Opportunity knocks for Wexford on and off the pitch as club get set for FAI Cup semi-final showdown

Wexford FC have the tools to pull off a Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-final upset this weekend and coupled with enticing future plans off the pitch, progression to the final would spur on a potentially exciting time for the club and area, according to former Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic goalkeeper Barry Murphy.

James Keddy's side are the only SSE Airtricity Men's First Division team left in this year's competition and will face Drogheda United in the semi-final on Sunday (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 2.45pm) with the prize being an Aviva Stadium showpiece against either Bohemians or Derry City on 10 November.

The club, whose only season in the Premier Division came back in 2016, nine years after they were founded as Wexford Youths, will be heavy underdogs against a Drogheda side who have made real headway in putting daylight between themselves and beleaguered Louth derby rivals Dundalk in the battle to avoid automatic relegation from the top flight.

Wexford, meanwhile, beat UCD 2-0 on Friday to tighten their grip on a promotion play-off spot, having also finished comfortably inside the First Division top five last season.

Off the pitch, in conjunction with Wexford County Council and South East Technological University (SETU), last November the club announced plans to build a new stadium in Wexford town, with a capacity of 4,000 to 6,000. It would mean moving in closer proximity to Wexford town in comparison to their current Ferrycarrig Park ground. Funding of €373,841 has also been recently allocated through the Sports Capital Grants.

While the prospect of Wexford playing at a new venue is still years away, with the club also applying for €5.5 million in funding from the Department for Sport, putting the club up