- Dean Hayes
- Sat, Apr 21 2012
Waterford United wonder kid Sean Maguire scored two goals to help put Wexford Youths to the sword at the RSC on Friday night in what was a rather comfortable 4-0 win for the Blues in the South-East derby. Darragh Walshe and Paul Phelan also notched for the Suirsider as they came close to reversing the embarrassing 6-0 scoreline they endured at Ferrycarrig Park on the opening night of the season.
The visiting fans began the game in fine voice, quickly evoking memories of their 6-0 demolition of Waterford on the opening night of the season, and their team seemed to follow suit during the game’s infancy. The Youths showed their intention to pass right through the heart of a much-criticised Waterford central-midfield.
It was the hosts who struck the first notable shot of the game however, as Daragh Walshe’s low effort was gathered at the second attempt by Graham Doyle in the 4th minute. This was the Blues’ first foray into their opponent’s final third and Sean Maguire’s emerging influence was to ensure it wouldn’t be their last.
The Blues’ youngster was showing all his usual trickery, pace and control and the Wexford back-line were struggling badly to keep track of the number 10 as he dropped off Walshe into the space in front of them.
The opening goal arrived from just such a passage, as Maguire got a running start at two Youths defenders; feigning one way and then shifting quickly to the other before smashing a low, left-footed effort inside Doyle’s near post.
Waterford’s burgeoning confidence was manifesting itself into some lovely football as the first half wore on, with Maguire always at the heart of their best work. In the engine room of midfield, Gary Dempsey was looking as assured as he’s been thus far in a blue jersey – he was the starting point for many dangerous attacks on the Wexford goal.
Sooner or later, the home side were going to double their narrow lead it seemed and ‘sooner’ it was as, on 33 minutes the Blues carved out another excellent goal. Dempsey’s first-time sprayed pass to the left flank was dummied by Paul Phelan, allowing the winger to create space enough to cross low into the box. Walshe was on hand to control the ball with his back to goal before, in one swift movement, spinning and curling into the far corner before his marker could react.
It was a sumptuous finish from the Blues’ number 9 and ensured they carried their lead in to the half-time break.
With their managers’ words likely ringing in their ears, Wexford began the second 45 in much more impressive fashion to the first. Finally able to establish possession and build attacks, the Youths looked a much more impressive and cohesive unit.
This new-found fluency could not save them from going even further behind however, as the visitors were undone by a set-piece, and Maguire. Gary Dempsey’s delivery from the left-hand side was flicked-on by Craig Burns to the back post where Waterford’s teenage ‘10’ was on hand to nudge home.
There was so very nearly a hat-trick for the youngster as the half wore on, too. Walshe slid Phelan into the left channel and his cross was cut back to the edge of the six-yard box for Maguire to meet with a stooping header which came back off the crossbar.
Despite the obvious Wexford improvement, they still lacked any cutting-edge in the final third as they routinely failed to turn their possession into clear-cut opportunities. Their hosts, meanwhile, continued to slice through a struggling Wexford back-line almost at will and had their fourth with four minutes remaining as Phelan coolly slotted home to secure all three points and exact some revenge for that opening night humiliation.
Waterford United: Packie Holden; Paul Carey, Craig Burns, Seamus Long, John Frost; Ben Ryan, Gary Dempsey, Peter White (Peter Keegan 88), Paul Phelan; Sean Maguire (Aidan McGrath 80); Daragh Walshe (Peter Higgins 88).
Subs not used: Robbie Hughes, Conor Coad, Dylan Mernagh, Gary Dunphy.
Yellow Cards: Paul Phelan (55), John Frost (76).
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Brian Nolan (Mark Phelan 82), Jamie Carr, CJ Browne, James Darmody; Dean Broaders, Shane Dempsey, Aidan Keenan, Craig Wall; Tom Elmes (Shane Nolan 69), Danny Furlong (Paul Malone 69).
Subs not used: James Scallon, Eric Molloy, Thomas Croke, Sean Corcoran.
Yellow Cards: Shane Dempsey (25), Craig Wall (45+1), James Darmody (48)
Red Card: Shane Dempsey (90+2)
Referee: Conor Fitzgerald.
Attendance: 540
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Sean Maguire (Waterford United).
