Wexford win fierce battle
Westmeath await in decider
WEXFORD LONGFORD
WEXFORD advanced to the Leinster Ladies Football Under-14 B final with victory in a frantic battle against Longford in O’Kennedy Park, New Ross on Saturday afternoon last.
From the first whistle to the last this game swung back and forth, with neither side ever able to settle, knowing they had control. However, there was one big difference between two very committed teams.
Wexford, who had nine different scorers on the afternoon, had a multitude of weapons that could hurt the visitors. On the other hand, Longford were reliant on a few girls to do all the damage, with Melissa O’Kane, far and away the best player on the pitch, almost unmarkable.
The hosts came into this game on the back of a strong 5-17 to 3-7 win against Offaly. Megan Dee nabbed 2-2 in that contest, Caoilfhionn Ní Nuallain scored 2-1, Sinead Roche got 1-5 and Leah Furlong, Aoibhe MacSweeney, Roisin Hughes, Priya Daly O’Toole (two) and Leiah O’Rourke (four) all registered points.
Wexford’s depth was clearly shown as four different players made the scoresheet in the first half of this game. Laura Valentire’s goal left them behind early but they went on a run started by a Robyn O’Connor point.
Roisin Hughes netted her sides first goal, Imogen Deas, Ní Nuallain and Elle Nugent all raised white flags and substitute Nicole Gillen made a immediate impact with a patient close range major to see Wexford 2-5 to 1-2 ahead.
However, with O’Kane pulling the strings, the Longford girls hit back with three goals in a little under two minutes. The sensational centre-forward scored two three-pointers and Molly Mulvihill added another to send the travelling county in 4-2 to 2-5 in front.
The break came at the right time
Wexford’s Imogen Deas in action against Longford in New Ross.
for Wexford and they responded soon after the change-around. Nugent fired them level before a Cora McGrath point put the hosts ahead.
When Katie Law drilled home a penalty with her first touch after Nugent was fouled her side led 4-6 to 4-2.
Back came Longford, again with O’Kane pulling the strings, Mulvihill and Valentire netted in a 2-2 run without reply to put the girls in blue and yellow four points ahead as the game headed into the final quarter.
At this stage there was no score for six minutes and it was clear the next would be vital. Megan Dee beat Louise Tierney in the Longford goal, then Law followed seconds later and suddenly Wexford were on fire.
Law completed her hat-trick with a free as Wexford moved into an uncatchable position with a few minutes remaining. The Slaneysiders will face Westmeath in the final on Saturday in Clane, with details to be confirmed.
Wexford: Erin Carley; Evelyn Burke, Amy Tobin Cosgrave, Mia Davy Edmunds; Robyn O’Connor (02), Cora McGrath (0-1, capt.), Karen Tomkins; Leah Furlong, Caoilfhionn Ní Nuallain (0-2, 1 free); Roisin Hughes (1-0), Leiah O’Rourke, Elle Nugent (1-1); Megan Dee (1-0), Imogen Deas (0-1), Grainne Ní Ailín. Subs. - Nicole Gillen (1-0) for O’Rourke (24), Caitlin Garnett for Burke (31), Katie Law (3-1, 1-0 pen, 1-0 free) for Deas (35), also, Kiva Kinsella, Aobhe Manley, Sinead Roche, Priya Daly O’Toole, Aoibhe McSweeney, Martha Kavanagh, Saidhbhe Byrne.
Longford: Louise Tierney; Aoibhinn Ginty, Leah Shannon, Emma McCord; Kate McEntire, Caoimhe McCormack, Grace Kenny; Eimear McDonagh, Funmi Tallabi; Emma Shannon (0-3 frees), Melissa O’Kane (2-2), Laura Valentire (2-0); Elle Lynn, Molly Mulvihill (2-0), Kate Shannon. Subs. - Ella Duggan for Kenny (16), Erica Cahill O’Leary for Ginty (35), Emma McGuire for Shannon (57), Claragh Shannon for Lynn (57), Michaela Hall for K. Shannon (60+1), Ella Casey for O’Kane, inj (60+1).
Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow) 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).