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Thursday, November 05, 2009
A big welcome home for Kevin
Wexford Youths 1 Wolves 2
KEVIN DOYLE returned home on Monday night and 2,700 soccer supporters were in Ferrycarrig Park to greet him and Mick McCarthy’s Wolves team.
The last time Kevin had played in Wexford was in October 2001, for Adamstown’s Division 2A team against Ajax at Daphne View, Andy Doyle Close in Enniscorthy.
He has certainly moved onwards and upwards in the intervening eight years, but still values his Wexford connections as much as ever.
Wolves had agreed to the prestigious ‘friendly’ as part of the deal when signing Kevin from Reading for €6.5m But we had to wait until the 21st minute of the second half on Monday to see him in action on Wexford soil again, and when Kevin replaced goal scorer Stefan Maierhofer, he was given a great reception.
The Ireland striker didn’t score in the 25 minutes or so he was on the pitch, but you can credit the excellent Youths’ defence with playing a big part in that.
After a goalless first 45 minutes, the towering Maierhofer had given Wolves the lead early in the second half, but the Youths were right back in the game when the quicksilver Gary Sheahan levelled on 22 minutes.
Andy Keogh got the goal which he deserved when his shot was deflected to the net with 13 minutes left on the clock and that proved to be the winner.
Conor Sinnott was unlucky not to level the scores shortly afterwards, his curling shot hit the crossbar.
But the night was more about the occasion than the scoreline and autographs and interviews were very much in demand after the final whistle.
It would be remiss of me not to mention Mick Wallace in this story.
He built complex and then built the team which gave the English Premier stars a run for their money in Wexford on Monday. Who would have believed it could happen a few short years ago?
WEXFORD YOUTHS: Packie Holden, Anto Russell, David Breen, Peter White, Gareth McCurtin (Paul Rossiter 65), Paul Malone (Lee Aust 67), Shane Dempsey, Conor Sinnott, Warren Broaders (Chris Kenny 75), Gary Sheahan (Muzzi Mullen 75), Jimmy Keohane (Kevin Rowe 67). Subs not used: Pa Doyle.
WOLVES: Marcus Hahnemann, Greg Halford, Michael Mancienne, Richard Stearman, Scott Malone (George Elokobi 67), Matt Jarvis, Segundo Castilo (Karl Henry 67), Andrew Surman, Nenad Milijas (Ashley Hemmings 60); Andy Keogh, Stefan Maierhofer (Kevin Doyle 67). Subs not used: Christophe Berra, Jody Craddock.
Referee Sean Grant.
Assistant Referees: Johnny Glynn, Michelle O’Neill.
Fourth Official: Mark Hogan.
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