Doyle returns to roots
Ireland striker in action at friendly in Ferrycarrig Park
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KEVIN DOYLE returned to his roots on Monday night as Wolverhampton Wanderers visited Ferrycarrig Park for a friendly.
The Premier League side won the match 2-1 thanks to an accomplished late strike from Republic of Ireland international Andy Keogh, but the result was of little importance as Wexford welcomed home one of its greatest sporting exports.
It was a massive night too for Mick Wallace's Wexford Youths, with the home players getting the chance to pit their wits against quality opposition, while the revenue created from the 2,700-strong crowd is also a huge boost for the club.
However, the punters were made to wait to see their hero in action as Doyle only made a cameo appearance, being introduced in the 68th minute as Wolves manager Mick McCarthy understandably kept him in reserve with the small matter of Arsenal at the Emirates awaiting on Saturday.
Doyle admitted that he would like to have had more game time but agreed that McCarthy's decision was the right one.
'It's a pity that I couldn't start and play (for longer) but it's sensible. It's two days since a tough game on Saturday (against Stoke) and we play Arsenal next Saturday and then I've got two big games with Ireland so the manager decided ten or 15 minutes would be enough, and he gave me 20 minutes in the end so I was happy with that,' he said.
Wexford Youths manager Mick Wallace also would have preferred to have seen his former player on the field for a bit longer, but says he'll have more daunting tasks ahead.
'He didn't get much of a run out but he had a hard game against Stoke on Saturday and Mick McCarthy was reluctant to take too much energy out of him tonight. He'll definitely have a lot of running to do against Arsenal this coming Saturday,' he joked.
Wallace was glowing in his praise for the Ireland striker.
'He's a great lad. His attitude is fantastic, he's wanted it all along and he's made it happen,' he said.
Wexford Youths will get back to the bread and butter of League of Ireland football at the weekend when they play their final home game of the season against Mervue United at 7.45 p.m. on Saturday.
Last Friday night's postponed fixture against Monaghan United will now be played on Tuesday, November 10, at Kingspan Century Park, kicking off at 8 p.m.
- DAVE DEVEREUX At Ferrycarrig Park
