Match report: Sheil strikes late for Wexford to break Kildare hearts

Lidl NFL D3 Rd3 
Kildare v Wexford 
Hawkfield. 
Referee Angela Gallagher (Dublin)

H.T Score Kildare 3.03 Wexford 1.07
F.T Score Kildare 3.09 Wexford 4.09

 

SUNDAY’S game was the only fixture in Division 3 that survived the weather.

 

Indeed, as throw-in approached and the game got underway, snow fell but thankfully it didn’t last as it melted in the Spring sunshine.

Wexford secured the points with a late goal but they were made work tooth and nail for the win by a very defiant home side.

The first score of the game came Kildare’s way – a goal scored  by Grace Clifford. 
Both sides traded 2 points apiece with Roisin Byrne for Kildare and Catriona Murray for Wexford who demonstrated the art of kicking a dead ball from the ground with accuracy.  
Wexford tagged on 2 more points through Breen and Chantelle Murray, who was a late replacement for Georgina Hearn. 
Kildare’s second goal came via Grace Clifford. Wexford were on the attack but Aisling Curley dispossessed her opponent, winning possession on her own 21 yard line before running the length of the pitch. She spotted Clifford free before releasing a perfectly-timed pass, allowing her team-mate to score.  Kildare now led by 4 points after 15 minutes of play – Kildare 2.02 Wexford 0.04.

Wexford responded with points from Murray (1 from play, the 2nd a free) after Kildare Keeper Rebecca McGuirk dwelled too long on her kickout.

 

Kildare extended their lead to 5 points when Ellen Dowling netted for the home side, before both sides traded points again through Murray and Sinnott. 

Half time was looming and when it looked like Kildare would hold that 5 point advantage, Wexford took the wind from their sails with a good move involving Breen, Sheil & Martin, with the latter netting a goal to leave the Half Time score Kildare 3.03 Wexford 1.07.

 

On the restart Kildare captain Byrne pointed 2 frees either side of Wexford’s 2nd goal,when Aisling Murphy’s shot sailed through a mass of players past an unsighted McGuirk in the Kildare goal to level the game.

Unfortunately for Murphy, this was her last action of the game as shortly after her goal she received a bad leg injury and left the field of play on a stretcher to applause from both sets of supporters.  
Byrne tagged on 3 more points for the home side with Wexford’s captain Kelly Kearney keeping her side in touch with another point. 
With 10 minutes to play and Kildare ahead by 3 points, they gave away a penalty when Caoimhe Keoghegan fouled an onrushing Wexford player.

Caoimhe received a yellow card and was sin binned and Martin duly netted the spot kick to draw the sides level at 3.08 apiece.

Byrne put the home side in front with 2 minutes left of normal time, a pointed free after Molly Price was fouled. 

With the clock showing 30 secs left Wexford brought the game level for the fourth time with a point from Clara Donnelly.

Injury time now and  Wexford were in the ascendency, Kildare defending very deeply trying to thwart the waves of attack on goals and unfortunately for the home side, and despite their best efforts, they were unable to prevent Aoife Sheil from blasting home from close range to secure victory for her side.

 

Full Time Score Kildare 3.09 Wexford 4.09

Kildare Team. 
R.Mcguirk, S.Kendrick, A.Horan, R. Cribbin, L.Scully, C. Keoghegan, R.Corrigan, T.Duggan, A.Curley,  E.Connolly, R.Byrne (0.08 4F), G.Clifford (2.00) N. Sinnott (0.01), E. Dowling (1.00) M. Price.

Sub’s
S O Sullivan for E. Connolly, M. McKenna for E. Dowling, C. Sullivan for R. Corrigan, M. Curley for R. Cribbin, O.Moran for N.Sinnott

Wexford Team. 
M.R.Kelly, C . Martin (2.01- 1Pen), N.Mernagh, M.Doyle, C.Donnelly (0.01), B.Breen (0.01), R.Murphy, K.Kearney (0.01), N.Moore,  E.o Brien, C . Murray (0.05 3F), N.Butler,
A.Sheil (1.00), M.Byrne, F. Bennett

Subs
A.Murphy (1.00) for E.oBrien.