DESPITE THEIR recent fine form few expected such a quality display as Wexford Youths really turned on the style with free-flowing football and five goals into the bargin as they demolished high-flying Limerick FC in this thrilling Airtricity League Divison 1 clash at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday evening last.

There was no disputing but that this was the Wexford Youths best display of attacking football since they entered the league. One could understand the sense of joy on the final whistle as the Youths celebrated five goals for the very first time, and really it could have been seven but for two outstanding saves from visitors keeper Dave Ryan to deny the outstanding Shane Dempsey, who controlled this game from midfield.

Limerick on the verge of building a promotion challenge were rocked right back on their heels. The last thing Pat Scully's charges expected was such a hiding, but Limerick man Noel O'Connor had his homework done, as his attacking wide game, brought rich dividends and five splendid goals to see off the Shannonsiders who were shellshocked on the final whistle.

One could not fault the effort of Wexford Youths in recent games, but on this occasion they brought a new attacking dimension to their game, as their retention of possession, and quality long passing exposed the visitors back four, so much so that keeper Dave Ryan had one of his busiest games of the league campaign.

One could sense from a very early stage that Wexford Youths had intended something special for they controlled the opening 12 minutes. Dean Broaders pulled a shot across goal and just wide on six minutes, while four minutes later, Gary Sheahan, having broken down the right, sent a low ball across the face of the goal, but there was no advance player to apply the finishing touch.

Shane Dempsey did eventually get an 11th minute shot on target, powering in from 25 metres, but diving keeper Ryan got an outstretched hand to the ball tipping it on to the post and out for a fruitless corner-kick.

Limerick threatened on 13 minutes with a Shane Clakre header from a Shane Treacy freekick well handled by keeper Packie Holden. But the home side continued to attack the opposition. After 15 minutes Anthony Wolfe headed across goal, but Danny Furlong pulled his shot the wrong side of the post.

The Shannonsiders nearly broke the deadlock after 17 minutes but Martin Deedy saw his freekick rebound off the post to safety.

Two minutes later Wexford Youths deservedly went in front. Shane Dempsey played a delightful ball through to Jimmy Keohane who tucked a neat right-footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net. At the opposite end Holden save from John Tierney with Wexford Youths making it 2-0 on 30 minutes. Gary Sheahan and Jimmy Keohane were involved in the build-up with Peter White being penalised for handball. Shane Dempsey drove the penalty high into the right hand corner of the net.

Limerick were handed a lifeline in the 32nd minute. Pat Purcell powered in a header from a Shane Treacy corner-kick that was deflected past keeper Holden by Aidan McCann leaving it 2-1.

Within two minutes the home side restored their two-goal advantage with one of the best goals of the season as Shane Dempsey drilled a superb 30-metre shot to the net. Wexford Youths had a real let-off when Jimmy Keohane cleared off the line from a Purcell header following a corner.

Five minutes before the break Dean Broaders made it 4-1 finished from close range.

It looked as if the momentum was about to swing to Limerick on the resumption when halftime substitute Stephen O'Flynn forced home a Martin Deedy cross within 30 seconds of the restart. Limerick applied lots of pressure but the Wexford Youths back four in which Anthony Wolfe and Anto Russell along with Aidan McCann were superb stood firm. In a quick break out of defence, Shane Dempsey had a great 20 metre effort tipped over by keeper Ryan, while minutes earlier he denied Sheehan from close in.

On 90 minutes Wexford Youths found themselves in a delicate position for the first time when a Stephen O'Flynn header made it 4-3, but just to demonstrate their superiority, Gary Sheahan broke from halfway left the defence for dead to power home a low shot leaving it 5-3 at the end.

It was performance to savour from Wexford Youths and the 404 attendance. Now lets hope they get even more support for their next home game against Longford Town on Friday week.

For Peter White it was not a happy homecoming as the former Wexford Youths player received a straight red 20 minutes from the end for a foul on Gary Sheahan, while in additional time Jeffrey Judge was sent off on a second yellow card.

- BRENDAN FURLONG