The Last Kingdom: A Wexford FC Story.

[Soapy]

let's get to it

[Sonny]

The Irish league is a unique league. I browsed through the squad and it looks like a good number of your guys played at Waterford FC early in their career. Is there a connection between the clubs?

[RMJH4]

let's get to it

Thanks man. Good to see you are following

[RMJH4]

The Irish league is a unique league. I browsed through the squad and it looks like a good number of your guys played at Waterford FC early in their career. Is there a connection between the clubs?

Wow I appreciate you doing the research man! Yeah it really is unique. So many clubs fall away after a few seasons in the lower divison. They are adding a 3rd tier this year IRL. That should be good. Yeah so Waterford and Wexford are right beside each other. But Waterford has been such a good premier divison club for so long there is no real rivalry so players don't mind joining each club. Bray is also pretty close. Most players in the league only really sign a contract for a season and maybe move on. A few players stay longer. Most first division teams are semi pro. Only maybe Cork City has pros. Premier Divison has mostly pros, but on very modest wages.

[RMJH4]

Cobh Ramblers 1 - 1 Wexford FC | First Division highlights



Honours even as Goalkeepers save the day despite early flurry.

Wexford FC’s promotion charge started with a hard-fought point on the road as the Ferrycarrig Vikings battled back to earn a 1–1 draw against Cobh Ramblers in an entertaining First Division clash at St Colman’s Park.

The hosts struck early through Sam Taylor, but a rapid response from Aaron Dobbs ensured Wexford left Cork with a deserved share of the spoils after creating the better chances across the 90 minutes.

Early Drama Sets the Tone

Cobh wasted no time in asserting themselves. Just five minutes in, Taylor capitalised on a defensive lapse to fire the Ramblers ahead with a stunning goal, sending the home crowd into early celebration and forcing Wexford onto the front foot.

The lead lasted only four minutes.

Wexford’s response was immediate and clinical. A sharp attacking move saw Aaron Dobbs find space in the box, finishing confidently in the 9th minute to level the contest and settle the visitors after a nervy start.

Wexford Take Control

From that point onward, Wexford looked the more dangerous side. Despite conceding more possession (44%), the Vikings carved out the clearer opportunities, finishing with 11 shots compared to Cobh’s four.

Midfielders Conor Levingston and Zayd Abada helped drive the tempo, while captain Patrick McCourt marshalled the defence as the visitors limited Cobh’s attacking threat for much of the match.

Mikie Rowe proved a constant nuisance up front and was ultimately named Player of the Match, his movement and work rate causing problems throughout.


Team Lineups

Cobh Ramblers 3-5-2: T. Martin, J. Hakkinen, C. Coleman, S. Griffin (C), C. Bargary, N. O'Keefe, R. Coffey, S. Griffin, G. Nunn, S. Taylor, C. Murphy

Subs: J. Doherty for G. Nunn (45'), S. Bellis for C. Murphy (74'), E. Deasy for S. Taylor (90')

Wexford FC 4-4-2: A. Moody, D. Dunne, D. Larkin, P. McCourt (C), E. Osam, F. Wasilewski, C. Levingston, Z. Abada, C. Flynn, A. Dobbs, M. Rowe.

Subs: R. Kelly for C. Flynn (75'), D. Levingston for Z. Abada (75'), K. Harnett for F. Wasilewski (75')


Player of the match: Mikie Rowe (WEX)

A relentless attacking presence who stretched the Ramblers’ defence and played a key role in Wexford’s forward momentum.





Tactical Changes but No Breakthrough

Both managers turned to their benches in the second half in search of a winner. Cobh introduced fresh legs at the break, while Wexford made a triple change in the 75th minute to inject energy into the attack.

Despite a flurry of late pressure from the visitors and four corners to Cobh’s two, neither side could find a decisive second goal. Notably, the game was played in a competitive but disciplined spirit, with no yellow or red cards shown.

What It Means

While Cobh will be pleased with their early strike and solid defensive work, Wexford may feel they could have taken all three points after dominating the chances. Still, an away draw gets the Vikings moving forward in their push toward the top end of the First Division table — another step on their long voyage.

The Ferrycarrig Vikings showed they will be difficult to beat, and if their attacking efficiency improves, victories may soon follow.

Match Facts
56% - Possession - 44%
4 - Shots - 11
2 - Corners - 4
3 - Free Kicks - 4
0 - Penalties - 0
0 - Yellow Cards - 0
0 - Red Cards - 0

Match Events
5' S. Taylor (COB)
9' A. Dobbs (WEX)

[RMJH4]

Wexford FC 4 - 0 Bray Wanderers| First Division highlights



Wexford led to victory in home opener by Mikie Rowe.

Wexford FC delivered a statement performance in front of their home support as the Ferrycarrig Vikings swept aside Bray Wanderers with an emphatic 4–0 victory, combining clinical finishing with complete control to continue their push up the First Division table.

A dominant display saw Wexford outplay their visitors across the pitch, turning possession into goals and chances in a ruthless attacking performance that underlined their growing momentum this season.

Vikings Strike First

The hosts settled quickly into their 4-2-3-1 shape, dictating the tempo through midfield and pinning Bray deep from the opening whistle. Their pressure paid off in the 13th minute when Aaron Dobbs opened the scoring, finishing confidently after sustained attacking play gave Wexford an early advantage.

From there, Wexford controlled proceedings, limiting Bray’s opportunities while building waves of attacks through wide runners and overlapping full-backs.

Second-Half Surge

If the first half showed control, the second half showed ruthlessness.

Just four minutes after the restart, Mikie Rowe doubled the lead with a composed finish, setting the tone for a devastating spell of attacking football. Eight minutes later, Conor Levingston added a third, capitalising on Wexford’s midfield dominance as Bray struggled to cope with the intensity.

Rowe then struck again in the 61st minute, completing his brace and putting the result beyond doubt as Ferrycarrig Park erupted in celebration.

Managerial substitutions shortly after the hour mark helped maintain the energy levels, while the late introduction of fresh legs ensured Wexford saw the game out with confidence and discipline.


Team Lineups

Wexford FC 4-2-3-1: A. Moody, K. Harnett, D. Larkin, P. McCourt (C), E. Osam, C. Levingston, Z. Abada, F. Wasilewski, A. Dobbs, C. Flynn, , M. Rowe.

Subs: L. Kehir for A. Dobbs (54'), D. Levingston for Z. Abada (54'), H. Cromack for M. Rowe(83')

Bray Wanderers 4-3-3: J. Corcoran, M. Murphy, J. Tallon, K. Cantwell (C), D. Avenbaun, J. Ryan, R. Bartley, P. Cooney, E. Molloy, C. Curtis, M. Walsh

Subs: C. Knight for E. Molloy (83'), T. Considine for M. Murphy (90')


Player of the match: Mikie Rowe (WEX) 2 Goals

A relentless attacking display capped with two goals, constant movement, and a strong physical presence that troubled Bray’s defence throughout.





What It Means

This commanding victory sends a strong message to the rest of the First Division — the Ferrycarrig Vikings are finding form at the right time. With attacking confidence growing and defensive solidity intact, Wexford FC continue to look like genuine contenders in the race for promotion.

For Bray Wanderers, it was a difficult afternoon that exposed defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of cutting edge in the final third.

For Wexford, however, the longboats sail on — and after a performance like this, the promotion dream feels a little closer.

Match Facts
59% - Possession - 41%
10 - Shots - 4
5 - Corners - 1
2 - Free Kicks - 2
0 - Penalties - 0
0 - Yellow Cards - 0
0 - Red Cards - 0

Match Events
13' A. Dobbs (WEX)
49' M. Rowe (WEX)
57' C. Levingston (WEX)
61' M. Rowe (WEX)

[Sonny]

It looks like the 4-2-3-1 gave you more possession and attacking ability. Which formation do you prefer normally?

[RMJH4]

It looks like the 4-2-3-1 gave you more possession and attacking ability. Which formation do you prefer normally?

442 or 451 work best for me. But just try to analyse the best formation for my squad. I might make one or two signings, nothing major so I have to find what works best for the players I have. Major difference with the 4231 v Bray though. Cobh are much better but still a big difference in how it felt.