Wexford 2-11  Dublin 2-8

Having beaten Galway, Limerick and Kilkenny, Dublin had every reason to feel confident of reaching an All-Ireland final.   That is not to say that they underestimated the challenge of Wexford but had Dublin converted one of the three one-on-one goal chances from the first half, it might have been enough to provide Dublin with the impetus to go on and win the game.

But the brilliance of the Wexford ‘keeper Aoife McMahon prevented that happening.   When Kim Hickey worked herself into a goal scoring position in the 19 ^th minute, the Wexford keeper committed a last ditch foul but unfortunately for Dublin Aoife Mahon’s penalty was well saved.

To their credit Wexford’s back were heroic in the second half as Dublin dominated play but could not break through.   For more or less 31 minutes of the second half Dublin bombarded the Wexford end but all they had to show was a point for their efforts.

Dublin had deployed Olivia Meagher as an extra defender in the second period but while this nullified the threat of Wexford super star Anais Curran it left Dublin a player short up front.   As the game entered added time Wexford went 2-10 to 0-8 clear but Dublin showed immense heart to come back up the field to score two great goals from Laura Quinn and Hollyn Kennedy in the 62 ^nd and 64 ^th minutes.   But time ran out.   Had those goals come 10 minutes sooner or in the first half, the result might have been different but on the day Wexford made the most of their chances and then defended mightily and are to be congratulated on their victory.

The Slaneysiders have a star in the making at full-forward where Anais Curran was immense.   She was first and last to score for her side with super points, the last one a majestic effort from the sideline.   Like all great players, she has that ability to make it look easy – always with that extra bit of time to make the telling strike.   She had able assistance from goalkeeper Aoife McMahon, Amy Cahill, Róisín Parker, Kate Kirwan and Kate Smith.

Dublin also emerge with credit from this great game.   Laura Quinn got them off to a great start with a point after 2 minutes.   Aoife Mahon, Hollyn Kennedy and Kim Hickey helped Dublin to a 0-6 to 0-3 lead by the 14 ^th minute as gradually Dublin were getting on top.

But a slip up from a sideline let it Anais Curran for the levelling goal in the 18 ^th minute.   The game now swung back in Wexford’s direction but it seemed only a matter of time that Dublin would hit the net given the chances that were being created.

That didn’t happen and Dublin trailed by 1-6 to 0-7 at the break.   It could have been worse only for a brilliant save by Ali Ramsden from Anais Curran in the 34 ^th minute.

Breeze-assisted Wexford extended their lead five minutes into the second half.   But with the extra defender cutting out the supply to Anais Curran, the Wexford attack went 17 minutes without a score.   Dublin’s backs Caitlin Coffey, Jody Couch, Siun Keating, Hannah Leddy, Molly Brown and especially Celine Atanacio cleared ball after ball.

The hard-working Niamh Gannon and Aoife Mahon were largely on top but the frees were always that bit too far from the Wexford goals to add to the scoring.     Thoughout the game Dublin’s forwards including Anna Geraghty, Gaby Couch and subsitutes Gráinne O’Driscoll and Katie McDonald never relented in trying to bridge the gap.

But as the clock ticked on Wexford began to see the finishing line and suddenly some space appeared in the Dublin defence which was clinically exploited.   Anais Curran put five between the sides by the 30 ^th minute and then Kate Smith hammered to the net on 61m.   But Dublin finally did find the key to unlock the Wexford defence with two goals in the 62 ^nd and 64 ^th minutes.  

Lots to be proud of and some great talent in the offing for bigger days in the years to come.

Dublin Scorers:  Laura Quinn (1-2), Hollyn Kennedy (1-2), Aoife Mahon (0-3), Kim Hickey (0-1)

Wexford Scorers:  Anais Curran (1-9), Kate Smith (1-1), Kate Kirwan (0-1)

Referee:  Ray Kelly (Kildare)