Wexford FC Women v Shelbourne (Avenir Cup)

Late penalty for Shelbourne secured the points in Ferrycarrig this evening, but both sides knew that they were through to the Avenir quarter-finals before the game started unless one of them got a woeful hammering. As a result, there seemed to be some resting of players by both sides and Wexford started with Nicole, Abby, Lolly, Kylie, Emily, Ellen, Ceola, Meabh, Nicola, Aoibheann and Mia. Shelbourne started the better with their superior passing style, and on nine minutes had an effort which went a yard wide of the Wexford goal when Nicole Nix, who had a fine game in the Wexford goal, was the last defender for Wexford. On 12 minutes, a long-range effort by Shels Nadine Clare proved too good for Nicole Nix as it sailed into the top left corner. Wexford’s first attempt on goal came on 21 minutes when Kylie Murphy had a very long-range effort which went a couple of yards wide. Wexford then got more into the game as Ellen Molloy, the fulcrum of Wexford’s attacks in the absence of Ciara Rossiter, began to get more possession in Shels half of the pitch. It led to Wexford’s equaliser on 29 minutes when she beat a defender, moved the ball onto her less-favoured right and curled a lovely shot into the top right corner of the Shels net to give Amanda McQuillan no chance. 1-1 at this stage. Wexford finished the half on the up as Emily Corbet had a header which went wide and Mia Lenihan hit a shot well over when through on goal but being closed down. 1-1 at halftime.

The second half was even enough as both sides made changes and had chances to score. Wexford brought on Teegan Lynch and Freya De Mange at the start of the half and, shortly afterwards, Nicole Nix had a purple spell when she charged out of her area to prevent Alex Kavanagh of Shels from shooting, and then saved a good effort by Shels to keep the game at 1-1. Further Wexford subs were Aine Walsh and Della Doherty and Aine soon had an effort on goal blocked by a Shels defender when well placed. Wexford continued to have chances as Nicola Sinnott’s header from a Wexford corner was clawed away by Amanda McQuillan and Ceola Bergin shot a yard wide when through on goal. Final sub for Wexford was Ciara Fitzpatrick and Shels then forced Nicole Nix to execute a fabulous save when a Shels attacker had an effort on target from close in. Just as the game entered injury-time, Shels were awarded a peno for a shot which hit a stray Wexford arm and this was well put away by Rebecca Devereux for 2-1 to Shels. Still time for more controversy as right at the death, Teegan Lynch of Wexford hit the underside of Shels crossbar and bounced down. Nothing was given but a Wexford supporter at that end of the pitch reckoned it was over the goal-line. 2-1 to Shels at full-time and both sides progress to the Avenir quarter-finals.