WYW v Shelbourne (Shield)

Wexford v Shelbourne has generally been the pivotal WNL game for a number of seasons now and there isn’t the width of an atom between the two sides this year. On this occasion, it was Wexford who proceeded to the Shield final after another cracking game. With Rianna Jarrett unavailable due to international duty yesterday, Wexford pushed Katrina Parrock up front and went with Ciamh, Nicola, Lauren, Lolly, Doireann, Aisling, Edel, Kylie, Emma, McKenna and Katrina. Wexford started with a much better tempo than last week’s game and Edel Kennedy had a volley over Amanda McQuillan’s bar in the first minute. Noelle Murray of Shels then clipped a shot over Ciamh Dollard’s goal soon afterwards, but it was generally Wexford who shaded the first half. On nine minutes, a sumptuous ball out of the Wexford defence found space behind the Shels full-back, and McKenna Davidson finished with her first touch without breaking stride to put Wexford a goal ahead. Emma Hansberry then had a chance with a half-volley but couldn’t keep it on target. On 25 minutes, Shels had a rare attack but punished Wexford who don’t seem to have a secure corner routine worked out as yet. On this occasion, it seemed that a Wexford defender headed a ball almost out of Ciamh’s Dollard’s hands for a o.g. and Shels were level at 1-1. On 28 minutes, the hard-working Katrina Parrock made good space inside the Shels area but could only shoot straight at McQuillan. 1-1 at half-time but with Wexford generally in control.

Wexford applied pressure straight from the off in the second-half and it paid dividends when a clearance header by Shels fell straight to Aisling Frawley on two minutes who poked a left-footed volley into the corner of the Shels net for a 2-1 lead for Wexford. After a Kylie Murphy header which went just over, it was Shels who gained the upper hand when a Shels header went just wide of the Wexford post and then a good Shels move lead to Kate Mooney just flicking an effort wide of the post. With seven minutes to go, Wexford’s Ciamh Dollard brought off the save of the match to get strong hands to a thunderous Jess Gleeson free from way out the pitch. Subs for Wexford were Orla Casey who impressed during her time on the pitch with Wexford U17 star, Blessing Kingsley, almost getting her first senior run right at the end. So, 2-1 to Wexford at full-time with Nicola Sinnott, Lauren Dwyer, McKenna Davidson, Katrina Parrock and Aisling Frawley doing really well for the home side.