, m); R Burns (0-1), S Mulroy (2-4, 2-0 pen, 0-4f), T Jackson (0-1).

Subs: L Jackson (0-1) for T Jackson, B Duffy for Murphy, N Sharkey for Grey (all 46 mins); D Corcoran for Campbell (64), P Matthews for Durnin (68).

WEXFORD: R Tubritt; E Porter, D Lyons, G Sheehan; D Furlong, P Hughes (0-2), G Malone (0-2); L Coleman (0-2, 0-1 45), N Hughes; K O’Grady (0-1), E Nolan, M Rossiter (0-2); G Cullen (0-3), S Nolan (0-3, 0-2f), B Brosnan.

Subs: C Kinsella for Brosnan, T Byrne for E Nolan (both 49 mins); R Waters for Cullen (61), S Pettit for Rossiter (66), J Bealin for O’Grady (70).