REPORT - Dublin Minors defeat Wexford in Rd 2 of the Leinster Championship

Leinster MFC Round 2

Dublin 3-10 Wexford 2-07

Those in attendance at the sun-drenched McCauley Park in Enniscorthy on Saturday afternoon were treated to a highly entertaining championship contest.

Dublin had a promising start when Eva Collis split the post in the fourth minute to register the first score of the game. However, it was Wexford who dominated the early stages of this high energy contest. With thirteen minutes gone on the clock the home side lead by 1-03 to 0-01. Wexford corner forward Ciara Whelan finding the back of the net for the home team.

The Wexford goal sparked a response in Dublin. The Dubs strung together a series of well worked passes up the pitch which resulted in a penalty being award. Dublin full forward Molly Bourke adjudged to have been fouled in the small square. Phoebe Macken duly dispatched the penalty kick with aplomb to reduce the Wexford lead to two points.

Dublin finished the final period of this entertaining contest strongly taking a 1-06 to 1-03 lead into the half time dressing room. Points from Molly Bourke, Eva Collis and Ellie Reen with Phoebe Macken tagging on two scores, one from play and a second from a free.

The second half began with both teams exchanging scores. The key moment arrived in the thirteenth minute when Ellie Reen struck a wonderful shot passed Wexford’s Aoibhín Kelly to give Dublin a 2-09 to 1-04 lead. To their credit, Wexford responded with 1-01 of their own. The goal was another converted penalty kick taken by Wexford full forward, Katie Ryan. Dublin’s lead was reduced to four points.

Once again Dublin responded. Molly Bourke hit back with a wonderful goal to give Dublin a seven-point lead as the game edged into the final ten minutes. Both teams exchanged points but it was Dublin who finished strongly to claim a six-point victory on the final whistle and register their second win of the campaign.

The final round of group games will take place on Easter Monday April 6th, Dublin at home to Kildare with Meath travelling to play Wexford.

Dublin v Wexford: Aoibhín Malone (Clann Mhuire), Caoimhe Brady (St Brigids), Kate Madden (Kilmacud Crokes), Ellen Fitzgerald (St Brigids), Kate Hanly (Cuala), Sophie McDonnell (Naomh Mearnóg) Captain, Keeva O’Donovan (Thomas Davis), Eilise Stuart (St Maurs), Marianne O’Farrell (Trinity Gaels), Laoise Murtagh (St Maurs), Ellie Reen (Naomh Mearnóg), Addison Cahill (St Finians Swords), Phoebe Macken (Clann Mhuire), Molly Bourke (St Brigids), Eva Collis (Lucan Sarsfields).

Dublin scorers: Phoebe Macken 1-03 (1f), Molly Bourke 1-02, Ellie Reen 1-02, Eva Collis 0-02, Eilise Stuart 0-01.

Dublin subs: Líadh Gargan for Addison Cahill, Áine Mulligan for Marianne O’Farrell, Zara Flood for Eva Collis, Ellen Morgan for Kate Madden, Layla Abkary for Ellie Reen, Orlaith Kehoe for Laoise Murtagh.

Wexford v Dublin: Aoibhín Kelly, Sophie Rossiter, Becky Foley, Ríona Byrne, Lauren Donohoe, Lucy Buggy, Megan Hayes, Lucy McCormack, Ellie Darcy, Kate Ní Luasaigh, Leah Roban, Maura Doyle, Emily Roban, Katie Ryan, Ciara Whelan.

Wexford scorers: Katie Ryan 1-03 (2f), Ciara Whelan 1-01, Kate Ní Luasaigh, Lauren Donohoe, Ellie Darcy 0-01 each.

Wexford subs: Róisín Dwyer for Megan Hayes, Emma Deegan for Kate Ní Luasaigh, Ruby Kurdiff for Maura Doyle, Orla Pender for Becky Foley, Chloe Murray for Ciara Whelan, Doireann O’Sullivan for Ríona Byrne, Chloe Kelly Doyle for Ellie Darcy, Ellen Goggins for Emily Roban, Cara Murphy for Sophie Rossiter.

Referee: Brian Foley (Wicklow)