REPORT: Wexford claim first TG4 Leinster Intermediate Championship title since 2007

TG4 Leinster Intermediate Final

Meath 1-08
Wexford 1-11

By Aisling Clery in Netwatch Cullen Park

Wexford landed their first Leinster title since 2014, and their first Intermediate title since 2007, when they overcame a titanic tussle with Meath in Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday. Wexford led by just three points at the interval thanks to a well worked goal from Kilmore’s Maria Byrne. Although Meath got back to within a single score, Wexford finished stronger and frees from the reliable boot of Fiona Rochford ensured victory.

Wexford raced into a two point lead with Chloe Foxe converting a brace of frees after five minutes. Meath were unlucky not to get onto the scoreboard with Kelsey Nesbitt’s effort rebounding off the crossbar. Meath supporters were made wait ten minutes for their team’s first score, but when it came – it didn’t disappoint, Emma Duggan raising a white flag. Vikki Wall levelled matters when she got a turn on the defence. Wexford responded instantly, Player of the Match Clara Donnelly split the posts. The action was end to end with both sets of defences on top.

Emma Duggan levelled matters midway through the half but the game was turned on its head when Maria Byrne found an inch of space at the square and finished to the net. As the game headed for the final ten minutes of the half, Duggan got her third point after terrific support from Megan Thynne. Rochford pushed the gap back to three before Meath were dealt a blow as Kate Byrne was sin-binned. The teams traded frees before the half time whistle sounded with Rochford and Duggan both raising flags for their respective sides. At the break, it was Wexford that were the happier as they led by 1-05 to 0-05.

The second half exploded into action with early points for Rochford and Niamh Butler pushing them further ahead. Meath were given a lifeline as Emma Duggan converted a penalty which reduced the gap to two points. Shauna Murphy made it a three point game and Monica McGuirk was to the fore in the Meath nets as she pulled off a terrific save to keep the Royals in contention. Duggan brought the gap back to two points before Bridgetta Lynch hit a long range point to make it a single point game. The teams traded scores, Rochford on target for Wexford while Kelsey Nesbitt got on the end of a Royal team move and split the posts. As Meath pressed for the equalising score, Vikki Wall was unlucky to see her shot slip agonisingly wide of the post. Wexford survived the Royal onslaught and finished with aplomb as Maria Byrne pushed them two ahead before Rochford added a fifth and final free to give them a three point win at the full time whistle.

Congratulations to Wexford’s Clara Donnelly who received the Player of the Match accolade for her solid defensive performance and surging runs forward which set up attacks. Leinster LGFA wish both Wexford and Meath the best of luck in the TG4 All Ireland Championship.

Scorers: Meath; Emma Duggan (1-05, 1 pen, 2f), Kelsey Nesbitt, Vikki Wall, Bridgetta Lynch (0-01 each)

Wexford: Maria Byrne (1-01), Fiona Rochford (0-05, 5f), Clara Donnelly (0-02), Chloe Foxe (0-02, 2f), Niamh Butler (0-01).

Meath: M McGuirk; K Newe, S Powderly, O Duff; A Cleary, S Ennis, M Thynne; M O’Shaughnessy (capt.), K Byrne; O Lally, E Duggan, O Byrne; E White, K Nesbitt, V Wall.

Subs: B Lynch for White, M O’Brien for K Byrne, F O’Neill for O Byrne.

Wexford: M.R. Kelly (capt.); N Mernagh, M Cullen, A Tormey; C Donnelly, S Murphy, S Harding Kenny; K Kearney, B Breen; N Butler, C Foxe, N Moore; F Rochford, M Byrne, A Murphy.

Subs: K White for Foxe, E O’Brien for Moore, A Neville for Butler, T Doyle for Kearney

Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois)