WYW v Cork (Shield Final)

Wexford got through by the thinnest skin of their teeth in Turners Cross this afternoon to record what is hoped to be only the first of their trophies this season. Wexford were missing Rianna, Doieann and Aoife on international duty while Cork were missing Zara Foley. Wexford started with Sophie, Nicola, Lolly, Lauren, Becky, Aisling, Kylie, Edel, Emma, McKenna and with Katrina Parrock up front. As often occurs when you regard Wexford as being the favourites, they started unduly slowly and hardly created a chance in the first half while Cork got close to Sophie Lenehan’s goal but without testing her too much. On ten minutes, a good chance for Cork was drilled just wide of the Wexford post. With 16 minutes gone, Saoirse Noonan had a volley over the bar from a Cork cross from the right. However, the best chance of the first half fell to Wexford when a cross to the far post by McKenna Davidson fell to Aisling Frawley in the clear, but her volley was held by Amanda Budden in the Cork goal. Cork then finished on the up as Maggie Duncliffe had an effort two yards wide and O’Donovan had a chip just over the Wexford bar. 0-0 at half-time with Wexford not having got out of the starting blocks.

Wexford started better in the second period and Aisling Frawley got in a good cross in the first five minutes which a Cork defender just diverted over her own crossbar. Saoirse Noonan then could have done better when well-placed in front of the Wexford goal and it became a question as to who could score first. Sophie Lenehan then had a good catch from a Maggie Duncliffe free and, with 15 minutes to go, Cork went nearest to breaking the deadlock when a header from a corner hit the corner of the Wexford post and bar. Rachel Hutchinson then replaced Katrina Parrock for Wexford and game finished 0-0. In extra-time, it was fairly even as Ciara Delaney replaced McKenna Davidson for Wexford and Aisling Frawley had a rare header wide of the Cork post. Cork then finished strongly as Noonan had a goal-bound drive deflected wide of the Wexford post and Edel ‘Scarface’ Kennedy sporting a gash on her cheek was brave at the near post to prevent a Cork goal.

Onto pens with Cork going first. First three on each side were comfortable enough but Sophie Lenehan moved early for Saoirse Noonan’s effort who followed Sophie with the ball. This enabled Sophie to push the shot onto the inside of the post and it somehow stayed out. Nicola Sinnott then spotted successfully and Aisling Frawley hit the underside of the Cork bar and in to leave Wexford 5-4 winners on penalties after a tense nervy game. Best for Wexford were Lauren Dwyer for Wexford, who got player of the match, and the excellent Savannah McCarthy for Cork as defences were generally on top on both sides. Otherwise, Edel Kennedy worked hard to get forward to support the Wexford forwards and Saoirse Noonan had a strong game up front for the home side who worked so hard to secure a trophy in front of their supporters.