WYW v Galway (Cup)

It's planned to have audio commentary on today's intriguing cup-tie at the usual link.

http://mixlr.com/wexfordyouths

Much improved performance by WYW and more comfortable than the scoreline suggested as the cup-holders got past a high-flying Galway side in the usual breezy Ferrycarrig this afternoon. Gary Hunt went 3-5-2 with Sophie in goal, a back three of Nicola, Lauren and Jess, a midfield five of Aisling, Emma, Kylie, Rachel and Linda and with Claire and Maria up front. Wexford started like a train and had three early corners all delivered with precision by an excellent Emma Hansberry. From the third of these, the corner was pinged against the wind all the way to the far post where it found Claire O'Riordan free, and her easy header found the net for 1-0. On seven minutes, it was 2-0 and yet another corner against the wind by Emma again got beyond the far post where Jess Gleeson rattled it home for 2-0. First Galway effort on goal came on 20 minutes but the shot went a yard wide. From the kick-out, WYW gifted an easy goal to Galway, when the ball was given away to Galway's Aoife Walsh, and her low shot beat Sophie Lenehan at her near post for 2-1. However, WYW restored the two-goal advantage from the resulting kick-off, when Claire O'Riordan turned her marker and lashed the ball high into the net for 3-1. With 32 minutes gone, Lucy Hannon of Galway brought it back to 3-2 when she smacked an effort from 30 yards right into the top left-hand corner and Galway were back in the game. Wexford were looking the better of the two sides, however, and deserved to go in 3-2 at half-time.

WYW continued to apply most of the pressure in the second half, with Sophie Lenehan rarely called into action in the Youth's goal. On 54 minutes, Aisling Frawley was through on goal but her shot was blocked by Hughes in the Galway goal for a corner. On 56 minutes, Claire had a shot flashing wide after a good cross by Maria Delahunty, and, on the hour mark, Emma Hansberry cracked a 25 yarder off the cross-bar. Maria Delahunty then had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for handball. Linda Douglas and Jess Glesson then tested Tina Hughes in the Galway goal again before Galway managed a free and corner late on, but both were cleared by the Wexford defence to leave the home side deserved 3-2 winners at full-time and gain a semi-final spot.

Late subs for Wexford were Aoibhin Webb and Amy Walsh. More improvements possible, but Gary Hunt managed to energise his side more than in previous matches this season, with impressive performances from Aisling Frawley wide left, Maria Delahunty up front and a rejuvenated Kylie Murphy in midfield together with stand-out stints from Emma Hansberry and Claire O'Riordan. 3-2 at full-time with maybe 100 at the game.