Wexford 7-19
Louth 1-6
The Wexford ladies football team had a convincing thirty one point winning margin over Louth in Stabannon on Sunday last. Louth who were regraded from Senior to intermediate this year were expected to provide stiff opposition. However they never reached the heights that they are capable of and were short several key players.
This game was over as a contest after only ten minutes. Roseanna Heaney opened the scoring for Louth after only 17 secs with a neat point after good movement from Marie Brennan created the opening. Wexford’s response was immediate as Michelle Hearne had the ball in the Louth net after 57 secs with Ciara Scallan, Michelle Doyle and Kate Kelly involved in the build up. Further scores from Georgina Moore 1-1, Hearne 1-0, Deirdre Fox, Caroline Murphy and Josie Dwyer to open up a 3-4 to 0-1 lead after 10 mins. Wexford continued to dominate the remainder of the half with goals from Michelle Hearne, Kate Kelly and Georgina Moore and points from Kelly (2), Moore (2), and one each form Ciara Scallan, Josie Dwyer and Tara Moloney to open up a 6-11 to 0-4 lead. Louth scores coming from Bronagh McGrane, Ciara Rafferty and Heaney.
Wexford opened the second half scoring with a Kate Kelly goal and points from Josie Dwyer and Michelle Hearne inside the first 5 mins of the resumption and took the opportunity of introducing a number of substitutes immediately. Wexford continued to dominate the second half and further points from Georgina Moore (2), Tara Moloney, Maeve Hughes, Michelle Doyle and Laura Corrigan gave them a total of 7-19. Louth continued gamely inspired by the outstanding Orla Kirk to the end and added scores from Grainne Madden, and Heaney before Ciara Rafferty netted to leave the final score Wexford 7-19 Louth 1-6.
Wexford will face far tougher opposition against Leitrim in the next round on July 29th at Wexford Pk at 12.30. Leitrim lost narrowly to Sligo in last years All Ireland final and had a convincing win over Westmeath in their previous game.
Wexford: Mary Rose Kelly, Maeve Quill, Karen Morris , Leona Tector, Caroline Murphy 0-1, Mary Leacy, Sharon Kehoe, Michelle Doyle 0-1, Deirdre Fox 0-1, Josie Dwyer 0-3, Ciara Scallan 0-1, Tara Moloney 0-2, Georgina Moore 2-5, Kate Kelly 2-2, Michelle Hearne 3-1.
Subs: Maeve Hughes 0-1 for K Kelly, Julie Kelly for C Murphy, Eileen Hanrick for M Hearne, Denise Kearns for J Dwyer, Laura Corrigan 0-1 for G Moore, Kim Moloney, Naoimi Gogarty, Fiona Rochford, Catherine Doyle, Martina Murray, Mag Kelly, Bridget Curran, Lizzy Kent.