Wexford Ladies defeat Sligo to reach Suzuki Final

Wexford defeated Sligo in the Suzuki National League Division
2 semi-final Banagher, Co. Offaly, on Saturday last on a narrow
scoreline of 2-9 to 0-11. Wexford were determined to overturn
previous defeats to the Yeats county as they had clashed twice
over the last two years, with the Connacht champions emerging
victorious on both occasions. So, this game turned out to be a
tough contest with Wexford reaching their first National League
final since they defeated Kerry in the 1986 Division 1 semi-final
and Laois in the decider. Wexford started the game playing against
a fairly strong wind and defended well to hold off Sligo’s threat
of a goal. A great save halfway through the half from the Wexford
keeper Mary Rose Kelly kept Wexford in the game and they went
in at half time only trailing by a single point, 0-6 to 0-5.

On the restart, Wexford used the aid of the wind to their advantage
and played long ball into their forward line. This resulted in
Kate Kelly scoring a goal in the first few minutes to put the
Wexford girls in the lead. Wexford built on this lead and Josie
Dwyer added a goal to her tally to further increase Wexford’s
lead. However, Sligo continued to battle and reduced Wexford’s
lead a number of times. Wexford fought hard to maintain their
lead and after a nail biting six minutes of injury time, with
Sligo searching for that much needed goal, Wexford held out to
win the game on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-11. Wexford will now face
Dublin on Saturday, May 5, in the Suzuki National League Division
2 final, under lights, with the game televised live by TG4.

Wexford: Mary Rose Kelly; Martina Murray (Capt), Nikki Scallan,
Aoife Waters; Karen Morris, Michelle Doyle, Leona Tector; Deirdre
Fox, Caroline Murphy (0-1); Bridget Curran, Kate Kelly (1-1),
Michelle Hearne (0-2); Lizzy Kent, Josie Dwyer (1-5, 0-4 frees),
Sharon Kehoe. Subs: Liz Everedd for Morris.