Women bounce back
Limerick hit for six in rout on the road
WEXFORD YOUTHS bounced back to winning ways in the SO Hotels Women’s National League, defeating Limerick with an early goal blitz in Markets Field on Sunday.
The Ferrycarrig Park side made the long trip but for a while it looked like it might be in vain as overnight rain left the pitch close to unplayable.
There was still a little surface water present when the game kicked off, but Youths will be delighted to get the fixture in the books after the long journey.
Manager Tom Elmes made four changes to the side that succumbed to Peamount. After a difficult evening in the capital two weeks earlier, Sophie Lenehan was taken out of the spotlight, replaced by Maeve Williams in goal.
Aisling Frawley was unavailable and her place was taken by the solid Becky Cassin, with Lauren Dwyer switching to centre-back for the rested Nicola Sinnott.
Aoife Slattery took the holding role in midfield after her international adventures, while Katrina Parrock replaced McKenna Davidson on the wing.
Cassin and Parrock were immediately involved as Wexford took an early lead. The former came forward with possession, fed Lauren Kelly on the right edge of the box, and she whipped her cross to the back post to Parrock.
The returning winger fed the ball back across goal where Kylie Murphy turned it home.
With nine minutes on the clock Parrock made it two, doing great work after being picked out by Orlaith Conlon and then curling an excellent finish high past Karen Connolly.
Maeve Williams made a couple of solid saves from Sylvia Gee and Lauren Keane to keep Wexford clear as the hosts looked for a way back into the game.
Any little hope they had was ended when Rianna Jarrett scored three goals in four minutes to wrap the game up before 30 minutes was on the clock.
She netted the first from a low 25-yard free-kick after Parrock was fouled, and the second followed moments after tip-off after she charged down the defender, powered clear, rounded the ‘keeper and slotted home.
The third was compliments of good play from Lauren Kelly and Edel Kennedy and ended with Jarrett’s shot deflecting past Connolly.
Limerick’s pace was still problematic on the break and Williams had to tip over again before halftime. At the other end Rianna Jarrett had a potential fourth, a header from Kelly’s cross, chalked out for offside.
After an excellent first-half, Katrina Parrock was forced off with a head injury but Wexford went on to manage the half without too much to worry about.
After making an impressive impact against Peamount, Vanessa Ogbonna came on for Kennedy and opened her Wexford account, heading home from Doireann Fahey’s left-wing delivery.
Sylvia Gee did pull a goal back with a well-hit shot from the edge of the area midway through the second-half. Rianna Jarrett hit the bar but six was enough for Wexford as they got back to winning ways.
Youths face Kilkenny at home this Saturday (6.30 p.m.) before meeting the same opponent in the League Cup quarter-finals seven days later. The critical clash with Shelbourne will be the next away league game on May 11.
Wexford Youths: Maeve Williams; Becky Cassin, Lauren Dwyer, Orlaith Conlon, Doireann Fahey; Aoife Slattery; Lauren Kelly, Edel Kennedy, Kylie Murphy (capt.), Katrina Parrock; Rianna Jarrett. Subs. - Ciara Delaney for Parrock, Vanessa Ogbonna for Kennedy, Sarah McKevitt for Dwyer, also Sophie Lenehan, McKenna Davidson, Nicola Sinnott, Ciara Rossiter.
Limerick: Karen Connolly; Meg Brennan, Marie Curtin, Shannon Parbat, Carys Johnson (capt.), Sophie Liston, Megan Kelleher, Lauren Keane, Clodagh Doherty, Sylvia Gee, Chloe Wills. Subs. - Amber Kenny for Wills, Anna Shine for Brennan, Maura Shine for Parbat, also Alannah Mitchell, Chloe Connolly, Shauna Rooney, Médbh Ryan.
Referee: Dermot Broughton (Limerick).