MMI.IE WOMEN’S CUP FINAL AND DIVISION 3 FINAL Cup joy for Sky Blues
LADIES’ SOCCER Martina nets double as North End edge out Ferns United
DESPITE the atrocious weather conditions, both these sides managed to produce a game that was more than worthy of a cup final.
Although the rain never relented, the main pitch in Bunclody stood up to the test and both sides set into the game at a furious pace.
Although both sides had chances to score early on, Ferns United took the lead on 21 minutes when Mary O’Neill sent the ball to the bottom corner of the net.
Division One champions North End did not allow this to deter them and they stuck to their task against arguably the best-ever side to play in Wexford.
It was 25 minutes into the second-half before North End got their reward when top scorer Martina Pender shot to the net to bring the sides level.
Ferns were still enjoying the lion’s share of the possession but were unable to break down a well-marshalled opposition defence, while North End always looked capable of scoring when the chance presented itself.
The inevitable happened on 90 minutes when Martina Pender once again found herself in space to send the ball to the net for what proved to be the winning goal, bringing the Wexford Women’s Cup back to North End United for the first time.
No amount of rain could dampen the celebrations from the Wexford town girls when referee Pat Sinnott eventually sounded the final whistle, and the sportsmanship shown by the Ferns players and management is also to be commended.
League Chairman Daire Doyle presented the cup to the victorious side, while North End’s Aoife Tormey picked up the player of the match award