Crawford's off to a flyer with Wexford
Wexford's James Crawford celebrates scoring his side's first goal in a win over UCD Photo: ©INPHO/Dan Clohessy
James Crawford make a brilliant start to the new League of Ireland Division 1 season as Wexford FC made a winning start.
The 19-year-old left back from Ballysax just outside Suncroft, and son of Ireland Under 21 manager Jim, scored the opening goal in 3-0 away win. Aaron Dobbs and Luke Kehir added second half goals.
Despite his tender years, this will be Crawford's third year playing senior football and he couldn't have wished for a better start for the team who this season will be managed by former Ireland international Stephen Elliott.
On the Wexford bench, Naas man Alex Moody was the unused back up goalkeeper. UCD introduced their own Naas man, Colin Bolton, as a half time substitute but he couldn't stem the tide and Wexford top the table after the opening night in the division.
Elsewhere, Kilcock's Ciaran Kilduff made a winning start as manager of Dundalk. Kilduff, whose distinguished playing career including a glittering spell at Oriel Park, was taking charge of the team for the first time after guiding Athlone to a first league title in the women's division last year. Vinnie Leonard struck for the only goal of the game in the 37th minute of the win over, ironically enough, Athlone Town.
Dean Owens was an unused sub as Treaty Utd remarkably lost 3-2 at home to Cobh Ramblers despite leading 2-0 in the 84th minute.
