Brilliant Bohs in control
WEXFORD BOHEMIANS 4 CUSHINSTOWN 0
WEXFORD BOHEMIANS sailed to glory with a four-goal demolition of Cushinstown in the Division 3 Cup final in New Ross.
In truth, it may have been a tighter affair had Cushinstown’s star player, Rosie Bennett, not sustained an injury in the latter stages of the first-half.
Up until this moment, it was pretty evenly matched. Cushinstown were a constant threat in behind as Bennett’s pace made her a nightmare for the Bohs back line.
She had the game’s first real chance in the sixth minute, racing through on goal only to poke her shot past the Wexford ‘keeper and wide of the post.
Emma Flood in the Bohemians goal had to be at her best to deny Bennett in the 22nd minute as well, while Suzi Byrne was next to prevent a certain Cushinstown goal as she tackled Eimear Whelan with the goal gaping.
Bohs certainly had opportunities of their own in this time, most notably when Rebecca Ennis thumped Denise Leniston’s flickon against the crossbar.
Leniston, who was awarded player of the match at full-time, played a major role in the Bohs opener. Her shot was parried into the path of Molly Lambert who finished expertly past Anna Power in the Cushinstown net.
Bennett was still a massive threat and she pulled another save from Flood before falling heavily and eventually being forced to leave the field, much to the disappointment of the Cushinstown side.
Then, on the cusp of half-time, Leniston volleyed home Shirley Roche’s corner to give Cushinstown a monumental job in the second-half.
It was a job that without Bennett’s lightning pace appeared much too big for them.
It felt like Bohs could have scored any number of goals in the second-half. Playing up the hill in New Ross allowed their balls in behind the Cushinstown defence to hold up and their dangerous attackers raced on to them.
This was the case for Wexford’s third goal just after the re-start, when Lambert’s ball over the top allowed Leniston in to round the ‘keeper and finish into an empty net.
Ciara Byrne added the icing to the Bohs cake in the 68th minute, finishing confidently with one touch and giving Leniston her second assist of the game.
Wexford Bohemians: Emma Flood (capt.); Suzi Byrne, Shirley Roche, Molly Lambert, Jodie Walsh; Ciara Byrne, Noelia Tirads, Caitríona Kelly, Holly Hynes; Denise Leniston, Rebecca Ennis. Subs. - Emma McMahon for Byrne (71), Sarah Beaver for Ennis (73), Sharon Fitzgerald for Leniston (90), Laura Martin for Walsh (90), Eileen Murphy for Lambert (90), also Jessica Martin, Sylvia O’Dowd, Aideen Byrne.
Cushinstown: Anna Power; Michelle Power (capt.), Claire Dunne, Maureen Dunne, Anto Whelan; Leah Murphy, Gemma Creane, Eimear Whelan, Jade Purcell; Amie Gaffney, Rosie Bennett. Subs. - Ciara Power for Bennett (39), Katlyn Coleman for Whelan (64), Shauna Powell for Dunne (78), Michelle O’Grady for Murphy (85).
Referee: Nick Harte.