Wexford Youths 0-1 Sporting Fingal

Sporting Fingal came away from Ferrycarrig Park with a marvellous three points in the bag after

Ross Gaynor popped up three minutes from the time to score the only goal of the contest.
With UCD and Shelbourne both claiming victories, it was vital that Fingal matched them in order to keep pace near the top.

A frustrating night in front of goal was endured by Fingal, with Eamon Zayed, Shane McFaul and Gaynor all missing decent chances.

However, that all proved academic when, in the 81st minute, Gaynor peeled off his marker at the front post to meet an in-swinging corner from the right by Shaun Williams and planted his header past Packie Holden.

The Wexford goalkeeper had just denied Fingal a goal when he used his leg to divert a low shot onto the post and out for a corner. Seconds later, the winner had arrived.

Wexford’s Paul Malone was sent off by referee Graham Kelly nine minutes from time for his second booking, both for dissent.

Despite Fingal’s dominance, it game might have had a different complexion had the Youths been awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time. The referee initially pointed to the spot, only to change his mind moments later upon consultation with his assistant, and the resulting free-kick was wasted.

Sporting Fingal (4-3-3): Quigley; Gannon, Whelan, Frost, Fitzgerald; Kirby, McFaul, Williams; C. Byrne, Gaynor, Zayed.