Wexford 2-14 Kildare 0-12

Report by Liam Spratt

The Wexford lady footballers are back in the National League Division 3 final for the second year running after producing a terrific, pacey and skilful performance in an eight-point penultimate-round win over Kildare at Stradbally, County Laois on Sunday.

It was Wexford’s second success over Kildare during this year’s league having already accounted for them on the road by 4-9 to 3-9 last February in the course of Anthony Masterson’s charges putting together a six-game winning streak.

And Wexford will now play Meath in the league final on Bank Holiday Monday May 7^th having got the better of Meath by 3-12 to 2-6 during the group-stages last month.

The purple-and-gold showed their intent right from the throw-in when a strong Bernie Breen run from midfield ripped open the Kildare defence to pave the way for Catriona Murray to score the opening point.

Murray was to be a thorn in the side of the Lilywhite’s defence all afternoon, and Wexford raced into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead after just ten minutes as Kellie Kearney, Chloe Fox 2 (one free), Clara Donnelly and Catriona Murray added to the scoresheet.

The running approach of the Wexford girls was a joy to watch, and Kellie Kearney was on the end of another swift move, but she was unfortunate to blast wide with the goal at her mercy.

Kildare’s Ellen Dowling converted two placed-kicks to reduced the margin to three points after 19 minutes.

But Wexford continued to attack at will and they eventually raised a green-flag when Chloe Fox put in Catriona Murray for the opening goal from close range.

But Kildare were awarded a penalty five minutes shy of half-time when referee John Gallagher adjudged that goalie Mary Rose Kelly had put in a foot-block on Mikaela McKenna as she went for goal. Mary Rose was sin-binned on a yellow-card and sub goalie Sinead Whelan came in with Aisling Murphy having to make way. But there was relief for Wexford as Kildare midfielder Trina Duggan blasted the penalty over the ‘bar.

Wexford responded with points from Catriona Murray and Fiona Rochford to lead at half-time by 1-8 to 0-6.

Molly Price resumed the second-half with a Kildare point.

But Wexford, who were now back up to the full 15 players again, ran Kildare ragged and stretched the lead to 1-11 to 0-8 with 40 minutes on the clock.

And Wexford’s patience with the ball in hand was rewarded when their second goal came after a succession of moves, with Clara Donnelly putting in Bernie Breen to score from three meters out as the former Kerry star consolidated the lead.

Kildare, who started without key player Roisin Byrne through injury, were out on their feet as Catriona Murray added three further points.

But as Wexford eased off the gas, Kildare finished with a flourish and kicked three points to leave an eight point gap between the sides at the finish.

This was a fine performance by the Wexford girls, who remarkably started with just three players that were on the team beaten by Tipperary in last year’s Division 3 final after a replay.

Catriona Murray was the star turn on Sunday as her pace and close-control created havoc in the Kildare defence, and she had able support from Aishling Murphy, Clara Donnelly, Fiona Rochford and Bernie Breen.

But, to be honest, it was a splendid team performance.

Wexford – Mary Rose Kelly; Shauna Murphy, Maria Byrne, Sarah Harding-Kenny; Niamh Moore, Niamh Mernagh, Niamh Butler; Roisin Murphy, Bernie Breen (1-1); Clara Donnelly (0-1), Fiona Rochford (0-2), Kellie Kearney (0-1); Chloe Fox (0-2, 1 free), Aishling Murphy, Catriona Murray (1-7).

Subs: Georgina Hearn for Moore (50); Rachel Bennett for Clara Donnelly (55).