Under-14 side well beaten by Offaly

OFFALY 5-6, WEXFORD 1-4: Wexford kicked off their Leinster ladies’ football Under-14 championship campaign with a disappointing loss to hosts Offaly in Cloghan on Saturday.

The Slaneysiders, who are in Group B alongside Longford and Westmeath, as well as last weekend’s opponents, competed well in the first-half but the quality of their opponents began to tell as the game wore on.

Wexford certainly weren’t helped by the news that talented captain Sinéad Kirwan was injured and unable to start the contest, leaving Cora McGrath as the only change to the 15.

Yet signs were initially good for the travellers. Orlagh Kehoe nipped up for the opening point, but slowly the Offaly pressure started to tell and Aoife Dalton netted twice and Jade Heffernan also raised a green flag for the home side.

Aoife Weafer responded with a pointed free for the Slaneysiders but the hosts hit right back through Sinéad Todd to lead by 3-1 to 0-2.

Desperately needing a response, Wexford got it when corner-forward Lauren Roban hit a beautifully-struck left-footed shot to the back of the Offaly net. It gave the girls in purple and gold real hope at the interval, trailing by five (3-1 to 1-2).

An injury to Karen Tomkins forced Wexford to bring Ciara Shannon into the action. However, the home side continued to press, with Heffernan and Dalton both netting again and Méadhbh O’Brien and Claudia Egan kicking minors.

Wexford broke their second-half duck in the 46th minute when Grace Donovan popped over a free. She soon added another minor to leave the score at 5-4 to 1-4 heading into the final few minutes.

Offaly knocked over the last couple of points but Wexford were able to clear their bench and give everyone a run which will surely stand to them as the championship continues.

Next up for the Slaneysiders is a trip to Longford on March 25.

Wexford: Nicole Gillen; Eilish O’Rourke, Emer Hunt, Anna Roche; Donna Delahunt, Polly Frost, Karen Tomkins; Katie Breen-Sherlock, Orlagh Kehoe (0-1); Aoife Weafer (0-1 free), Leah Kidd, Emma Tomkins; Grace Donovan (0-2 frees), Cora McGrath, Lauren Roban (1-0). Subs. (all used) – Kate O’Reilly, Sinéad Kirwan (capt.), Aoife Cullen, Ciara Shannon, Laura Byrne, Grace Roche, Leah O’Rourke, Olive Curtis, Tracey Furlong, Tara Murphy, Laura Banville, Emma Lynch, Aisling Comiskey.