0 v 6 
Wexford FCVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 May 2023 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2023 |
Match Report
Wexford boosted their hopes of promotion as they ran home convincing winners over Kerry FC in a six goal blitz at Mounthawk Park this evening. A brace for Danny Furlong and Aaron Dobbs netted four that saw Wexford cruise home with all three points this evening, moving them up to seventh spot, two points outside of the final promotion spot currently occupied by Athlone. Kerry had chances in the opening half, but failed to convert, some terrible defending at times gifted the visitors the opportunity to find the back of the net. Wexford started on the front foot, just three minutes in, the same time Kerry conceded in the verse tie, the visitors almost struck gold, Reece Webb crossed dangerously to the back post but experienced striker Danny Furlong missed the target. Two minutes later it was alarm bells again for a frantic looking Kerry backline, James Crawford curled a dangerous free into the box from the left wing, Ethan Boyle headed back across the face of goal, both Brandon McCann and Aaron Dobbs were lurking but Kerry defended well and survived as the ball hit the hand of Corban Piper and Kerry won a free out. A lack of cohesion at the back was costing Kerry, defenders and goalkeeper unsure who was to clear what in the end, that almost brought the first goal after 13 minutes, McCann was found in space just outside the box, he steadied himself well but Aaron O'Sullivan was down well to save. It took 23 minutes for Kerry to really test the Wexford backline, all coming from a dangerous counter attack, Samuel Aladesanusi headed clear, Nathan Gleeson raced up field, played a pass to Sean McGrath who fired over from range, that was followed by a Ryan Kelliher cross that Noel Heffernan gathered well. Strong appeals followed for a penalty by the home side, Gleeson and McCann having a coming together in the area, Gleeson fell down and the home side were enraged a spot kick was not given, after a lengthy stoppage Ethan Boyle struck a free kick inside his own half that certainly had a few people sweating as it just went wide. Before the half hour mark the hosts again came within a whisker of the lead, McGrath again attacking finding Gleeson wide, he cut in but fired into the side netting, as the momentum was with the hosts but the ball was still eluding the back of the net. Three minutes later Wexford could say different, Ben Lynch with a long range free into the area, Dobbs got a flick on enough to see Furlong poke home for the lead at the back post, the danger was coming, another set piece seeing the hosts behind after 33 minutes. Wexford doubled their lead seven minutes later, a reverse of the opening goal, some beautiful link up play between Furlong and Dobbs, saw the man who assisted the opener roll the ball past O'Sullivan into the net, a huge shift in the dynamic of the tie with half time approaching. Kerry pressed on late in the half but chance creation was limited, they went in behind by two at the break and almost in the early exchanges of the second half could have been three behind, with Furlong firing a shot straight at O’Sullivan. Furlong netted a brace after 51 minutes, a degree of fortune in the build up as Kevin Williams and Aladesanusi both had a coming together, allowing Furlong the chance to shoot into the Kerry net and put daylight between the teams. The atmosphere had well and truly gone from the occasion after the fourth, but Kerry again had issues at the back, Graham O’Reilly trying to play out but the ball ending up at the feet of Dobbs, he remained composed to race in and score the fifth in the 73rd minute, just before Karl Chambers came close to having added a fifth. Deep into added time, Darragh Levingston fired a shot that O’Sullivan saved, his brother Connor took the corner, looping to the back post where Dobbs got a touch on for his fourth goal of the contest. Wexford ran Kerry riot all game, Kerry had no midfield, their defence put under intense pressure by a pressing Wexford side who left hardly any space for Kerry to play the ball around, leading to numerous issues all over the park, Wexford will hope this result which ends a two game losing streak can keep them in the promotion hunt.Wicked Wexford slays Kingdom
Wexford FC
| 18 | Noel Heffernan Goalkeeper |  |
| 3 | Ben Lynch Midfielder | |
| 6 | Ethan Boyle Defender | |
| 8 | Brandon McCann 2 Midfielder | 42' |
| 10 | Aaron Dobbs Forward | 40', 59', 73', 90+3' |
| 11 | Mark Hanratty 7 Midfielder | |
| 13 | James Crawford 12 Defender | |
| 15 | Danny Furlong 14 Forward | 33', 51' |
| 16 | Corban Piper Midfielder | |
| 17 | Kian Corbally Midfielder | |
| 20 | Reece Webb Defender | |
| 1 | Colm Cox Goalkeeper | |
| 2 | Darragh Levingston 8 Midfielder | |
| 4 | Hugh Douglas Defender | |
| 7 | Karl Chambers 11 Forward | |
| 12 | Matthew Dunne 13 Defender | |
| 14 | Conor Levingston 15 Midfielder |
Timeline
| 14' | Mark Hanratty Karl Chambers | |
| 33' | 15. Danny Furlong | |
| 40' | 10. Aaron Dobbs | |
| 42' | 8. Brandon McCann | |
| 51' | 15. Danny Furlong | |
| Togor Silong Graham O'Reilly | 56' | |
| Cian Barrett Alex Ainscough | 56' | |
| 59' | 10. Aaron Dobbs | |
| 6. Alex Ainscough | 62' | |
| Leo Gaxha Steven McCarthy | 65' | |
| Ryan Kelliher Kennedy Amechi | 65' | |
| Nathan Gleeson Cianan Cooney | 65' | |
| 69' | Brandon McCann Darragh Levingston | |
| 73' | 10. Aaron Dobbs | |
| 73' | James Crawford Matthew Dunne | |
| 73' | Danny Furlong Conor Levingston | |
| 12. Cianan Cooney | 82' | |
| 90+3' | 10. Aaron Dobbs |
Past Meetings
|
(Round 5)
2 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Ferrycarrig Park Wexford FC 2-1 Kerry FC |
Ground
| Mounthawk Park |
|---|
| Mounthawk Park, Tralee Rural ED, Tralee, County Kerry, Munster, Ireland |
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.
A final act for the visitors as Dobbs nets the sixth in added time and its all over
Three minutes added on
Another error at the back from Kerry and its 5-0, hat trick for Dobbs
First act for Ainscough sees him booked
4-0 Wexford as Aaron Dobbs pokes home a Crawford corner
Its three as Furlong pounces on a clash between two Kerry defenders and he strokes home
Wexford almost score a third straight into the second half as Danny Furlong fired at O'Sullivan
Second half underway
Half Time in Tralee
Four minutes added time to end this half
Brandon McCann is shown the first card of the night
Beautiful link up play between Furlong and Dobbs, sees Dobbs roll the ball pat O'Sullivan into the net
Its been coming and Danny Furlong has the visitors ahead, quickest at the back post to find the back of the net
Piper heads over after a free header as Wexford again have the danger
Another big chance for Kerry, McGrath again attacking finding Gleeson wide he cuts in but fires into the side netting
Ethan Boyle tries his luck shooting a long range free kick from the half way line that does cause O'Sullivan issues but goes wide
Plenty appeals here for a penalty as Brandon McCann blocks a Nathan Gleeson shot, a terrific block but strong appeals turned down for a penalty, he is down receiving treatment
A first real chance for Kerry, Sam Aladesanusi headed clear, Nathan Gleeson raced up field, played a pass to Sean McGrath who fired over, that was followed by a Ryan Kelliher cross that Noel Heffernan gathered
Change for Wexford as Karl Chambers replaces Mark Hanratty who has been struggling with an injury
Some terrible Kerry defending allows Wexford another chance at goal, McCann fires a shot given plenty space but down is Aaron O'Sullivan to save
Wexford send a dangerous free into the box where Ethan Boyle heads across, McCann and Dobbs both lurking but Kerry defend well, the ball hits the hand of Corban Piper and Kerry win a free out
Chance for Wexford as Reece Webb crosses dangerously to the back post where Danny Furlong heads wide
Kick off in Tralee
Ten minutes to go until kick off here in Tralee
Just the four wins so far this season for the visitors from the South-East, three points would be a welcome bonus for them this evening, they are five behind Athlone in fifth spot, if they grab three this evening they would leapfrog Longford, at least for 24 hours, keeping the pressure on the sides above, such as Treaty and Athlone themselves
Wexford are strong in all areas of the pitch, investing well in the off season, they have a top quality squad looking to end a stint in the First Division that began in 2017, following their relegation a year prior, former manager Damien Locke, now applies his trade back in his home county overseeing the Kerry FC academy, he took over as manager after Shane Keegan departed the club after their relegation that season.
Having lost their last two encounters, Wexford are in search of a win to boost their morale as they had been in the race for promotion when the season began and since then have slowly fallen off track. They were well beaten on Friday night, as Longford were 3-0 winners in Ferrycarrig Park, that came off the back of suffering a 2-0 defeat to leaders Galway at Eamonn Deacy Park, they had started the month well with a 1-0 win at Waterford and a 1-1 draw with Bray, but have since found it tough.
Wexford come to Kerry out of form and need a win to get back on the race for promotion, it has been a difficult few years for the side, they have made great progress in returning back to the top flight and last season ended the season in 6th position, failing to reach the playoffs but a noted improvement on previous seasons.
Since drawing with Finn Harps back at the start of April, Kerry have lost their last three home games, tonight being the first of a back to back home experience for supporters, with the Kingdom hoping to make it a famous night.
Much more well organised, Kerry equipped with a host of young stars, will look to be a tough opponent tonight, they have now started to click and getting that first win momentum has shifted for them and Wexford will for sure have a tough first tip down to Mounthawk Park.
Kerry come off the back of a tough home defeat to Bray, now looking to bounce back and claim a maiden home win this season, following their showing against Athlone, saw them finally clinch three points.
Kerry name an unchanged line up for this evenings game, while Wexford make two changes, Matthew Dunne drops out at centre half for James Crawford, while Conor Levingston drops out for the experienced Danny Furlong
A warm welcome from a sun drenched Mounthawk Park, as Kerry FC welcome Wexford for the first time this season as the home side are bidding to win their first game at this venue, while Wexford are trying to bounce back from back to back defeats, my name is Diarmuid Kearney and I will update all of this evenings events, an evening for the factor 50