Intermediates lose second successive league encounter
WEXFORD SLIPPED to their second loss in succession in Division 2 of the Littlewoods National Camogie League against Carlow in the Netwatch Fenagh Training Centre.
The Slaneysiders came into the game knowing that a win would keep them right in contention for a place in the semi-finals. However, Carlow have been fairly miserly in defence in this league campaign and they were able to nullify the visitors’ attacking threat.
Not that it was all down to the good work of hosts’ defence. Wexford struggled in the rainy crosswind, especially inside their opponents’ ‘45. The passing was a little off and way too often the decision-making was extremely suspect.
Carlow were crafty. Their direct running won them a lot of frees from a referee who was happy to call inconsequential contact. Wexford too often tried to off-load in scoring position, usually inaccurately, before the contact came.
It felt panicked, and there was too much passing the buck from players who have two good wins under their belts already. Progress is clear but falling back into old habits in only a slight dip in confidence away.
In their last outing, Carlow edged Laois in a dour 0-5 to 0-3 struggle. This had all the hallmarks of similar from the off. Eleanor Treacy opened the scoring in the eighth minute after Rachel Sawyer had been felled.
The first time Mags Byrne got good ball, where she’s dangerous, close to goal, she rounded Niamh Canavan and was dragged down. The Carlow defender was booked, and Róisín Kelly popped over the resulting free.
Carlow had an uncanny knack of always responding to a Wexford score. Seconds later Antoinette Dowling was clattered and Tracey made no mistake. She added her third free when Ciara Kavanagh was fouled in the 22nd minute.
The game’s first score from play came in the 30th minute. Byrne again was provider, popping the pass to Aoife Sheil, and the Glynn-Barntown clubwoman nailed a long-range effort to close the gap to one.
Just before the interval whistle Niamh Walsh picked out Mairéad Sheehan but the Kilrush stalwart was right on the edge of her range and her long pot-shot tailed away with the wind to leave the game finely balanced at 0-3 to 0-2 at the break.
Within seconds of the re-start Róisín Kelly picked herself off the floor to level the game with her second free. Back came the home side to push themselves in front again with Tracey’s fourth dead-ball.
When Sheil was poleaxed in the 41st minute, Kelly made it four points apiece. True to form, Carlow responded within a minute with Tracey’s fifth free. Shannon Kavanagh proved that the hosts could register from play when scoring a nice point right at the end of the third quarter.
Kelly racked up her fourth when Sheehan was hit hard when striking the ball. The point momentarily made it 0-6 to 0-5 but again Carlow responded in kind after Ava Murphy was impeded.
Orla Molloy livened up the Wexford attack after her introduction and her superb catch from a clearance, and quick-fire shot, was the pick of the second-half points. That would prove to be her side’s final score.
Carlow added late points from Tracey and Anna Breen but Wexford had one last chance to drop a placed-ball into the goalmouth. Like most of the afternoon, the hosts dealt with it well, cleared their lines and took the points.
Wexford can still qualify for the last four but need help. A 14-point win over Derry would see them leap-frog the northerners. They would still need either Down to beat Carlow or Laois to beat Kilkenny.
If both of those results were to play out, any win for the Slaneysiders would potentially be enough. Those games will be on April 2.
Carlow: Niamh Doyle; Sarah Foley, Gráinne Nolan (capt.), Aine Ryan; Niamh Canavan, Emma Brennan, Mairéad O’Shea; Eleanor Treacy (07, 6 frees, 1 ‘45), Shannon Kavanagh (0-1); Emma Cody, Anna Breen (0-1), Ava Murphy; Ciara Kavanagh, Rachel Sawyer, Antoinette Dowling. Subs. - Kate Kinsella for C. Kavanagh (60), Róisín Meaney for Cody (60+3).
Wexford: Liza Bates; Chloe Cashe, Marie Claire Morrissey, Farren Byrne; Michelle Harding (capt.), Niamh Walsh, Aideen Brennan; Eimear Nolan, Mairéad Sheehan; Róisín Kelly (0-4 frees), Shauna Kelly, Deirdre McMahon; Mary Cummins, Aoife Sheil (0-1), Margaret Byrne. Subs. - Orla Molloy (0-1) for Cummins (41), also Emma Kiely, Nancy Dunphy, Aoife McCrea, Katie Gallagher, Derbhla Doyle, Clodagh Jackman, Róisín Cooney, Emma Codd, Aisling Cronin.
Referee: Mike Ryan (Tipperary).