Wexford boys lift the cup
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WEXFORD WERE celebrating at the weekend after lifting the U-15 Umbro Galway Cup at Salthill Devon's Drom Soccer Park. The Slaneysiders put on a brilliant display of attacking football, scoring a remarkable 20 goals in five matches, and were equally as impressive at the back, conceding none. Their achievement is all the more noteworthy when you consider that this is the county Under-14 team and they were up against players a year older. Manager Tommy Byrne has enjoyed tremendous success with this talented squad of players over the past three years.
Two years ago they became the first Wexford side to win the Cremin Cup, they won the Bowl at the Kennedy Cup last year and this latest triumph is the icing on the cake.
The tournament began brilliantly for Wexford and they stormed to a 4-0 win over Nenagh last Wednesday, playing a free-flowing, pacy brand of football that won over many admirers.
In their next game they proved much too strong for Barna United, winning 6-0, and followed that up with a 2-0 triumph over the hosts Salthill Devon.
Wexford then faced Ballinasloe in the semi-final and easily advanced to the decider with a 5-0 victory to set up a rematch with Nenagh, who had edged out a strong Donegal side on penalties in the semi-final.
Wexford again proved too strong for the Tipperary side, this time coming out on top 3-0. The win was a fitting tribute to the late Jack Carthy who had a huge impact on schoolboys soccer in the county.
A minute's silence was held across the whole tournament in memory of Jack, a testament to the high regard in which he was held in soccer circles the length and breadth of the country.
Manager Tommy Byrne was assisted by Martin Lynch, David Byrne and Anne Marie O'Neill.
