Wexford FC Women v Bohemians (All-Island Cup Final)

A season defining game for the home side as they attempted to end a four-year trophy drought in Ferrycarrig this evening, while Bohs, who still await their first trophy, have at least another chance in the FAI Cup. With Ciara Maher presumably injured, Wexford’s team went along expected lines with Anna Doane making her first start, other than substitutions, and having a storming debut. Wexford began with Maria, Lolly, Della, Lauren, Kylie, Becky, Aoife, Ellen, Rossi, Freya and Anna. Wexford didn’t have a good first half as they struggled to create much and left Ellen Molloy very isolated up front. It was the Bohs midfield which looked the better aided by some good combination play between Sarah Power and Sarah McKevitt down Bohs right. It resulted in several chances for Bohs as, on six minutes, Sarah Power dinked a shot just wide of the Wexford post and. four minutes later, Alannah McEvoy chipped a shot just over the Wexford bar with only O’Sullivan to beat but coming in from an angle. Wexford then had two long-range efforts from Freya De Mange and a volley from Della Doherty but both were well off target. On 25 minutes, Sarah Power had a cross which looked to go in but hit the net after just floating over the Wexford bar. After Maria O’Sullivan made a good diving save to keep out a Bohs volley, Bohs went ahead when Alannah McEvoy fashioned a break and finished comfortably past O’Sullivan. Wexford’s only moment of danger in the first half came along just before the break when the otherwise inactive Rachel Kelly in the Bohs goal spilled a cross but the Wexford effort on goal from Ellen Molloy was blocked. 1-0 to Bohs at half-time and Wexford needed to at least turn up for the second period.

To their credit, Wexford did look more purposeful from the start of the second half as their game increased in fluidity, particularly in the key midfield area. It was helped by the introduction of two key substitutes in Meabh Russell and Charlotte Cromack who gave more options in terms of passing targets as well as Rossi moving to the centre of the park where she could utilise her dribbling skills. The equalising goal from Wexford resulted from these changes as Cromack fed Rossi in a central position who fed Ellen Molloy and the latter’s right-footed finish gave Rachel Kelly no chance and it was 1-1. Charlotte Cromack then had a shot a yard over the Wexford bar while, at the other end, Lauren Dwyer had a fine block to deny McEvoy a goal-scoring chance. Wexford looked the more likely to get the decisive goal as the game entered its closing stages as Ellen Molloy had an effort just over the Bohs bar and Della Doherty had a shot deflected for a Wexford corner. 1-1 at full-time and straight to penos where Wexford scored all five and had the advantage of going first while Savannah Kane for Bohs was brave enough to make the long walk but see her low shot saved by Maria O’Sullivan in the Wexford goal. Wexford secure the cup with a fantastic crowd of 2,201 in attendance. Wexford’s Lauren Dwyer was awarded the player of the match trophy. Securing the All-Island Cup and third place in the league would be a very fine achievement for Wexford management and players.