Wexford Youths Women v Cork City Women (Shield)

Two very early goals settled any nerves for WYW against Cork today and ensured that the home team got to the final of this new competition. WYW made one change from the team which started with UCD Waves with Shauna Wall coming in and went with Mary Rose, Nicola, Ruth, Edel, Ciara, Shauna, Emma, Kylie, Aisling and with Claire and Carol up front. Playing with a good breeze, WYW scored with their first attack when Kylie Murphy dinked a delicate chip over the Cork keeper to put Youths one up. Four minutes later, WYW went two up when Carol Breen held off a defender when gathering a WYW throw-in and stuck it past the Cork keeper from close to the end-line. Wexford were looking yards quicker than their opponents due probably to the work they did for the Champions League. The third goal came on 27 minutes when the excellent Emma Hansberry let a 40 yard free kick sail on the breeze and into the top corner for 3-0. A minute before half-time, Shauna Wall hit a cross/shot at the far post from her left wing, and it nestled just inside the far post for 4-0. Mary Rose hadn't had a save to make during the first period and it looked like a very lost cause for a game Cork side in the second half.

Playing against the breeze, WYW scored only one further goal in the second period, when Carol Breen finished from close in a good cross by Aisling Frawley on the hour mark. However, WYW didn't play as well in this half as their game lost its intensity. Also, Cork had a good finish to the game and forced Mary Rose to make a good save with a couple of minutes to go and then Cork couldn't put away the rebound. Subs for WYW in this half were Becky Cassin, Meghan Whitty and Rachel Hutchinson. Comfortable day for WYW with my overall nod for top spot going to Emma Hansberry who was exceptional in midfield. Final score - Wexford 5, Cork 0.