Wexford Youths 1-6 Peamount United

Peamount bounced back from last Sunday's defeat to Raheny when their star studded line up arrived in Ferrycarrig and took the game to Wexford right from the start. The game was closer than the scoreline would suggest but the clinical finishing of the visitors was the main difference with Stephanie Roche in particular scoring two spectacular goals.

The game began evenly enough with the home side doing what they could to penetrate the visitors defence but they were unable to breakthrough a well marshalled back four and if they did, they found Monica McGuirk in no mood to make any mistakes in the goal.

At the other end, Mary Rose Kelly was busy in the Wexford goal and pulled off a marvellous save from Sara Lawlor, but the breakthrough came when Emily Cahill got her head to the resultant corner to put Peamount in front. Three minutes later it was two nil when once again the home side did not deal with a corner and Sarah Lawlor looped a header over Kelly and it was obvious that the “Peas” were eager to put the game to bed as quickly as possible.

To their credit, Wexford continued to probe forward with Edel Kennedy working hard in midfield while Ciara Rossiter was causing them problems on the left side of midfield but unfortunately the final ball was not enough to break through the defence.

On thirty two minutes, the game was put beyond the reach of the home side when Julie Ann Russell shot to the net for a three nil lead. With ten minutes to go to the break, Wexford were dealt a further blow when forward Katie McCarthy picked up a knock and was replaced by Maria Delahunty who was returning from injury.

The second half began disastrously for the home side although little could be done to stop Stephanie Roche's swivel and volley on forty seven minutes which brought an appreciative applause from the home supporters. A minute later, it seemed as if Wexford had capitulated as Ruth Comerford headed to the net and the home crowd were beginning to wonder what the final score might as Peamount were looking very dangerous.

However, Wexford showed their famed spirit and doggedly dragged themselves back into the game with Clare Conlon, Lauren Dwyer and Jessica Gleeson working tirelessly while Mary Rose Kelly was performing miracle saves in the home goal. The home side got their reward on seventy seven minutes when some good work by Delahunty put Rossiter through and she squeezed her shot into the bottom corner.

Peamount were to have the final say when Stephanie Roche was sharpest in a crowded penalty area to volley a Sarah Lawlor cross past Kelly for what proved to be the final goal of the game.

From a Wexford perspective, this was actually a decent performance and they never gave up for the ninety minutes and the main difference between the two sides was the visitors clinical finishing when the chance arose.

Stephanie Roche, Sarah Lawlor and Aine O Gorman always looked dangerous when going forward while the Youths can be happy with their overall team performance with Mary Rose Kelly, Clare Conlon, Edel Kennedy and Ciara Rossiter all prominent.

Wexford Youth Women: Mary Rose Kelly, Lauren Dwyer, Clare Conlon, Jessica Gleeson (Rachel Hutchinson), Laura Heffernan, Edel Kennedy, Linda Douglas, Ciara Rossiter, Julia Testorp (Aoibheann Webb) Ashling Frawley, Katie McCarthy (Maria Delahunty). Subs: Tamara Furlong, Lucy Sherwin, Amy Walsh

Peamount United: Monica McGuirk, Jetta Berrill, Grace Murray, Karen Duggan, Emily Cahill, Dora Gorman, Julie Ann Russell, Ruth Comerford (Jessica Gargan), Aine O Gorman, Stephanie Roche, Sara Lawlor. Amy McLoughlin, Emma Donohoe, Rebekah Carroll, Jessie Corr, Clare Kinsella, Sarah Devlin

Referee: Rhona Daly        

Attendance: 95 (Estimated)