Wexford Youths Women 0 – 2 Castlebar Celtic

For the third year in a row, Wexford bowed out of the FAI Senior Cup at the semi-final stage despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession in this game against a very determined and committed Castlebar side.

The game began at a frantic pace with both sides eager to stamp their authority but effectively cancelled each other for the opening fifteen minutes and although chances were at a minimum, the level of football being played was impressive.

The home side had been rocked when Maria Delahunty had to be withdrawn from the starting eleven just before the match due to illness but it allowed Claire Conlon back onto the team as she returned from injury which brought a settled look to the back four.

Keeper Mary Rose Kelly was on duty with the Wexford footballers which gave Tamara Furlong her second start of the season while manager John Flood was delighted to see all three Under 19 internationals back into the team relatively unscathed. The only other loss was Jenny Clifford who was in Romania with the Under 17 squad for the elite phase of the UEFA championships.

In front of a smallish attendance, Wexford created the first real chance of the game on twenty minutes when Katie McCarthy was unlucky not to get on the end of an Edel Kennedy through ball with visitor’s keeper Caoimhe O Reilly just getting there ahead of her.

Although the home side were enjoying more of the ball, Castlebar had them comfortably contained and reduced them to long range effort with Clare Conlon seeing her effort clear the crossbar on twenty five minutes. As the half progressed, the Mayo side began to impose themselves more on the game and Shaunagh Jackson had two efforts denied, first with a good save from Furlong and her second shot went just wide of the post.

Ciara Rossiter was causing the Castlebar defence a lot of problems down the left wing while Linda Douglas was also pressing forward and both were unfortunate not to have seen one of their crosses being converted into a goal.

Deirdre Doherty probably got the best chance of the half when she found space just before half time but a well-timed tackle by tenacious defender Lucy Sherwin saw her take the ball off her toe bringing the half to a scoreless conclusion.

The second half saw the visitors become more dominant as their physicality began to tell on the home side with Doherty becoming more troublesome up front while Shauna Jackson continued to torment the Wexford defenders. Edel Kennedy had a shot just off target for Wexford before the breakthrough finally came when the home side were unable to scramble the ball clear and Jackson poked the ball just in beside the post to give Castlebar the lead.

The home side tried to react but Castlebar were now in control and in no mood to let it slip and with five minutes remaining, Emma Hansberry floated in free kick which Doherty glanced to the net and effectively ensure their place in the final.

Both sides produced a good honest entertaining game in front of an attendance of just under a hundred as several of the usual supporters had travelled to Croke Park to support the football team. At the end Castlebar probably did just enough to deserve their place in the final against Raheny United with Deirdre Doherty, Emma Hansberry and keeper Caoimhe O Reilly all looking impressive.

Wexford will be disappointed to fall at the last four stage once again but will be delighted with the performances of Ciara Rossiter, Jessica Gleeson and Linda Douglas who all gave a one hundred per cent in what ironically could go down as the team’s best performance this season.

Castlebar return to Ferrycarrig next Sunday for a league match with both sides chasing the three points to keep in touch with the top two

Wexford Youths Women: Tamara Furlong, Claire Conlon, Lauren Dwyer, Jessica Gleeson, Lucy Sherwin, Ciara Rossiter, Linda Douglas (Julia Testorp), Ashling Frawley (Rachel Hutchinson), Niamh Nolan, Katie McCarthy (Maria Delahunty), Edel Kennedy

Castlebar Celtic: Caoimhe O Reilly, Yvonne Hedigan, Nicole Fowley, Kim Flood, Aisling Egan, Rachel King, Shaunagh Jackson, Deirdre Doherty, Sara McGeough, Emma Hansberry, Rachel Kearnes.   Maz Sweeney, Niamh Kerins, Trisha Coyle, Hayley Dierke

Referee: Gerry Boland

Attendance: 95 (estimated)