The third round of the Leinster Div 3-4 Cup took centre stage this weekend and Wexford 1sts were drawn against Division 3 side YMCA 1sts. YMCA are a division higher than Wexford so this was always going to be a tough game, the challenge for Wexford was further compounded by the fact that the home side were short a few of their regular first-team players but this became an opportunity for the club’s seconds players to showcase their talent.

The game was played with ferocious pace from the start and Wexford had to be patient and disciplined throughout. YMCA had a higher percentage of possession in the opening quarter and held on to the ball in their efforts to build an attack but the Wexford backline of Sinead McDonnell, Emer O’Rourke, Joanne Grant and Ciara O’Neill defended well as a unit.

Wexford began to read the YMCA pattern of play and began to pressurise the visitor’s defensive line through some nice attacking play from Ciara O’Leary, Avril Jones, Miriam Lambert and Louise Fanning. Arguable against the run of play YMCA broke down a Wexford attack at the end of the first quarter to break the deadlock and put them 1 – 0 up.

The second quarter saw both sides up their game, holding possession in their attempts to work the ball from player to player to cross their opponents goal line. Scoring from open play in this quarter was proving challenging with both defences on their game but YMCA earned a short corner which they converted after their initial shot was blocked by the Wexford keeper Fiona Buttle. The half time score was 2-0 in favour of the visitors.

The second half continued in a similar vein with both teams producing some excellent hockey. Eventually, Wexford’s persistence paid off when Muireann McCarthy ran the ball down the line and slipped it into a waiting Miriam Lambert who converted leaving the game wide open at 2-1. Unfortunately, shortly after the Wexford goal, the home side lost two players Ciara O’Leary and Ciara McGrath to injury.

YMCA found another gear and scored their third goal toward. Wexford regrouped for the fourth quarter and Anna Finan, Maeve Buckley and Miriam Lambert pressed the YMCA defence. Anna Finan intercepted a YMCA clearance but was denied by the keeper who cleared her lines. Miriam Lambert will also feel hard done by when she was denied a short corner after having to duck, as a YMCA defender cleared a blistering shot from Wexford’s Louise Fanning.

YMCA found their way into Wexfords circle once more and converted despite the best efforts of Wexfords defence.

The game finished out Wexford 1 – YMCA 4. The scoreline flatters the visiting side as the game was all about the fine margins and luck. Wexford will take a lot of positives from the game and will feel they equipped themselves well against a division 3 side.

Next weekend Wexford Firsts are back in action in the Leinster League as they continue their efforts for promotion from Division 4.

Wexford Panel: Fiona Buttle, Sinead McDonnell, Ciara McGrath, Ciara O’Leary, Ciara O’Neill, Joanne Grant, Avril Jones, Muireann McCarthy, Louise Fanning, Eimear O’Rourke, Aoife Bolger, Meave Buckley, Anna Finan.