U-16 seconds open on a triumphant note
WEXFORD 0-15 CARLOW 3-4
WEXFORD’S SECOND string opened their Leinster Minor ‘B’ camogie championship campaign with a classy victory over hosts Carlow in J.J. Hogan Memorial Park, Fenagh, on Sunday.
Brendan Tobin’s ‘A’ side didn’t get the chance to finish their All-Ireland campaign back in the spring when games were cancelled because of the lockdown, but the provincial championships were retained and the Slaneysiders are looking to take advantage with two teams.
This second string is loaded with talented players from around the county, and they were able to show it in this game against a physically big Carlow first string, with Catherine Kavanagh, Caoimhe Coady and Megan Conran all impressive.
In the end the class of Wexford shone through, and it’s always encouraging when a ‘B’ side gets the better of ‘A’ opposition.
While the hosts were able to get in for the odd goal, Wexford were much more consistent in their scoring and racked up an impressive tally.
They could have had a couple of majors themselves, with Donna Delahunty and Sarah Hobbert both just missing out on netting in the first-half.
The visitors did chip away with points and led by 0-5 to 1-1 at the opening water break. And with a brace each from Grace Roche, Kerri Doyle-Kinsella and Rebecca Fanning, plus scores from Ciara O’Connor, Fiona Cousins and the excellent Lisa Kelly, that lead grew to three points by the interval.
Wexford kept defending well, with Katelyn O’Connor impressing despite taking a heavy hit. They continued to tack on points at the other end, and Grace Roche ended with six to help her side on the way to a 0-13 to 2-4 lead heading into the final quarter.
The Slaneysiders were able to empty their bench in the last few minutes and give the squad a run. Katie Bates was one of them and she got her name on the scoresheet as Wexford ran out two-point victors.
Next up for Wexford ‘B’ team is a game this Saturday against Kildare in Craanford (2 p.m.), which will probably be another step up in class. The first team are in action against Dublin on Sunday, as they travel to the capital to face a side that got walloped by Kilkenny on Sunday.
Wexford: Katie Feeney; Rachel Murphy, Yvonne Kelly, Lucy Egan; Orla Bolger, Maeve Sinnott, Katelyn O’Connor; Grace Roche (0-6), Ciara O’Connor (0-1); Lisa Kelly (0-1), Sarah Hobbert, Kerri Doyle-Kinsella (0-3); Donna Delahunty, Rebecca Fanning (0-2), Fiona Cousins (0-1). Subs. - Siobhán Murphy, Olive Curtis, Katie Bates (0-1), Ava Farrell, Emma Tomkins, Miria O’Dowd. Unavailable: Shauna Owley, Muireann Doyle.