THE WOLVES game has come and gone. It was a positive experience for both clubs and that's important. The young Wexford Youths players will not forget it and hopefully the opportunity to play against Wolves will facilitate their development. A great crowd turned out on the night despite the weather and it should be acknowledged that a lot of people gave of their voluntary time to help make it happen.

Meanwhile, back in the real football world, the Youths must travel to Monaghan this week and play their senior game at home to Mervue on Saturday night. It has been a long season for everyone. The season is only starting for the Under-18s. Last Saturday we played away to Evergreen in the second round of the FAI Youth Cup and it was an epic struggle, with the Youths coming up with the perfect 1-0 scoreline thanks to some individual brilliance by Jimmy Keohane.

Away from home, small pitch, surface very different to our own, a vocal crowd and a very strong, well-organised Kilkenny side. Thankfully, the local referee, Nicky Marnell, was good. And fair. Best for the Youths on the day were Shane Sinnott, Martin Kehoe, Kevin Rowe and Jimmy Keohane. And a good debut from Under16 player Darren Foley.

This weekend starts off on Saturday with an Inter-League Youths game away to Carlow in Tullow, which will be difficult. Added to the Wexford Youths players are Lee Chin and Dermot Flood (Wexford Bohs), Jimmy O'Leary and Tom Collins (Moyne), and Stephen Kinsella, Jamie Howard and Gary Murphy from Gorey Rangers.

On Sunday, the Under-20s take on Bray Wanderers in the quarter-finals and, of course, we have Mervue sandwiched in between. No point in complaining, just keep the conveyor belt going.