Carey Runs Riot, Defence Dominates, and Wexford Keep Playoff Dreams Alive

There are games that reset a team’s trajectory, and then there are games that remind everyone exactly who you are. For the Wexford Eagles, last Sunday’s 42 to 8 dismantling of the Northwest Vipers was both…

Reeling from a 27 to 0 home loss to the West Dublin Rhinos, carrying a 1 and 4 record, and dealing with a squad stretched to its limit, the Eagles had been written off by some. But over four quarters of dominant, ruthless football, Wexford not only stayed alive in the playoff race, they proved they remain one of the grittiest and most dangerous sides in Division 1.

The Hardest Road. The Smallest Squad. No Excuses.

To understand the gravity of this win, you need context. No team in Division 1 faced a more punishing start to the season.

The Eagles’ first five games included matchups against four of the division’s title contenders: the Louth Mavericks, the West Dublin Rhinos, the Westmeath Minotaurs, and the Cill Dara Crusaders. A second fixture against the Mavericks was called off due to unplayable pitch conditions, meaning Wexford’s early season gauntlet was compressed, unforgiving, and physically punishing.

Add to that the fact that Wexford fields the smallest squad in the country, and it becomes clear this is more than a team playing football. It is a squad surviving adversity. Injuries mounted. Depth was tested. But belief never wavered.

Carey Puts on a Clinic

Four touchdowns. Over 120 rushing yards. Two two-point conversions. And more broken tackles than the Vipers care to count.

Terry Carey did not just carry the ball. He carried the belief of the entire sideline. His two rushing touchdowns in the opening quarter set the tone early, and his receiving score in the second half, on a perfectly placed ball from QB1 Doran Traylor, was the offensive play of the day.

When Carey gets going, so do the Eagles. And on Sunday, he never looked back.

Defence Brings the Hammer

The defence did not just hold the line. They broke it.

In the second quarter alone, Trevor Smith and Shane Whelan each delivered pick-sixes, swinging momentum firmly in Wexford’s favour. Whelan’s performance did not stop there. Two forced fumbles, a sack, and a disruptive presence in every phase. He was everywhere the Vipers did not want him to be.

He was named Defensive MVP, and deservedly so.

Traylor’s Composure, Hill’s Spark, and O-Line Power

Doran Traylor provided calm leadership at quarterback, guiding the offence with confidence and control. In challenging wind conditions, he made smart reads, protected the football, and stepped up when it mattered most. He capped off one drive with a composed two-point conversion run of his own, showing poise both in the pocket and on the move.

David Hill brought energy to the return game once again, delivering his fourth 25 yard return of the season, a spark that helped tilt the field in Wexford’s favour.

But the foundation was built in the trenches. The offensive line dominated the point of attack all afternoon, powering a balanced and relentless attack. The entire offence was named MVP, a fitting tribute to a unit that rose together when it mattered most.

2 and 4. Still Alive. Still Dangerous.

With the win, Wexford improves to 2 and 4, a record that does not tell the full story.

They have come through the toughest schedule in Division 1. They have weathered injuries with the smallest squad in the country. And with two games remaining, they are firmly in the playoff picture.

Next Up: Must Win in Belfast

The road to the postseason continues this Sunday against the Antrim Stags. With momentum on their side, belief in the locker room, and destiny in their hands, the Eagles are ready for the next chapter.

Newforge Country Club, Belfast

Antrim Stags

2 PM Kickoff | Sunday, June 8

Final Score vs Northwest Vipers

Wexford Eagles 42

Northwest Vipers 8

Scorers

Terry Carey – 3 rushing touchdowns, 1 receiving touchdown, 2 two-point conversions

Doran Traylor – 1 two-point conversion

Trevor Smith – 1 pick-six

Shane Whelan – 1 pick-six

The Verdict

Smaller. Tougher. Hungrier.

No team in the division has walked a harder road. And now, with their fate in their own hands, the Wexford Eagles are flying again with no intention of landing early.

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