Wexford Youths Women v UCD Waves (QF FAI)

A cracking match today in Jackson Park between WYW who put in a resilient performance and UCD Waves who were much improved from their performance in Ferrycarrig Park even if the gap on the scoreboard was ultimately the same. With Jess Gleeson and Rianna Jarrett still unavailable, WYW started with Mary Rose, Nicola, Ruth, Edel, Ciara, Linda, Emma, Kylie, Carol, Aisling and with Claire up front. The game proved to be a battle of the set-piece which WYW dominated as they terrorised the UCD defence with every set that came their way. UCD had a chance early on which went a foot over the corner of the goal. WYW had their first corner on 9 minutes and scored from it when Kylie Murphy volleyed sweetly home directly from the corner. There was then a chance apiece and then WYW got their second corner and scored from it again when Ruth Fahy buried a rebound which had come to her inside the box. WYW then had two further corners and nearly scored from both before UCD's Aine O'Gorman curled a good free past Mary Rose Kelly to bring the score to 2-1 to WYW. WYW created a great chance just before half-time when an excellent move down the pitch set up a pile-driver volley which the UCD keeper did well to push away and WYW put the rebound over. 2-1 to WYW at half-time.

UCD had their best spell from the beginning of the second period and eventually equalised when a long free-kick by UCD was allowed go over the WYW defence and UCD's Aine O'Gorman got her second when she side-footed it past a stranded Mary Rose for 2-2. However, WYW finished the stronger from then on and deservedly won by two clear goals. WYW got their third on 26 minutes of the second half when a free from Ciara Rossiter was only parried by the UCD keeper and the dynamic Carol Breen was on hand to finish home from close in for 3-2. WYW then got their fourth two minutes later when another excellent corner dropped onto the head of Kylie Murphy inside UCD's six yard box and she had the simplest of tasks for 4-2. Late subs for WYW were Becky Cassin, Shauna Wall and Rachel Hutchinson. Good performances from WYW all over the pitch but I'll give my nod to Ruth Fahy who was imperious in defence. 4-2 to WYW at full-time who now go on to the semi-final.