|
|
 |
You are > Home > Few fringe benefits in second-half collapse
|
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Few fringe benefits in second-half collapse
Carlow 1-15 Wexford 2-8
YOU’D HAVE been classed “insane” had you predicted anything other than a Wexford victory after they charged ahead by 2-7 to 0-5 at the interval – but then came an unbelievable second-half collapse by the purple-and-gold as neighbours Carlow stormed back to capture the O’Byrne tournament Shield title in Sunday’s derby decider at Tinryland.
While the astute tactical changes by Carlow boss Luke Dempsey during the changeover together with the sudden arrival of a strong wind which favoured the locals must be attributed to the remarkable turnaround in the Barrowsiders’ fortunes, the decline in the Wexford effort during the closing period was nothing short of shocking, especially when considering how Carlow were reduced to 14-men on 48 minutes!
Where Wexford moved with confidence and purpose during the first-half they stumbled through the second as Carlow basically cleaned them out at midfield as the hosts mined the product which led to them out-scoring the Slaneysiders by 1-10 to 0-1 and leaving some earlier Wexford optimism quite blunted.
This was a chance for the Wexford selectors to size-up their fringe-talent. But with the notable exception of teenage attacker Conor Carty (who put in a tremendous shift) they gained little benefits in this regard.
On top of that, certain personnel who just aren’t up to the task are still unbelievably getting massive game-time.
As this writer observed previously – it’s up to the selectors if they want to right these wrongs or instead persist with such players and therefore hinder the team’s prospects.
The only comfort is that there will be several personnel changes for the resumption of the National League at home to Sligo this weekend.
But avoiding what happened against Carlow wouldn’t have done any harm, and Wexford really did as they should have in the opening-half as they made light of what was basically a Carlow ‘B’ team only three regulars started for them.
Wexford started with seven of the team which beat Offaly, while another three of the players are of the ‘experienced’ variety.
After a spell of finding their feet and twice exchanging points (with Ben Brosnan and captain Eric Bradley obliging) Wexford began to get into their stride as the impressive Ciarán Deely sandwiched a second personal Brosnan point (free) with similar scores (0-5 to 0-2).
The sides again swapped minors before Wexford found the net.
Wing-back Dylan Kehoe switched the ball out to the left where it passed through a defender’s fingers and down to Brosnan, who cut in before slotting home on 25 minutes.
Collie Byrne tagged on a point before Carlow were again floored.
This time Conor Carty did good work before Adrian Flynn goaled from close range for a 2-7 to 0-3 lead after 31 minutes. Carlow made some in-roads before the break with a couple of unanswered points.
But nobody anticipated what was to follow, even after Carlow had strengthened their hand by introducing four key players for the new half, most notably Alan Curran and Simon Rea.
It was obvious with the wind building that Carlow were going with a long-ball strategy when they switched lanky midfielder Ken Doyle in to full-forward, and Doyle worked well, even grabbing the first score of the new half when pointing on eight minutes.
The home-side suffered a potential killer blow when attacker Eric McCormack was red-carded for a stamping offence on David Walsh (who was replaced as a result).
But that didn’t upset Carlow’s new beat one bit.
In fact, they added two more points before Johnny Kavanagh goaled at the second attempt on 54 minutes after ‘keeper Jason Russell had initially made a superb block.
What proved to be Wexford’s only score of the closing-half arrived two minutes later (a Ben Brosnan point), although it must be stressed that Wexford had other chances that were squandered.
In truth though, Carlow dominated the second 35 minutes and they tied on 1-11 to 2-8 with ten minutes left before sub Willie Minchin gave them their first taste of the lead with a point in the 61st-minute.
Simon Rea (2) and Johnny Kavanagh tagged on points, while Rea was forced to leave the field early through injury, with Carlow been left to finish with 13 men having used all their subs as Wexford were left absolutely deflated after that rich early promise.
Main News Page |
Previous Page
|
|
|
|
