Wexford Youths seal WNL 2015 title with win over Raheny

Wexford Youth’s secured their first Women’s National League title in the champion’s backyard. The Youths came out on top in a three goal thriller against Raheny United in Morton Stadium on Saturday evening. The home side took the lead thanks to a neat finish from Jamie Finn, before two goals in two minutes ensured Wexford secured the valuable three points required to become league champions.

Raheny were quickest to get out of the blocks in a rain soaked Morton Stadium, The Pandas had several corner kicks but Siobhan Killeen could not find the right delivery.

The first dangerous chance of the game presented itself in the 17th minute after good pressure from Youth’s Claire O’Riordan forced a throw in from Raheny keeper Niamh Reid Bourke. From the resulting throw in Aisling Frawley had an effort deflected over the bar for a corner.

Raheny  pushed for the first goal of the game and efforts from Sarah Rowe and a long range free-kick from Katie McCabe sailing wide.

McCabe gave a free-kick away on the halfway line and Youths defender Jess Gleeson attempted to pick out a teammate in the box but her effort sailed wide past Reid Bourke’s post.

The two sides exchanged attempts on goal; first Ciara Rossiter fired wide from outside the box, while Noelle Murray rifled a shot just past the Wexford post that left keeper Mary Rose Kelly scrambling across her goal.

Just on the stroke of half-time a corner from Raheny’s McCabe was spilled by Wexford keeper Rose Kelly but the Wexford defenders cleared the ball to safety.

Wexford came out the start of the second half with attacking intent, creating two half chances on goal from Amy Walsh and Amy Frawley.

The sides exchanged chances once again as Carol Breen fired wide for the visitors, while Sarah Rowe could not do any better with an effort at the other end of the park.

The game’s first goal  arrived after some good work from Siobhan Killeen. The Raheny midfielder laid the ball off to Ireland Under 16’s Footballer of the year Jamie Finn who slotted the ball past the visiting keeper.

The Pandas lead did not last very long as Wexford were awarded a dangerous free kick 25 yards from goal. Midfielder Amy Walsh struck a fantastic shot which sailed past the Raheny keeper into the top corner of the net.

Within 90 seconds of equalising, Wexford took the lead. Good work down the left saw the ball slotted into Claire O’Riordan who placed a low shot past the Pandas keeper to put the visitors on their way to the league title.

After the second goal Raheny struggled to carve a way back into the game, with Wexford having chance after chance to extend their lead. Jess Gleeson had a free kick deflected away for a corner. Carol Breen nearly capped of a great performance but her looping shot was deflected away for a Youth's corner. The home side's best chance to get back into the game came when Killeen had an attempt on goal that sailed over the crossbar in injury time.

Extratime.ie spoke to the winning goal scorer Claire O’Riordan about securing the title in the champion’s backyard.

“I am just amazed, I can’t describe how amazing it is to come up here and get the victory, all the girls deserved. It was a tough battle and we stuck it out till the very end was delighted to get the three points.”

Raheny United: Niamh Reid Bourke, Keeva Keenan( Avril Brierley 88), Niamh Walsh, Shauna Newman, Rebecca Creagh, Katie McCabe, Noelle Murray, Siobhan Killeen, Sarah Rowe (Clare Shine 78), Lauren Dwyer, Jamie Finn

Subs Not Used: Sinead O’Farrelly, Laura Ryan, Amanda McQuillan, Megan Lynch, Joan Daly

Wexford Youth’s: Mary Rose Kelly, Ciara Rossiter, Jess Gleeson, Nicola Sinnott, Edel Kennedy, Kylie Murphy, Becky Cassin(Rachel Hutchinson 91), Aisling Frawley (Aoife Cantwell 89), Amy Walsh, Carol Breen (Aoibheann Webb 92), Claire O’Riordan

Subs Not Used: Tamara Furlong, Megan Whitty, Orlaith Conlon, Orla Hickey

Referee: Rhona Daly

Player of the Match: Wexford Youth’s Claire O’Riordan