Dublin secure first league win against Wexford

On a sunny Saturday in Bunclody, which was in total contrast to last week in Down, the Dublin Senior Camogie went in search of their first league win against the Wexford team who had also dropped points in the previous round. Both Counties would definitely have considered this a must win game. 

Dublin started against the strong enough breeze. Wexford registered the first 2 scores of the game before Dublin were awarded the easiest score they will ever get. On 6 minutes due to persistent dissent Ray Kelly brought the ball from the Dublin 14 metre line all the way up to the Wexford 20m. Aisling Maher gracefully popped the free over the bar. This got Dublin going who then dominated play for the next few minutes. First up a great point by Sinead Wylde after a trademark run. Followed by another great run, this time from Grace O’Shea. A goal looked odds on only to be denied by a superb save by the Wexford Goalkeeper Keeva Steadmond. Next another pointed free from Maher who a minute later turned provider to set Kerrie Finnegan up for her first goal of the campaign.  

Wexford 0-02 Dublin 1-3. 

That was the last of the Dublin scores for the first half but in the remaining 11 minutes Wexford scored the last 4 points of the half to leave it all square at the break. 

Wexford 0-06, Dublin 1-3

At half time Dublin made 2 changes with Aisling O’Neill replacing Kerrie Finnegan and Sibéal Cherry replacing Emma O’Byrne in defence. It was Wexford who got the better start with the first point but then Dublin got going with Grace O’Shea levelling it followed by another pointed free from Maher. 

With the strong breeze at their back Dublin were playing quicker and longer balls into the forwards. This strategy worked perfectly as Gaby Couch in mid played a long low ball into Aisling Gannon who turned her player and buried it. As every defender in Dublin knows Gannon thrives on that type of ball. Even-though the girls were up 4 points they could not relax as shown by a series of top quality saves by Ciara Jones in the Dublin goal.

After a couple of Wexford points within 13 minutes Maher got her first score from play to restore Dublin’s 3 point lead which could have been far less apart from a perfectly timed last minute flick by Jody Couch to deny a Wexford forward what looked like a certain goal after a free had rebounded off the Dublin post. Dublin capitalised on this as Couch’s clearance went straight to Maher who turned and headed for goal. The play ended with Maher popping over a 45 for her 5th point of the game. Maher was substituted shortly afterwards but for someone who is just back from injury it was a brilliant 45 minute performance.

Scores in the final quarter were in short supply. However Dublin got 2 of the last 3 with Sinead Wylde getting her second before Gaby Couch dropped a ball over for her first. The game was in jury time at this stage and while Wexford got the final point of the game the victory was assured by then. 

Final Score: Wexford 0-10 Dublin 2-09. 

This was a critical win for Dublin as they climb up the table. It was superb to see Dublin grabbing 2 goals but credit should also go to the full back line including Eve O’Brien and Emily Adderley who both put in solid performances over the entire 60 minutes. It was great to see smiles on the faces of the Dublin players at full time. There is now a break of 2 weeks before Dublin’s two final league games against Offaly and then Limerick both of which are at home. 

Scorers: 

Aisling Maher 5 pts ( 3f, 1 45) 

Kerrie Finnegan 1-0

Aisling Gannon 1-0

Sinead Wylde 0-2

Grace O’Shea 0-01 

Gaby Couch 0-01