Wexford FC Women v Cork City

Remarkable occasion in Ferrycarrig this evening as what looked like a humdrum final game of the season turned into a celebration as a retiring Wexford legend, who was playing her final game, turned on a vintage display as she led the line and notched herself a hat-trick. A number of presentations were made at the start of the game including those for two further retirees, Nicola Sinnott, an excellent fullback for the home side over 277 appearances, and Rianna Jarrett, with 111 goals in 139 games for the club and perhaps the best player I ever saw playing domestically prior to the beginning of all her injuries. It must be remembered that Rianna was asked to train with the Ireland U16 squad at the age of only thirteen. In addition, a special jersey was presented to Lolly Conlon to mark 250 games for the club. Wexford started with Maria, Lolly, Della, Lauren, Kylie, Becky, Aoife, Ellen, Rossi, Freya and Anna. With Kylie playing up front for Wexford but receiving support from all over the pitch, the home side took the game to Cork City right from the start and bossed the first half. After a shot by Ciara Rossiter had been pushed away by Fitzgerald in the Cork City goal early on, Wexford took the lead when Kylie Murphy headed goalwards from a free while almost on the endline and Fitzgerald in the Cork goal couldn’t keep it from going in. 1-0 to Wexford. Kylie always had the ability of getting her head to crosses during her career and, after putting another header a yard over the Cork bar, got her second of the game on 29 minutes with another far post header which a Cork defender couldn’t stop from crossing the line. Kylie’s general hold-up play and distribution was exemplary at this stage and then, on 35 minutes, Freya De Mange had a shot from distance which Fitzgerald did well to tip over her own bar but no corner was given. Maria O’Sullivan in the Wexford goal was largely a spectator during this first period and Wexford deservedly went in front at half-time two goals to the good.

Wexford largely controlled the second half as well although Cork City did manage to test O’Sullivan in the Wexford goal on a couple of occasions. After Ellen Molloy had an effort on goal which went just over the Cork City bar, Molly Kirwan was brought on in place of Ciara Rossiter for Wexford. First real save by O’Sullivan came on 27 minutes when she did well to push away a volley on the run by City’s Heidi Mackin. Charlotte Cromack and Meabh Russell were then introduced by Wexford and later Lauren Kelly and Millie Daly. Just at the end of the four minutes of injury time, Charlotte Cromack put in a good cross from the left and Kylie Murphy showed good movement to plant a firm header home for 3-0 to Wexford and the end of a remarkable day for Wexford’s skipper. 3-0 at full-time for Wexford and a fitting tribute to a player who has done so much both on and off the field for the Ferrycarrig side.