WNL Cup: Wexford Youths 2 - 1 Raheny United (AET)
Credit:
WEXFORD Youths Women finally broke their semi-final hoodoo when they inflicted the first defeat of the season on Raheny United in a tough uncompromising semi-final on Sunday afternoon in Ferrycarrig.
Right from the kick off, Wexford showed belief and brought the game to the high profile visitors and never allowed Raheny to settle into the game while the home side passed the ball around with confidence. Neither side created much in the opening period but on twelve minutes, Wexford were awarded a free just outside the area which was floated in by Jessica Gleeson, the ball was headed back across the area by the diminutive Ashling Frawley and Nicola Sinnott was on hand to shoot to the net, her first goal for the club since signing in December.
It could have been 2-0 not long after when Rianna Jarrett, who was proving to be a handful for the visitors defence, broke through on goal but Niamh Reid Burke did just enough to smother the ball. The home side continued to push to put the game out of reach and another free kick saw Nicola Sinnott almost sneak in for her second but once again Burke managed to punch clear, picking up a knock in the process that required attention.
While Raheny were always pressing for an equaliser, they were being restricted to long range efforts with Mary Rose Kelly never unduly troubled and the Wexford defence were dealing comfortably with anything that was coming their way. Burke was called on once again to deny Jarrett as the game approached half time and Raheny had their best chance just before the whistle when Clare Shine broke through but was tracked all the way by Sinnott and any danger was averted.
The girls in black and white were dealt a severe blow two minutes into the second half when Shine, who was their most potent threat going forward picked up a knock and had to come off to be replaced by Sinead O Farrelly. As the second half wore on, Ashling Frawley came more into the game for Wexford, her runs down the right wing beginning to cause problems while Maria Delahunty replaced Aoibheann Webb and was unlucky to see her first effort hit the side netting.
The largest attendance of the season were beginning to sense a huge scalp was about to be taken as the clock ticked over the ninety minutes and dreams of a first ever final were rapidly becoming a reality. Those dreams were cruelly dashed two minutes into injury time when Noelle Murray found space on the left, swung the ball across to Siobhan Killeen who gave Mary Rose Kelly no chance and shocked the home side with an unlikely equaliser with their first real shot on target.
Thunder and lightning erupted over Ferrycarrig Park for the start of extra time with both sides looking tired and the home side looking a little shell shocked after being denied so late in the game. Noelle Murray was unlucky to see her long range effort clip the top of the crossbar late in the first half of the extra period which was basically the only chance of that first half.
The home side took control of the second half and while Raheny looked happy enough to take their chance in a penalty shootout, Wexford showed unbelievable character and brought the game to the visitors and with three minutes to go, Edel Kennedy found Jarrett, who cut across the front of the area, finding space and fired an unstoppable shot to the bottom corner. After that there was only going to be one winner as the crowd almost acted as a twelfth player as they spurred the team through the final minutes until Michelle O Neill sounded the final whistle to spark off ecstatic celebrations from the home side.
This will go down as one of Wexford Youths Women’s watershed matches as they finally broke through to a final after three previous defeats in semi-finalsx and great credit must go to managers John Flood, Lizzy Kent and their backroom staff for having the squad well prepared for this test.
It is impossible to give the players enough praise for the character shown in this game and is almost unfair to select any player who stood out but Rianna Jarrett must be mentioned for a performance that must have impressed Republic of Ireland Senior manager Sue Ronan who was in attendance for the game.
Nicola Sinnott and Jessica Gleeson also played their part but all fourteen players who participated gave one hundred per cent and it must be said, they deserve their place in the final on Sunday May 18th.
Niamh Reid Burke was outstanding for the visitors with Noelle Murray and Rebecca Creagh also standing out and while the game was not going their way, they showed the grit of champions and kept working away until they levelled late in the game
Raheny now travel to Castlebar Celtic on Wednesday night where a win will see them clinch the league title and we wish them and our former player Clare “Bosco” Conlon the best of luck while Wexford complete their league campaign on Saturday evening when they take on DLR Waves at 7-30pm in Ferrycarrig Park
Wexford Youths Women: Mary Rose Kelly, Lauren Dwyer, Jessica Gleeson, Kylie Murphy (Clare O Riordan), Linda Douglas (Edel Kennedy), Rianna Jarrett, Ciara Rossiter, Nicola Sinnott, Katie McCarthy, Aoibheann Webb (Maria Delahunty), Ashling Frawley. Subs not used: Rachel Hutchinson, Tamara Furlong, Amy Walsh, Laura Heffernan
Raheny United: Niamh Reid Burke, Niamh Walsh, Shauna Newman, Rebecca Creagh, Rachel Graham, Noelle Murray, Siobhan Killeen, Clare Shine, Catherine Cronin, Pearl Slattery, Clare Conlon, Louise Kearney, Katie McCabe, Sinead O Farrelly, Bethany Houldsworth, Lyndsey Hayden, Kerrie Ryan, Laura Ryan
Referee: Michelle O Neill
Assistants: Shane Dunphy and Brian Fenlon
Attendance: 420 (Est)
