The Astro Active Centre Enniscorthy hosted the cup semi-final on Sunday, March 6th where Enniscorthy Ladies 2nds played a tough game against Wexford Ladies 1st. The last encounter of these two teams resulted in a Wexford victory which sparked a flame in the 'Scorthy girls to come back stronger as a team. On this day, it was the victorious Wexford side who left the pitch with their place secured in the cup final after beating the Enniscorthy 2nds 4-0.
The whistle blew at 2:30pm marking the start of which would become a high intensity game. Wexford gained a short corner 5 minutes after tip off but a goal was not conceded as the Wexford shot was struck to the right of the goal post. This lucky escape gave Enniscorthy the urge to reform themselves when a ball passed from Enniscorthy defender Aine O'Brien, allowed attacker Roisin Nolan to carry the ball strongly up the line but was stopped by an oncoming Wexford player and also awarding Wexford a free from the half way mark. A quick free allowed the Wexford side to enter Enniscorthy circle leaving an open shot on Enniscorthy goalie Fiona Rothwell. Fiona made a fantastic save and the ball was then worked out by Enniscorthy back Serena Hatton. The two teams did not stay level for much longer as a Wexford short corner allowed the ball to find Enniscorthy's net, leaving the score now 1-0 to Wexford. From push back, Enniscorthy worked the ball through Wexford midfield where Niamh Buttle, Enniscorthy midfielder, sent a potentially super ball cross from left side to far post but unfortunately was not found by an Enniscorthy player. Bridget Gainford and Stephanie Kinsella's hard fights in midfield kept Wexford's Lisa Codd and Burt very much away from Enniscorthy circle. Later in the first half saw Wexford earn another short corner which was well defended by Enniscorthy but unfortunately led to a second short corner. Enniscorthy back Aine O'Brien made a great clearing which allowed the girls to work the ball out again. Soon again Wexford were on the attack and managed to rattle Enniscorthy net which tied up the first half where Wexford lead 2-0.
Enniscorthy entered the second half with a renewed vigour after a worthy tactical talk from coaches Ivanna Yates, Irene Doyle and Jacinta Kinsella. The home side worked the ball out of Wexford 16 yard beating a strong wexford press in the first few minutes. It wasn't long until Wexford obtained the first short corner of the second half where their striker scored a powerful goal. Enniscorthy played with pure determination now in hope of reaching Wexford's goal. Great runs were made by Caroline and Roisin Nolan putting pressure on the Wexford side. Wexford were soon awarded with two consecutive short corners but the ball did not make its way past Enniscorthy goalie Fiona who made tremendous saves. As the game was soon drawing to a close, Wexford entered the circle with power and scored once again. The final whistle blew resulting in a 4-0 victory to Wexford. Wexford tactically played to win short corners throughout the game but were kept from scoring on numerous occasions due to great work from Enniscorthy defence consisting of Aine O'Brien, Serena Hatton, Fiona Rothwell (gk) Roisin O'Muiri, Saoirse Power and Kim O'Connor.
Enniscorthy Squad: Fiona Rothwell, Kim O'Connor, Roisin O Muiri, Aine O Brien, Roisin Nolan, Serena Hatton, Caroline Doyle, Niamh Buttle, Meagan Petzke, Georgina Izatt, Roisin Bridges, Orlaith Breen Saoirse Power, Stephanie Kinsella, Bridget Gainford ,Laura Redmond Coaches: Ivanna Yates, Irene Doyle, Jacinta Kinsella. Aoife Foran(captain)
The whistle blew at 2:30pm marking the start of which would become a high intensity game. Wexford gained a short corner 5 minutes after tip off but a goal was not conceded as the Wexford shot was struck to the right of the goal post. This lucky escape gave Enniscorthy the urge to reform themselves when a ball passed from Enniscorthy defender Aine O'Brien, allowed attacker Roisin Nolan to carry the ball strongly up the line but was stopped by an oncoming Wexford player and also awarding Wexford a free from the half way mark. A quick free allowed the Wexford side to enter Enniscorthy circle leaving an open shot on Enniscorthy goalie Fiona Rothwell. Fiona made a fantastic save and the ball was then worked out by Enniscorthy back Serena Hatton. The two teams did not stay level for much longer as a Wexford short corner allowed the ball to find Enniscorthy's net, leaving the score now 1-0 to Wexford. From push back, Enniscorthy worked the ball through Wexford midfield where Niamh Buttle, Enniscorthy midfielder, sent a potentially super ball cross from left side to far post but unfortunately was not found by an Enniscorthy player. Bridget Gainford and Stephanie Kinsella's hard fights in midfield kept Wexford's Lisa Codd and Burt very much away from Enniscorthy circle. Later in the first half saw Wexford earn another short corner which was well defended by Enniscorthy but unfortunately led to a second short corner. Enniscorthy back Aine O'Brien made a great clearing which allowed the girls to work the ball out again. Soon again Wexford were on the attack and managed to rattle Enniscorthy net which tied up the first half where Wexford lead 2-0.
Enniscorthy entered the second half with a renewed vigour after a worthy tactical talk from coaches Ivanna Yates, Irene Doyle and Jacinta Kinsella. The home side worked the ball out of Wexford 16 yard beating a strong wexford press in the first few minutes. It wasn't long until Wexford obtained the first short corner of the second half where their striker scored a powerful goal. Enniscorthy played with pure determination now in hope of reaching Wexford's goal. Great runs were made by Caroline and Roisin Nolan putting pressure on the Wexford side. Wexford were soon awarded with two consecutive short corners but the ball did not make its way past Enniscorthy goalie Fiona who made tremendous saves. As the game was soon drawing to a close, Wexford entered the circle with power and scored once again. The final whistle blew resulting in a 4-0 victory to Wexford. Wexford tactically played to win short corners throughout the game but were kept from scoring on numerous occasions due to great work from Enniscorthy defence consisting of Aine O'Brien, Serena Hatton, Fiona Rothwell (gk) Roisin O'Muiri, Saoirse Power and Kim O'Connor.
Enniscorthy Squad: Fiona Rothwell, Kim O'Connor, Roisin O Muiri, Aine O Brien, Roisin Nolan, Serena Hatton, Caroline Doyle, Niamh Buttle, Meagan Petzke, Georgina Izatt, Roisin Bridges, Orlaith Breen Saoirse Power, Stephanie Kinsella, Bridget Gainford ,Laura Redmond Coaches: Ivanna Yates, Irene Doyle, Jacinta Kinsella. Aoife Foran(captain)
