Cabinteely FC became a League of Ireland club only 38 days ago but their rushed preparation for their first ever season did not show tonight as John McKeown’s first half goal secured the three points on an historic night for the club and the League of Ireland.

Cabinteely FC became a League of Ireland club only 38 days ago but their rushed preparation for their first ever season did not show tonight as John McKeown’s first half goal secured the three points on an historic night for the club and the League of Ireland.

An almost sell-out crowd of over 1,300 (estimate) turned up at Blackrock RFC in Stradbrook to cheer ‘Cabo’ on and Eddie Gormley’s young team didn’t disappoint.

The pre-match pyrotechnics and fireworks display whetted the appetite while the players were led onto the pitch by a bag-piper, surely a League of Ireland first.

Cabinteely have offered a number of players a second chance to play in the league and the excellent John McKeown is one of those. Spells at UCD and Dundalk U19s ended with no first team contract but his winning goal in the 43rd minute has already repaid Gormley’s faith in the 21 year old midfielder.

Wexford have been tipped by many to earn promotion to the Premier Division but even the introduction of star striker Danny Furlong in the second-half couldn't get them the goal they needed.

But the night was all about the league’s newest club. Last night’s attendance is sure to have been bolstered by the build-up and uniqueness to the game but if they can continue to win games and get people through the gates, the widespread criticism of their addition to the league will soon go away.

6 March 2015; Supporters watch on during the game. Airtricity League, First Division, Cabinteely FC v Wexford Youths. Blackrock College, Stradbrook Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE 6 March 2015; The Cabinteely FC and Wexford Youths teams walk out ahead of the game. Airtricity League, First Division, Cabinteely FC v Wexford Youths. Blackrock College, Stradbrook Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE 2 March 2015; Pat Finnerty, President of Cabinteely FC, sets up the nets before the match against Elizabethtown Town College, Pennsylvania. Pre-season Friendly, Cabinteely v Elizabethtown College Pennsylvania, Blackrock College RFC, Stradbrook Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Cody Glenn / SPORTSFILE 2 March 2015; The goal posts are set up at Blackrock Rugby Club ahead of the game. Pre-season Friendly, Cabinteely v Elizabeth Town College Pennsylvania, Blackrock College RFC, Stradbrook Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Cody Glenn / SPORTSFILE 6 March 2015; Aaron Brilly, Cabinteely FC, in action against Philip Drohan, Wexford Youths. Airtricity League, First Division, Cabinteely FC v Wexford Youths. Blackrock College, Stradbrook Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE 6 March 2015; Cabinteely FC's John McKeown celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game. Airtricity League, First Division, Cabinteely FC v Wexford Youths. Blackrock College, Stradbrook Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE 2 March 2015; Cabinteely FC players warm up before their match against Elizabethtown College, Pennsylvania. Pre-season Friendly, Cabinteely v Elizabethtown College Pennsylvania, Blackrock College RFC, Stradbrook Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Cody Glenn / SPORTSFILE

Cabinteely FC – Whelan; Brilly, Ekenem, Maloney, McGlynn; O’Neill, Finnegan, McKeown, Knight; Buckley (Cairns, 75); Pender.

Wexford Youths – Doyle; Whittle, Grace, Delaney, Comerford; Molloy, Higgins, Wall (Furlong, 52), Drohan (McCabe, 79); Bonner; English (Darmody, 79).

Ref – Simon Rogers (Dublin)

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