Defeat leaves ladies facing fancied Tyrone in quarters
CLARE 5-11 WEXFORD 3-9
IT’S CRUNCH time for Anthony Masterson’s Wexford side after a loss to Clare in Cahir on Sunday sent them face-first into a clash with TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate ladies’ football championship favourites Tyrone.
The Slaneysiders went into the game knowing a win would see them through to a navigable tie against Meath while a loss would hand them their biggest challenge of their season against the Ulster champions.
Maybe one plus for Wexford is that they must not fear Tyrone as they came out in this clash, between two sides that had already qualified, flat and lifeless. Things improved as the game went on but they are not built to overhaul large deficits and it proved too much of an ask.
There are a couple of things in Wexford’s favour as they head forward. All this squad of players will know that a repeat of this performance will simply not be anywhere near good enough to book a semi-final slot opposite Wicklow or Sligo.
The other point of note is that Wexford have a recent history of rising to the occasion when nobody outside the county was giving them a hope. Think back to that Leinster final against Kildare two years ago, or the huge performance against Tipperary last summer.
They didn’t win those matchups, maybe they weren’t ready to, but Wexford lifted their game to the level of sides on the brink of All-Ireland Intermediate titles and gave it a serious go. That’s what they have to hang their hat on this week.
A goal inside two minutes from Laurie Ryan got Clare off to the perfect start. Things continued to spiral for Wexford, as Ryan scored a second goal eight minutes later so, despite points from Fiona Rochford, Aisling Murphy and Caitríona Murray, they trailed by 2-6 to 0-3 after 20 minutes.
There was a revival before the break which could have been even better. Murray jinked past a string of defenders to net but missed a great chance for a second goal right on half-time as the Munster side went in 2-7 to 1-5 ahead.
Niamh O’Dea, scorer of seven points, increased the advantage, only for Bernie Breen to make the most of good work by Ellen O’Brien, cut in and from a tight angle flash home a finish to the top corner.
No sooner had Wexford pulled within three (2-8 to 2-5) than Fidelma Marrinan got in at the other end to reply in kind.
A straight red card for Clare’s Róisín Considine seemed to give Masterson’s side some hope but yellow cards for Sarah Harding-Kenny and Breen effectively wiped out that advantage.
O’Brien, Chloe Foxe and Rochford were keeping the scoreboard ticking over but Wexford fell further behind when Marrinan netted her second in the 50th minute.
Again the Leinster side responded when Niamh Moore’s ball was hauled in by Aisling Murphy and she drilled to the net.
They got within four (4-10 to 3-9) as the game drifted into added time but, chasing an improbable recovery, Wexford conceded a fifth major with Marrinan completing her hat-trick to end a miserable day for the losers.
The semi-final against Tyrone has not been confirmed but Wexford expect it will be scheduled for Birr on Saturday. Anthony Masterson is hopeful, rather than expecting, to have concussion victim Shauna Murphy fit, and it might well be a boost that his side desperately need.
Wexford: Mary Rose Kelly (capt.); Georgina Hearn, Maria Byrne, Sarah Harding-Kenny; Clara Donnelly, Niamh Mernagh, Niamh Moore; Bernie Breen (1-0), Kellie Kearney; Ellen O’Brien (01), Fiona Rochford (0-2), Chloe Foxe (0-1); Aisling Murphy (1-1), Róisín Murphy, Caitríona Murray (1-4, 0-4 frees). Subs. - Aoife Sheil for R. Murphy, Rachel Bennett for Foxe, also Sinéad Whelan, Marguerite Doyle, Niamh Butler, Ann Byrne, Cailín Fitzpatrick, Shauna Murphy, Chantelle Martin, Amy Wilson, Lauren Cousins, Clara Rochford, Niamh Dunne.