Four wins on trot for ladies
WEXFORD MEATH 3-13 0-14 WEXFORD PRODUCED their best performance of the season to date to dismantle Meath and move within touching distance of a semi-final place in Division 3 of the Lidl ladies’ football National League at Stamullen on Sunday.
Anthony Masterson’s side have now won four games on the bounce and are brimming with confidence, despite opening up their campaign with a narrow loss to a still unbeaten Tipperary team.
The victory was based on an efficient team effort, with fine contributions all over the field. In defence, Clonee defender Marguerite Doyle was excellent, while Maeve Quill added plenty of experience when she came on for the injured Ciara Corrigan.
The Shelmalier defender had to be withdrawn in the first-half after an innocuous coming together and was brought to nearby Beaumont Hospital for evaluation. Fortunately, the early fears of a broken leg proved to be unfounded.
Before that, Meath got off the a bright start and led by 0-2 to nil after early points from Niamh Gilhooley and Kate Byrne. Fiona Rochford then opened her account in the seventh minute after Catríona Murray was fouled.
Blathnaid Kehoe made it 0-3 to 0-1 but that was the last time her side scored while ahead. Murray got off the mark to round out the opening quarter and Chantelle Martin pointed to level the scores.
With the hosts down to 14 after a sin-binning, Adamstown clubwoman Martin then succulently lobbed the home ‘keeper for the game’s opening goal.
The goalscorer, and Murray, would later see yellow for Wexford in what was a physical but fair game.
Clara Donnelly, who ended with an exceptional five points from wing-back, popped over a brace and Catríona Murray also registered before the break to make it 1-6 to 0-5 at the change-around.
Kehoe was on target for the hosts early in the second-half but Wexford continued to play a good brand of football, using the kick pass to perfection as they extended their lead.
Rochford notched further points before Wexford netted again. For the second time it was red-hot Martin with the powerful finish after great build-up play by former Kerry All Star nominee Bernie Breen.
A Rochford score from play, plus another double from the deadly Donnelly, gave Wexford a 2-11 to 0-7 lead at the end of the third quarter. Meath were always going to gave a spell and they kicked some nice points in the final quarter.
However, it was massively important for the Slaneysiders to finish off the tie with a third goal, and they were able to do just that when more solid work in the middle by Breen allowed Rochford to find Murray who raced 30 yards at goal and thumped to the hosts’ net.
Meath did claw themselves within seven after Niamh O’Sullivan points, but Emer Cahill came off the bench for a late score and Donnelly ended her fine afternoon with another point to ensure that Wexford moved to twelve points in the table.
Masterson’s side host struggling Down on Sunday afternoon, knowing victory will rubber-stamp a last four spot.
The final group game will follow seven days later when Wexford travel to Roscommon.
Wexford: Mary Rose Kelly; Ciara Corrigan, Marica Cullen, Marguerite Doyle; Clara Donnelly (0-5), Róisín Murphy, Georgina Hearn; Bernie Breen, Kellie Kearney; Ellen O’Brien, Fiona Rochford (capt., 0-4, 3 frees), Siobhán Cloake; Chantelle Martin (21), Aisling Murphy, Catríona Murray (1-2). Subs. - Maeve Quill for Corrigan, inj., Fiona Rowe for Cloake, Emer Cahill (0-1) for Rochford, also Sarah Merrigan, Brídín Doyle, Sarah Harding-Kenny, Ann Byrne, Rachel Bennett, Elaine McCabe, Eleanor Neville, Lorraine Breen, Niamh Butler, Niamh Mernagh, Maria Byrne, Triona Sinnott. CLUB RESULTS Division 1 league: Crossabeg-Ballymurn 4-9, Kilmore 1-4; Clonee 3-6, Adamstown 0-5.
Division 2 league: Shelmalier ‘B’ 2-7, Fethard 2-3; Clonard/Volunteers 4-17, Kilanerin 1-3; St. James’ 3-14, Gusserane 0-1.
Division 3 league: 4-7, St. Martin’s 3-8. HWH-Bunclody