Wexford County Girls gain revenge
Mag & Kate Kelly along with Michelle Hearne were on county duty at the weekend. The Wexford girls shocked National League Division One table toppers Galway at Ballinasloe on Sunday with a late goal, garnering two valuable points following their narrow 1-12 to 1-11 win.
Victory for the westerners would have guaranteed them their place in the final next month, now their destiny will be determined by Cork and the Slaneysiders on April 5. This was a small revenge for the Wexford girls after a similiar defeat at the hands of Galway last year denied them a place in teh All-Ireland final.
The visitors sowed the seeds with a solid first half performance after which they led 0-7 to 0-3 – Kate Kelly’s accuracy from placed balls crucial, plus points from Caroline Murphy and Ursula Jacob. Galway can be thankful to goalkeeper Susan Earner who denied Michelle Hearne's attempts on more than one occasion.
Gradually Galway worked their way back, and despite the challenge being tough, top-scorer Jessica Gill converted a penalty on 50 minutes to bring them within two points. Gill drew them level soon afterwards and further white flags from Aisling Connolly and Gill moved them two clear with the clock ticking down.
Amid the excitement, Kate Kelly won a close in free, leaving county team mate Una Leacy to blast the ball to the net for the winning score. Galway did have a chance to equalise, but a free tailed wide.
The Cork girls should prevail at home to Limerick next weekend, and should they defeat Wexford on the 5th April a play-off would be necessary between Galway, Wexford and Cork. However should Wexford win on April 5th against Cork they will book their place in the League Final on April 25th.