2 v 3 
DundalkVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 August 2022 | 7:45 pm | FAI Cup | 2022 |
Match Report
Robbie Benson the hero as Dundalk defeat Wexford AET
Wexford put on yet another outstanding cup performance, coming from behind to take the lead against a formidable Dundalk team and before a late Dundalk goal. Following David McMillan's opening goal goals by Luka Lovic and Ger Shortt put Ian Ryan's into the lead and could have paved the way to a shock cup win. Ryan O'Kane, who came into the game as a substitute in the second half, made a superb sold effort to tie the score to force it to extra time.
There was to be no fairytale ending to this dramatic night as Robbie Benson scored an extra-time penalty to end all hope of a glorious upset.
Ger Shortt turned Andy Boyle in the area to give the home team the first shot at goal, but the ball was cleared for a corner. David McMillan of Dundalk replied with a low shot that Wexford goalkeeper Moody easily stopped. Shortt once again received a cross from Crowley, but his turn and shot were off-target as Dundalk maintained their defensive shape.
Sheppard was forced to palm away a fantastic shot from Shortt on the edge of the box that tested the Dundalk defence once again. As the half went on, Dundalk seized control of the game and a curling free kick from Keith Ward took a tiny deflection to go wide was an indication of what was to come.
The away side was to take the lead with the next attack, after Wells in the Wexford defence failed to clear a cross from Runar Hauge, the ball fell to Bradley with a low shot that was well saved by Moody. However, it was only parried, and David McMillan was on hand to tap it home from close range.
Wexford was nearly on level terms as a loose ball from Shortt found Harry Groome who had a great opportunity to level terms but Sheppard superbly blocked his attempt to keep his side ahead in the tie.
Wexford's Adam Wells had a great opportunity to level the game early in the second half, but Nathan Sheppard is called upon once again to make an outstanding stop. The home side wouldn't have to wait long because their counterattack tenacity paid off. With plenty of time on his side, Luka Lovic slipped the ball under Sheppard to level the game after evading the Dundalk defence.
The home side was to take the lead midway through the second half as Ger Shortt managed to escape the defensive trap to slide the ball past Sheppard with a well-placed effort.
Ryan O'Kane took the game by the scruff of the neck and closed down on the Wexford defence. Despite being forced out wide, he produced a brilliant shot that beat Moody and nestled into the far corner of the net, pulling the away team level.
Late in the game, both teams had opportunities to win the tie. Harry Groome had a wonderful opportunity to give Wexford the lead again after meeting Davis' cross, but he scooped it over the crossbar. Robbie McCourt for Dundalk, had a chance to win the tie when he latched onto a Benson free kick, but he headed it straight at Moody.
In the first period of extra time, Dundalk had two chances of note. A cross was played into the Wexford area, and Benson made the closest of touches, but his shot narrowly missed the far post. He would come near once more when John Martin headed down a cross from Ryan O'Kane and Robbie Benson's shot narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Dundalk was awarded a penalty in the second half of extra time as John Martin was pushed in the area by Jordan Tallon. Robbie Benson stepped up to despatch the penalty with ease to ensure Dundalk saved their blushes and progressed to the next round.
Timeline
| 4. Paul Cleary | 23' | |
| 38' | 29. David McMillan | |
| 12. Luka Lovic | 55' | |
| 60' | Runar Hauge Alfie Lewis | |
| 60' | Keith Ward Robbie Benson | |
| 60' | Joe Adams Ryan O'Kane | |
| Ger Shortt | 65' | |
| 72' | 11. Ryan O'Kane | |
| Adam Wells Conor Davis | 74' | |
| Paul Cleary Aaron Dobbs | 74' | |
| Ger Shortt Thomas Considine | 87' | |
| 20. Conor Crowley | 90' | |
| 92' | Robbie McCourt John Mountney | |
| 97' | 6. Alfie Lewis | |
| Conor Crowley Mitchell Byrne | 100' | |
| Harry Groome Dinny Corcoran | 109' | |
| 111' | 8. Robbie Benson |
Past Meetings
4 - 5eLOI-Group B
Online Event Wexford FC v Dundalk |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park Wexford FC v Dundalk FC |
3 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park Dundalk FC v Wexford FC |
1 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park Wexford FC v Dundalk FC |
Ground
| Ferrycarrig Park |
|---|
| Ferrycarrig Park, Kilpatrick, The Borough District of Wexford, County Wexford, Leinster, Y35 E296, Ireland |
Ciaran Callan
Ciaran Callan is a part-time sports journalist based in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He has more than 10 year’s experience working with media companies including both extensive radio broadcasting experience along with print and digital media reporting for the SSE Airtricity League as well digital media work with the national sports company eirSport. He joined FinalWhistle in February 2021 as is their main correspondent for Dundalk Football Club.
FULL TIME: Wexford put on yet another outstanding cup performance, coming from behind to take the lead against a formidable Dundalk team and before a late Dundalk goal. Following David McMillan's opening goal goals by Luka Lovic and Ger Shortt put Ian Ryan's into the lead and could have paved the way to a shock cup win. Ryan O'Kane, who came into the game as a substitute in the second half, made a superb sold effort to tie the score to force it to extra time. There was to be no fairytale ending to this dramatic night as Robbie Benson scored an extra-time penalty to end all hope of a glorious upset.
One added minute.
We have five minutes left here at Ferrycarraig and Wexford is throwing everything at the away side to grab a leveller.
GOAL DUNDALK: Robbie Benson slams home the penalty.
PENALTY DUNDALK: Ryan O'Kane is taken down by Tallon
Dinny Corcoran replaces Harry Groome.
EXTRA TIME: 15 minutes left to play here as Dundalk and Wexford look to grab a winner here.
CHANCE: A cross from Ryan O'Kane was headed down by John Martin and Robbie Benson's volley goes over the bar
Mitchell Byrne comes on for Conor Crowley.
Alfie Lewis booked is a pullback.
Alfie Lewis booked is a pullback.
CHANCE: A cross sent into the Wexford area and the closest of touches from Benson but it just evades the far post.
John Mountney comes on and he replaces the injured Robbie McCourt.
Robbie McCourt is down getting treatment from the doctors.
EXTRA TIME: Here we go! Wexford restarts proceedings.
FULL TIME: Wexford put on yet another outstanding cup performance, coming from behind to take the lead against a formidable Dundalk team and before a late Dundalk goal. Following David McMillan's opening goal goals by Luka Lovic and Ger Shortt put Ian Ryan's into the lead and could have paved the way to a shock cup win. Ryan O'Kane, who came into the game as a substitute in the second half, made a superb sold effort to tie the score before extra time.
Four added minutes added at Ferrycarrig Park
CLOSE: Robbie McCourt had a chance to steal this as he latched onto a free kick from Benson but he heads it straight at Moody.
HOW DID HE MISS THAT? Groome with a glorious chance to put Wexford back in the lead as Davis' cross was met by the striker but he scooped it over the bar!
Double change for Wexford: Conor Davis and Aaron Dobbs replace Adam Wells and Paul Cleary.
GOAL DUNDALK: The away side is level as Ryan O'Kane grabs the game by the scruff of the neck and bore down on the Wexford defence, despite being pushed out wide he hit a brilliant strike to beat Moody and it nestled into the far corner of the net.
I have to be honest: Wexford is relentless here. Sam Bone and Andy Boyle are having a tough night trying to keep a lid on Shortt, and if it's not him it's runners from deep causing them problems through the middle.
WEXFORD LEAD: Ger Shortt broke free of the defensive trap and with a well-taken effort he slid the ball past Sheppard as Wexford take the lead.
Three changes for Dundalk as Alfie Lewis is on for Hauge, Robbie Benson is on for Ward and Ryan O'Kane is on for Adams.
SAVE: Shortt rises highest in the area to hit an excellent header that Sheppard could only parry - Dundalk pinned to their collar here.
Wells breaks down the left and hits a low effort that Sheppard has to save - this is a game now as Dundalk thought they had to contain the home side.
GOAL: Luka Lovic breaks free of the Dundalk defence and with all the time in the world slots the ball under Sheppard to level things here in Wexford.
SAVE: Adam Well with a fantastic chance to level things here for Wexford but once again Nathan Sheppard is called into action and once again he pulls off a fantastic save.
A tight affair here as Wexford have dropped deep and is looking to hit Dundalk on the break.
Joe Adams gets the ball on the edge of the area but he fails to shoot and lays off the pass but it doesn't reach its intended target.
SECOND HALF: We are back underway at Wexford.
HALF TIME: Half-time here at Ferrycarrig Park - David McMillan's goal has us ahead at the break.
WHAT A SAVE: Harry Groome with an excellent chance to level things here in Wexford as he latched onto a loose ball from Shortt, he hit an excellent snapshot that was excellently saved by Sheppard.
GOAL: Dundalk takes the lead! A cross from Runar Hauge was failed to be cleared by Well and the ball fell to Bradley who hit a low strike that was well saved by Moody - it was only parried and six years to the day David McMillan strikes again to make it 1-0 to the away side.
CHANCE: Keith Ward with a curling free kick that just took a slight deflection that went wide. The resulting corner evades everyone and its a goal kick.
SAVE: Ger Shortt with an excellent shot on the edge of the area that Sheppard palmed away. The ball was cleared then by Lewis Macari.
Cleary gets a yellow card for an off the ball decision.
CHANCE: A cross from Crowley was met by Shortt and his turn and shot were off target and Dundalk cleared their lines.
A cross from Conor Crowley was met by a Dundalk player and there were protests of a handball but it's cleared for a corner - Wexford has been the better side in this contest.
The first sight on goal for Dundalk FC sees David McMillan hit a low strike that is easily caught by Moody in the Wexford goal.
The opening exchanges have been all Wexford as they look to hit Dundalk with an early sucker punch - Dundalk are struggling to get a foothold along the front line at present.
Sam Bone and Ger Shortt are in a tussle for the ball but the Dundalk defender gets the better of him this time - it looks as if the Wexford forward is going to cause Dundalk some issues tonight.
Ger Shortt with the first sight on goal as he turns on Andy Boyle in the area but it's cleared for a corner - the Wexford set piece is cleared at the first opportunity.
KICK OFF: Dundalk gets us underway in Wexford.
And here comes the teams - Dundalk and Wexford are both in their respective home stripes. A big travelling contingent has travelled down from Louth today.
David McMillan who starts tonight has four career goals against Wexford and has scored on his last two visits to Ferrycarrig Park, including six years ago today in a 1-0 win for Stephen Kenny’s side. He also scored a double against them at Oriel Park in a 5-0 EA Sports Cup semi-final win in August 2014.
Tonight's ref is Adriano Reale. This is the Kildare man’s third time refereeing Dundalk this season having also taken charge of the 3-0 win over Finn Harps at Oriel Park on July 22nd and the 1-0 win away to Bohemians on August 12th.
It's Stephen O'Donnell's second time managing against Wexford and Ian Ryan. His St Pat’s side were 3-0 winners over Wexford at Richmond Park in the quarter-finals last September.
Stephen O'Donnell makes five changes from the side which lost to Shamrock Rovers on Sunday with Andy Boyle, Keith Ward, Joe Adams, Runar Hauge and David McMillan coming in for Leahy, Benson, Lewis, O'Kane and Martin. Brian Gartland is back on the bench.
Good Evening from Ferrycarriag Park in sunny Co. Wexford where Wexford FC take on Dundalk FC in the FAI Cup. A place in the Quarter Final awaits both sides who will be looking to continue from their impressive results in Round One.