WYW v Kilkenny

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For anyone interested, an audio commentary on tonight's match at the usual link (kick-off 7.30pm).

www.mixlr.com/wexfordfc

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Much more competitive game than was anticipated inFerrycarrig tonight as WYW found it difficult to break down a well organised Kilkenny side which are already showing the benefits of the experience of new manager, Casey McQuillan. Wexford manager, Laura Heffernan, started with Tamara, Nicola, Jess,Lolly, Ally, Aoibhin, Orla, Kylie, Becky, Lauren and Claire up front. Kilkenny who probably played far too open in previous matches between the two sides, conceded a lot of space to the home side in a defensive 4-5-1 and Wexford found it hard to deal with in the first half. Wexford had a couple of early chances but Kilkenny’s excellent keeper, Nadine Ryan, managed to deal with them capably. On 25 minutes, KK’s Becky Conroy got a shot away on the break which Tamara Furlong in the Wexford goal had to get down low to save. With ten to go in the half, Aoibhin Webb put in a cross which Claire O’Riordan got on target with her head but Ryan was able to grab it. With three minutes to go in the half, Wexford began to make their territorial domination tell when Claire O’Riordan went through twice on goal, but Ryan saved the first and a last ditch tackle prevented Claire from hitting the second. An Orla Casey shot which Ryan cleanly held over her head then finished the half with Wexford not really producing enough keys to unlock the KK defence. 0-0 at half-time.

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Wexford didn’t create much early on in the second half and it took the key substitutions of Rianna Jarrett and Aisling Frawley to produce the guile to put Wexford in front. Wexford had a couple of half-decent efforts after the substitutions before, on 63 minutes, Rianna had a great turn to get away from her marker and weighted exactly the right pass to put Claire O’Riordan through whose shot almost broke the net and Wexford were 1-0 up. Aisling Frawley, who was repeatedly getting behind the KK defence down the left wing, made the second goal a minute later when her cross beat everyone leaving Kylie Murphy to tap home at the far post and Wexford were now safe on a 2-0 scoreline. Final sub for Wexford was the debut by Katrina Parrock who went wide right and showed immediately a good touch by keeping a volley from another cross by Aisling Frawley on target, but Ryan was able to save it in the Kilkenny goal. Three final chances for Wexford which weren’t converted then finished the match with Wexford coming out deserved winners on a 2-0 scoreline. Hopefully, Casey McQuillan can continue his good work in Kilkenny by getting the team to play more somewhat closer to their potential as they have useful players in Ciara Delaney, Leanne Tumelty, Bronagh Kane and Becky Conroy. For Wexford, the substitutions of Rianna Jarrett and Aisling Frawley were key to proving the creativity which the home side needed on the night. 2-0 to WYW at full time.