Spoils shared with Laois

WEXFORD LAOIS 1-7 1-7

WEXFORD CONTINUED their unbeaten start to the Leinster ladies’ football Under-14 Group B campaign with an exciting draw against competitive hosts Laois in Portarlington.

It was an important draw for Wexford as, having picked up the points with an impressive win away to Westmeath in their opening encounter, they are still right in the hunt to finish top of the group with a game against Offaly to come.

The Slaneysiders opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a point from Gráinne Ní hAilín. Peter O’Brien’s side followed it with another through Caoilfhionn Ní Núalláin before Laois responded with a minor from Niamh Conroy.

The visitors were showing their quality in attack and tenacity in defence, and added another fine point from the boot of Ní Núalláin.

Soon the Ballygarrett hotshot added her third point from a free to give Wexford 0-4 to 0-1 lead with 14 minutes played.

The home county hit back with a free from Jess Whelan, and then had a goal disallowed a shortly before Whelan added another pointed dead-ball.

Wexford responded again with a point from Nicole Gillen to re-establish a two-point advantage.

After a fine attacking move, the girls in purple and gold won a penalty but Ní Núalláin saw her spot kick crash off the crossbar and the rebound saved by Jenna Griffin.

Another Whelan free shortly after meant that Wexford led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval.

Laois got the first score of the second-half with another Jess Whelan point.

The hosts’ star forward then traded points with Gráinne Ní hAilín to see the sides deadlocked at six apiece.

Wexford trailed for the first time when Whelan registered yet again, but it jolted the visitors into life and they responded again with an excellent goal from Ní hAilín. The lead lasted only a few moments as Niamh Conroy replied in kind at the other end.

With Laois now leading by 1-7 to 1-6, the hosts missed a penalty before Wexford hit the woodwork at the other end.

However, Ní Núalláin popped up with a fitting equalising point to ensure the game finished in a hard-earned draw.

Wexford: Erin Carley; Evelyn Burke, Amy Tobin-Cosgrave, Caitlin Garnett; Robyn O’Connor, Martha Kavanagh, Aobhe Manley; Karen Tompkins, Cora McGrath (capt.); Nicole Gillen (0-1), Leaih O’Rourke, Róisín Hughes; Megan Dee, Caoilfhionn Ní Núalláin (0-4, 1 free), Gráinne Ní hAilin (1-2). Subs. - Leah Furlong for Manley, Mia Davy Edmunds for Garnett, Imogen Deas for Kavanagh, Aobhe McSweeney for O’Rourke, Katie Law for McGrath, Priya DalyO’Toole for Gillen, Saidhbhe Byrne for McSweeney, also Keevy Kinsella, Sinéad Roche.

Laois: Jenna Griffin; Laura Dempsey, Fial Dalton, Cara Aird; Ellen Conroy, Emma Hickey, Anna Keane; Sarah Hynes, Sinéad Goode; Kerri Smith, Kate O’Reilly, Danielle Brennan; Holly Langford, Niamh Conroy (1-1), Jess Whelan (0-6, 5 frees).

Referee: Jason Corcoran (Kildare).