WNL Shield Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Cork City Women

Women’s National League Shield, Group A

Wexford Youths -v- Cork City Women

Ferrycarrig Park, Kick-off: 2pm

Wexford Youths

Wexford welcome Cork City Women to Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday afternoon with ambitions of finishing their Shield campaign with a third consecutive and Ruth Fahy believes her side have built on the lessons they learned when finishing second in their UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying group.

“It was very important to us to utilise our experience in Poland, and make sure that the match sharpness gained was brought forward into our early season. The exposure to standards abroad has raised the bar in training, which has helped us in our games so far. However, match sharpness and fitness should be universal across all teams by the time the WNL actually kicks off.”

Last weekend, Youths defeated UCD Waves in the FAI Cup quarter-final and Fahy revealed the mood in the camp is very positive ahead of Cork’s visit this weekend, but she is expecting a tough game against a rejuvenated Cork side who have added quality to their in previous weeks.

“Cork has always been a stronghold for women’s soccer, and it is great to hear that Cork City WFC have invested in some quality club restructuring this year. They have added even more strength to their squad of late with some top class signings and we expect a tough challenge on Sunday.

“The mood in the camp this week has been positive, but measured. We were thrilled to secure a semi-final cup spot last weekend, but also aware that there is massive room for improvement in all areas of our game. As always, training this week has been intense, with particular focus on our decision-making as a unit. A spot in the final of the inaugural Shield Series is up for grabs, and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Cork City Women

Cork head into Sunday’s clash with Youths on the back of a three week break, due the recent International fixtures, along with not being involved in last weekend’s FAI Cup quarter-finals.

Niall O’Regan’s side will also be hoping to return to winning ways after they were defeated by UCD Waves in their previous outing by 4-0, despite Waves playing the majority of the second half with a player after Susan Hackett was shown a red card.

In recent week, Cork has continued to strengthen their squad and on Sunday, new signings Lorna O’Connell, Zoe Murphy and Catherine Cooke all available for selection. There is also positive news on the injury front for City as Mary Barrett returns to the squad after the defender left the field early in her side’s Women’s FAI Cup exit against Shelbourne U18 five weeks ago.

Match Stats

Wexford have scored eleven goals in their last three games, conceding just three. Cork City have conceded more goals they have scored this season - scoring six and conceding seven.

Kylie Murphy has scored three goals in her last two games for Youths, while Claire O’Riordan has scored four times in three games for the Women’s National League Champions.