Minors fade in Longford
LONGFORD WEXFORD 3-9 3-6 WEXFORD CAME up just short in their opening fixture in the Leinster ladies’ football Minor championship as Longford came roaring back on a run of 2-7 without reply in the second-half to take the spoils in St. Mel’s Secondary School on Saturday.
With the Slaneysiders leading by 3-5 to 1-2 early in the second-half, after playing with the breeze in the opening period, the hosts proceeded to hit their stride, with two quickfire goals at the start of the period propelling them clear.
Longford opened the scoring with a point but Ann Marie Bennett hit back in the sixth minute. Again the hosts edged clear, only for Rachel Bennett to open her account with the first of a pair of majors as Wexford led by 1-1 to 0-2.
The goal kicked the Slaneysiders into life and they quickly set about building a lead. Kate Hendrick registered a couple of points and Ann Marie Bennett was also on target, allowing Wexford to ease their way clear as Longford dealt with a sin-binning.
Realistically, Wexford needed to make the most of their advantages and they looked to be doing just that when Bunclody clubwoman Kate Hendrick fired home her side’s second goal.
However, Longford quickly countered with a net-rippler of their own.
While Rachel Bennett’s point just before the interval left Wexford 2-5 to 1-2 ahead, it was her goal shortly after the re-start that looked like it might prove vital. Yet things went badly wrong for the visitors as Longford took complete control.
Painfully, the game was as good as up when Sarah Harding-Kenny registered Wexford’s second score of the period, deep into the half. It got her side within three but there was no way back as Longford advanced to the last eight.
Wexford now drop into the ‘C’ group to play for the ‘B’ and ‘C’ shield. They will go into an open draw with the other preliminary round losers, Wicklow, Louth and Kilkenny. Those ties will be confirmed in due course.
Wexford: Sally Walker; Annalise Crean, Lauren Kelly, Anastasia Breen; Ciara O’Connor, Sadbh McCarthy, Niamh Dunne; Eimear Whelan, Sarah Harding-Kenny (0-1); Fiona Kinsella, Rachel Bennett (2-1), Kate Hendrick (1-2); Ann Marie Bennett (0-2), Teghan Furlong, Cailin Fitzpatrick (capt.). Subs. - Orla Fortune for Breen, inj., also Gráinne McCabe, Sarah Figgis, Eimear O’Shea, Ciara Kinsella, Aideen Byrne, Julia Dempsey, Imogen Fanning, Rachel Scannell.
Division 1: Shelmalier ‘A’ 5-11, Adamstown 1-3; Kilmore ‘A’ 5-8, Clonee ‘A’ 3-8; St. Anne’s ‘A’ 6-9, Crossabeg-Ballymurn ‘A’ 2-11.
Division 2: Gusserane 5-6, Kilanerin 1-2; Clonard/Volunteers ‘A’ 5-9, Shelmalier ‘B’ 4-6; St. James’ 7-10, Fethard 5-7.
Division 3: Horeswood v. St. Martin’s (no result received); HWH-Bunclody 5-15, Ballygarrett 4-4; Clongeen 1-16, Clonee ‘B’ 0-2.
SAT. MARCH 11 VENUE TBC: Leinster Under-14 championship, Offaly v. Wexford.
SUN. MARCH 12 AT ST. PATRICK’S PARK: Leinster Under-16 championship, Wexford v. Kilkenny, 2 p.m.
Wexford ladies’ football wish our members involved in the H.E.C. finals next weekend all the best.