Monday, 2nd April 2012 A busy football weekend, a good football weekend. Four wins out of four was good going and brought much pleasure. Shane Keegan and his players have made a great start to the new campaign, riding high in the First Division - all of a sudden, we expect them to win games rather than lose them - and they never looked looked like losing to Mervue on Friday night, with Dean Broaders and Danny Furlong providing the goals. On Saturday, the Youths 19's had a vital 2-0 win over Bohemians from Dublin, moving out of the relegation zone for the first time this season. It's so important that we stay in the top Elite division for next season when we hope to have a very good side - all of this years 19's are under 18 except Craig Mc Cabe and Aidan Lehane and have benefited enormously from the experience - we have struggled this year in the 19's as the players have had to play twice most weekends, as well as conceding a year in age to our opponents, but as our place in this seasons All Ireland semi- final of the FAI Youths will testify, the players have developed well. Goals early in the game from Craig Mc Cabe and Chris Fenner did the business against Bohs, and the unit was solid enough to keep the visitors at bay and secure the three points. That same afternoon the same players had to play again in a Wexford League game against Ross Celtic and managed to come from behind with two second half goals from Chris Fenner and Danny Fitzpatrick, in reply to Ryan Delaneys opener for Ross. We remain joint top with Moyne Rangers and a play off is looking likely - in the last four years the title has been won twice by Moyne and twice by the Youths, the title going to the last game each season. We have found it so difficult to win games this season, getting wins or draws with late goals, the League has been very competive - clubs should take heart from the fact that they can more than challenge a League of Ireland side. On Sunday it was the turn of the Wexford County 16's who completed a good weekend with a 4-1 win over the Carlow 16's. A good game of football right through - Wexford led 1-0 at half time, an excellent corner kick from Daryl Powell was powerfully headed home by Donnacha O Connor. Further goals in the second period by Nevin Rossiter, Mikey Rowe and Ross Riordan in reply to Carlows one sets the 16's up nicely for their trip to Italy this week where they will play in a tournament in Torino, eat lots of pasta and salad, discover that there is more than one way of looking at things and see that others are entitled to their point of view. Fora Italia. Fora Youths. Mick Wallace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, 26th March 2012 It's 17 years since our first All Ireland semi final when we lost on penalties to Mayo League - never to be forgotten, such was the heartbreak - but we try not to lose on penalties any more, we've now won 15 in a row, over the last 6 years. Last Saturday, Dale Scallon, Rajiv Kumar,Chris Fenner and Gary Delaney showed their mental worth as they powered home their penalties, so we didn't need the 5th from Danny Fitzpatrick who would have scored as well. It was an intense game of football between two good sides, the Youths dominating the first half, Mervue having the better of the second. Referee Gavin Keyes was hardly noticed, which means he had a good game. Chris Fenner's goal on the half hour was a piece of beauty, Brandon O Callaghan's finger tip save just after it was vital. We created several good scoring chances but failed to convert them- Mervue were glad to hear the half time whistle. The second period was different as our energy was used trying to contain the visitors. We defended well only to concede an equaliser in injury time - devastating to say the least. It was a tall order for the Youths to pick themselves up and reinvent their game, but they did. We were back in control for extra time and played our way to penalties. Ah yes, penalties, how I love them. No better way to win a game - the ultimate mental test. We introduced our sub keeper Shane Sinnott who was destined to be a hero and duly saved a penalty. A good team performance all round and unfair to pick out players but Dale Scallon, Rajiv Kumar and Conor Mc Carney deserve special mention. A great day, an emotional day with tears on both sides. Away to Waterford Bohs in the semi final - I'm nervous about it all ready. Mick Wallace.
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