WYW v Cork City (Friendly)

Competitive friendly before a good crowd in Youghal this afternoon as Wexford finally edged past Cork by three goals to two. Wexford started with Claudia, Meabh, Grace, Louise, Orlaith, Abbie, Michaela, Kylie, Aoibheann, Shauna and with Emily up front. On a difficult mid-winter pitch, Wexford were distinctly cobwebby for the first half hour or so as they struggled to put any pressure on the Cork goal. In fact, it was Cork who went ahead with their first attack on eight minutes as their left-winger chipped a shot over Claudia Keenan in the Wexford goal. Not a lot happened from then until the half-hour mark when Aoibheann Clancy tested the Cork keeper with a good effort from a free. On 36 minutes, the same player got Wexford’s equaliser when Clancy was set up by Emily Corbet to fire home. On 40 minutes, Wexford went ahead when the Cork defence gave Grace Fitzpatrick-Ryan too much space at a Wexford corner to allow her to nod home. Wexford finished on the up as Abbie Brophy then went close. 2-1 to Wexford at half-time.

Second half saw a raft of changes as Aine Walsh came on for Wexford after nine minutes. Claudia Keenan made a good save after that while Aine Walsh couldn’t take advantage of a one-on-one with the Cork keeper. On 25 minutes, Freya De Mange, Emma Walker and Ceola Bergin entered the fray for Wexford. Immediately, Cork equalised at 2-2 when the ball was forced home at the near post after a Cork corner. Cork then had a decent effort on goal from a good distance out but it went a yard over. With fifteen minutes to go, Jess Lawler, Siun Murdiff and Mia Lenihan were brought on for Wexford. Final sub for Wexford was Nicole Nix in goal. Just as the game seemed to be destined for a 2-2 draw, Mia Lenihan showed good composure to get the ball onto her favoured right foot and finish well past the Cork keeper. 3-2 to Wexford at the end. Best for Wexford were Grace Fitzpatrick-Ryan who showed some weight of tackle for a young player at the back for Wexford while Louise Corrigan wasn’t too far behind. Orlaith Deasy pinged the ball about well at left-full for Wexford while Michaela Lawrence worked extremely hard in midfield. Freya De Mange also moved the ball about very well when she joined the game. 3-2 to Wexford at full-time.