Wexford Youths 2 - 3 Raheny United
Credit:
Those pundits who have already inscribed Raheny’s name on the champions trophy in the inaugural season of the Bus Eireann Women's League had pause for thought when a spirited display from Wexford Youths came close to causing a major upset in Ferrycarrig. Indeed when Maria Delahunty caught visiting keeper Niamh Reid Burke in no woman's land mid way through the second period her well judged lob seemed to have given Wexford an unlikely lead. Referee Michelle O’Neill signalled a goal but reversed her decision on the intervention of her linesman.
Raheny have won all of their games this term; Wexford none, but that’s not the whole story. The Dubliners have a fine pedigree in the Women's game whereas their country cousins are only just setting out as a senior club. They have already exceeded expectation with draws against Shamrock Rovers and Castlebar Celtic; Raheny was the biggest challenge to date. The Dubliners beat Peamount 4-1 last week and Peamount had put seven goals into the Wexford net earlier in the season.
This was a memorable encounter with Wexford keeper Devereux, as expected, in action early on. She plunged to parry a sharp drive and was then tested by a steeping deflection from a free kick that she succeeded in pulling to the ground. The home defence was having difficulty in coping with the pacy, elegant Siobhan Killeen down the Raheny left flank and when she cut in along the by-line and pulled the ball back in the fourteenth minute Rebecca Creagh had the simple task of side-footing the ball into the net from close range. So far, all was going according to the form book.
But, instead of collapsing, Wexford hit back. Burke had already shown clean handling in dispensing with two long range drives from Delahunty. Then Sadie Murphy might have equalised when sent in on goal but instead tried to set up Ciara O’Brien. The pass was short and Seana Cooke leapt in to clear, getting a clattering from O’Brien in the process which saw her replaced at the interval. But the home side did equalise in the 21st minute. Smart work from Maria Delahunty fashioned space for skipper Kylie Murphy who meticulously placed a low drive out of the reach of Burke into the bottom corner of the Raheny net.
There would have been more first half goals but for the intervention of the goalkeepers. First Burke judged her advance perfectly to narrow the angle before diving to save from Delahunty and then Devereux made a dash from her line to bravely throw herself at the feet of Mulhall.
Raheny were out early during the interval to warm up and soon showed intent. Katie McCabe, a half time substitute, was in commanding form and the Wexford defence, with Jessica Gleeson and Trish Cleary outstanding, was soon under siege. There had been no first half corners; Raheny won no fewer than eleven in the second period. McCabe took them on the right and in the 56th minute she took advantage of a return pass from one of the short variety to cut in and hit a searing drive from the edge of the box that flew past the helpless Devereux and nestled in the top corner.
Again the Wexford women forced themselves back into contention and again it was the tireless Kylie Murphy who seized the day, powering a long distance drive beyond Burke. The visitors brought on Mary Waldron to add physical presence but her first action was to find herself dumped on her backside by the uncompromising Cleary. Nevertheless, although looking not quite match fit, the Irish double international, backed up by the impressive Daly, increased the pressure on the home goal and when Devereux missed a couple of crosses in her goal area alarm bells began to ring.
But it was Wexford who seemed to have snatched a lead before Delahunty’s effort was disallowed. A draw still seemed a likely reward for their efforts until an error from keeper Devereux gifted the points to the visitors. Ciara Grant’s goal attempt was routine stuff but Devereux allowed it to slip through her gloves and drop into the net behind her.
WEXFORD YOUTHS WOMEN: Amy Devereux; Linda Douglas, Jessica Gleeson, Trish Cleary, Clare Conlan; Fionna Bennett (Lisa Dower 16, Rianna Jarrett 77), Kylie Murphy, Nikki Dunphy, Ciara O’Brien, Sadie Murphy (Rachel Hutchinson 63), Maria Delahunty.
Subs not used: Charlotte McCormack, Celine Slye, Keeley Claydon, Besarta Ajeti
RAHENY UNITED: Niamh Reid Burke; Elaine Murray, Shauna Newman, Seana Cooke (Katie McCabe h/t), Catherine Cronin; Ciara Grant, Megan Campbell, Rachel Graham, Siobhan Kileen; Sandra Mulhall (Mary Waldron 71), Rebecca Creagh.
Subs not used: Christina Byrne, Joan Daly, Lynn Bradley, Becky Walsh, Kate Flood
Referee: Michelle O’Neill
Attendance: 200 (est)
