Women control Cork tie
CORK CITY WEXFORD YOUTHS 1 3
WEXFORD YOUTHS maintained their six-point advantage at the top of the Continental Tyres Women’s National League table with a controlled victory against Cork City in Bishopstown Stadium on Saturday.
Edel Kennedy netted in both halves and Rianna Jarrett scored for the eighth game in a row as Youths serenely moved towards their Champions League qualifying group in ominously good form.
The visitors were light on numbers for this contest, with Orla Casey, Doireann Fahey and Aoife Slattery all away on Under-19 international duty. Throw in the departure of Claire O’Riordan and the unavailability of Aisling Frawley, and Tom Elmes had a situation to manage.
He did it by bringing Katrina Parrock and Becky Conroy into the side in the wide areas. Wexford also had new signing McKenna Davidson on the bench and she was eased on for her debut with her new team three goals to the good.
After almost being caught cold in the opening minute when Danielle Sheehy fired wide, Youths settled into their game of patient, confident passing, looking to probe for gaps in the Cork City midfield and defence.
Conroy volleyed wide from Emma Hansberry’s right wing cross as the game moved into the second quarter. The longer the half wore on, the more Youths pressed, with a sustained period of pressure finally ended when Edel Kennedy slotted past Amanda Budden in the 40th minute.
The goal gave Youths a jolt of confidence after their long trip and they made it two before the break when Sophie Lenehan’s long ball bounded ahead on the hard turf and Rianna Jarrett lofted her finish over Budden to the net.
When coming out after half-time with a two-goal lead, things can change quickly. Conceded and it’s game on, score and the result is almost in the bag, and the latter is exactly what Wexford did when Kennedy volleyed home her second in the 49th minute.
Youths had other chances to add to their advantage but in the end the gallant hosts found their way in for a consolation.
Only on the field a matter of seconds, Cork substitute Eadaoin Lyons made it 3-1 with twelve minutes remaining but there was to be no dramatic revival as the visitors comfortably held on.
Wexford have a crucial league game against U.C.D. on Saturday in Ferrycarrig Park (6.30 p.m.), and with Shelbourne away to Kilkenny the following day, only a victory will be enough to maintain their tidy cushion on the chasers.
Wexford Youths: Sophie Lenehan; Nicola Sinnott, Lauren Dwyer, Orlaith Conlon, Becky Cassin; Kylie Murphy, Edel Kennedy; Katrina Parrock, Emma Hansberry, Becky Conroy; Rianna Jarrett. Subs. - Ciara Delaney for Dwyer, McKenna Davidson for Parrock, Cliodhna Ní Shé for Cassin, also Ciamh Dollard.
Cork City: Amanda Budden; Nathalie O’Brien, Danielle Burke, Mary Barrett, Saoirse Noonan, Michelle O’Driscoll, Danielle Sheehy, Maggie Duncliffe (capt.), Katie McCarthy, Zara Foley, Emma Farmer. Subs. - Éabha O’Mahony, Eadaoin Lyons, Amy McCormack, also Eva Badana.