Report

Dublin v Wexford

Dublin 3-9  Wexford 4-5

Seven crucial minutes in the first half had a major bearing on the result of this game played on a perfect sod at Bray Emmets.  Wexford backed by the breeze led by 1-2 to nil and Dublin were lucky not to concede a second goal when a rasper came back of the cross-bar after only a minute's play.

But in that spell between the 11th and 22th minutes Dublin struck for 2-3 to momentarily grab the lead.  It was a brilliant response made all the more critical as Wexford could only manage a single point in the second half when they had to play into the breeze.

Wexford have a star in the making in Annie Stafford who tormented Dublin in the first half.  She notched up 1-4 herself and had a hand in the other goals by Joanne Dillon and Leah Walsh.

But Dublin can face the future with confidence also.  Wing backs Zenouska Murphy and Hannah Hegarty put in an excellent first half and from one of their many clearances impressive midfielder Rebecca Keating fired over Dublin's first score in the 11th minute.  Dublin trailed Wexford by 1-2 to 0-1 at this stage.

Matters improved further three minutes later when Jennifer Kiernan got on the end of a Rebecca Keating 45 to steer home the first of three goals for the full-forward.  Dublin were on song and the clocked had just passed the quarter hour mark when Carragh Dawson levelled the game on 1-2 apiece.  Tremendous work especially around the middle of the field kept Dublin in the Wexford half with Aoife Molloy, Laura O'Mahony, Sarah Boland, Amy Conroy and Carragh Dawson battling ferociously.

Their efforts were rewarded in the 18th minute when Jennifer Kiernan cracked home a great goal to give Dublin the lead for the first time.   Ciara Carolan extended this to three points with a fabulous point in the 22th minute. But it was a brief period of ascendancy as Wexford hit back from the puck out with another great point from Annie Stafford before she helped set up Joanne Dillon for Wexford's second goal in the 19th minute.  Dublin would not regain the lead for another 43 minutes.

Dublin 'keeper Ciara McDonell was playing soundly and her long puck outs were beneficial.  But Wexford finished the half strongly with goals from Annie Stafford and Leah Walsh to lead by 4-4 to 2-3 at the break.  A brilliant hook by Hannah Hegarty denied Wexford another goal in the 21st minute.  Although the Wexford 'keeper did brilliantly to deny Amy Conroy on the stroke of half-time.

From the resumption Wexford pressed hard for a tonic opening score but the Dublin defence was resolute and full-back Danille White was superb in the position. Corner backs Eimear Garvey and Amy Gorman were also outstanding while Ciara Buchannon now operating at left back had a great second half.

Jennifer Kiernan was proving a handful at full-forward and a great catch from her was the prelude to a Dublin free which Amy Conroy pointed in the 34th minute.  A minute later Jennifer was in the thick of the action again with her third goal.  The cheers had barely died down when Aoife Molloy landed a great point from 40m as Dublin clawed their way back.  Five minutes later in the 40 minute, Zenouska Murphy set up Carragh Dawson for her second point to leave just a point between the sides.

Although Wexford's scoring had dried up they were still presenting a potent threat.  The move of Hannah Hegarty on to dangerwoman Annie Stafford worked as the Wexford star had to forage out around the middle of the field for possession where she presented less of a threat.  They also had a few shots on goal that just fell wide.

The 49th minute arrived when Amy Conroy bore down on the Wexford goal. Her rising shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar by the 'keeper to bring the sides level.

But Wexford were battling to the finish and Dublin had to try Plan B.  The ace in the pack saw Emma Loo come on in goals with Ciara McDonell moving to corner forward. Dublin's full-back Danielle White made some spectacular catches as the game edged towards the final stages.  Dublin's half forward line were finding it difficult to make progress particularly one side but when a free was conceded about 50m Ciara McDonell showed great composure to nail the score in the 59th minute.

Dublin should have finished the game in the next two minutes but two great chances were lost before Ciara McDonell stretched the lead to two points.  With added time due to a number of injuries, Wexford still had time to stage a late rally and it looked like Dublin would pay the ultimate price when Olivia Lambert was put through with a player to spare but she opted to take her point with a goal looking certain.   Dublin had more defending to do and when Annie Stafford claimed possession close to goal, Dublin hearts missed a beat but heroic defending saved the day.

Ciara McDonell (0-2, 1f), Eimear Garvey, Danielle White, Amy Gorman, Zenouska Murphy, Ciara Buchannon, Hannah Hegarty, Rebecca Keating (0-1), Aoife Molloy (0-1), Cara Dawson (0-2), Laura O'Mahony, Amy Conroy (0-2, 1f), Sarah Boland, Jennifer Kiernan (3-0), Ciara Carolan (0-1)

Sub Emma Loo.

Wexford scorers: Annie Stafford (1-4), Joanne Dillon (2-0), Leah Walsh (1-0), Olivia Lambert (0-1)

Ref:  Alan Lagrue

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