Wexford FC Women vs Cork City FC Women by wexfordfc

v CORK CITY FC Saturday, 29th June

HUGH STRONG THE FANS

A MESSAGE TO

I would like to welcome everyone back to Ferrycarrig.

We are back to League duties tonight with a home game against Cork City. I’d like to welcome Danny, his staff, players and all the supporters of Cork City.

Last weekend we managed to book a place in the All-Island Cup Semi Final with a Quarter-Final win away to Linfield.

I want to thank all at the club especially Alan and Dave who facilitated us with an overnight stay prior to the game in Belfast.

It certainly made a big difference to us to be able to travel up on the night before.

Results have been ok lately, I’m in the game long enough to know that things can change easily, so we definitely won’t be getting too carried away with our good form of late.

Hard work is a necessity for us to pick up points in every match we play and that will be needed again tonight against a very dangerous Cork City team.

Let’s hope we can continue to keep moving up the table by getting points on the board again tonight. I hope everyone gets right behind the team.

Hugh.

We are back at Ferrycarrig Park for this evening’s eagerly anticipated clash with Cork

There was nothing to choose between the teams when they last met at this venue in March, a draw on the night a fair result. Wexford come into todays game on a good run of form - winning the last 3 League games.

A fourth win on the bounce came last week, this time in the All-Island Cup Quarter Finals against Linfield.

The Northern Ireland team have a fine set up at New Midgley Park - super modern facilities with a nice stand on one side of the ground, easy to get to and with the fine backdrop of Windsor Park. The win helped of course but it was a very enjoyable road trip all round and we’d like to thank everyone at Linfield for their hospitality. The game saw the return of Grace Fitzpatrick-Ryan to competitive action - our talented young defender had suffered a bad ACL injury while playing for our U19s in May 2023. It was great to see her back on the pitch after such a long absence. We also witnessed one of the finest strikes you are ever likely to see - Freya De Mange scoring from the half way line! We will surely see Freya’s spectacular strike coming up in the June LOI Goal of the Month competition so make sure to get online to vote her number one when that happens!

Áine Walsh fired in our third goal of the day, the speedy winger has been one of our standout performers this season and Ceola Bergin’s excellent scoring run continued, the teenager scoring in her 3rd consecutive game. If you haven’t seen it, make sure to check it out - a superb give and go followed by a clinical right foot finish. Ceola could be heading off with the Ireland U19 team for the EURO Championship Finals in Lithuania next month, Jayne Merren, Méabh Russell and Nicole Nix also in the running for a spot in Dave Connell’s squad. That could mean Wexford will be without those four players for the home game against Athlone on July 13th, our All-Island Cup Semi-Final on July 20th and possibly the away trip to Treaty on July 27th. Virtually all of the U19 Ireland squad are currently playing in the Women’s Premier Division so plenty of clubs will be affected next month. It may have been difficult to schedule in another International break while the tournament is on but maybe it makes more sense to put in breaks for underage Finals tournaments rather than for Senior international breaks where maybe only one or two WPD players are called up to Eileen Gleeson’s squad?

Our own U17 and U19 teams are returning to LOI Academy action after the exam break. Congratulations to Noel Martin and his U17 team on qualifying for the Elite phase after last weeks excellent performance in Carlow. The girls are off this week and will start their Cup campaign with an away tie against Mayo on July 6th. Stephen Quinn’s U19 team will also compete in the Elite phase but also have the EA Sports Cup up next. They will be defending their title of course after last years magnificent Cup win. They kick off their Cup campaign tomorrow - away to Waterford. If you can get down to the SETU Arena in Waterford please come along and support the girls, kick off is at 2pm.

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WEXFORD 2-2 CORK

FERRYCARRIG

PARK | Sat, 23rd March 2024

Both sides entered this All-Island Cup group game low in conﬁdence, Wexford with only a point to show in their opening three League games and Cork rooted to the bottom of the Women’s Premier Division table, the only team without a point or a goal at that stage.

An even half hour saw both sides hit the woodwork but it was Wexford who broke the deadlock, Orlaith Conlon with a lovely half volley to the back of the net from an Aoibheann Clancy corner in the 32nd minute.

City struck back in ﬁrst half added time, Dorothea Greulich following up a rebound and ﬁring past Maeve Williams.

It looked like the sides would go in level at the break but a Ciara Rossiter cross/shot deceived the City keeper and the hosts were 2-1 up.

Within a minute of the restart Cork were level, Colleen Kennedy-O’Connell tapping home from close range, Laura Shine with the assist.

Wexford FC Women: Williams, Doherty, Tuthill, Sinnott (c), Conlon, Clancy, De Mange (Murphy 61’), Brophy (Lenihan 61’), Rossiter, Molloy, Corbet (McGrath 61’) Subs Not Used: Nix, Bergin, Russell, Lawrence, Lynch, Daly

Cork City FC Women: Fitzgerald, A Mendez (J Mendez 69’), Cotter, Mackin, Sena, Mangan, O’Brien (Dring 74’), O’Mahony, Shine (Barrett 69’), Greulich (Robinson 74’), Kennedy- O’Connell Subs Not Used: Walsh, McCarthy, McNamara, Donnelly, O’Brien

(Right) Claire O’Riordan and Danielle Burke in WNL action as Wexford Youths Women defeat Cork City 1-0 at Ferrycarrig Park, Aisling Frawley scoring the goal. 28th April, 2018

BIG MATCH

PREVIEW

Wexford look to keep their good recent run going while Cork are hoping to return to winning ways after their last two League games ended in defeat.

Cork have already surpassed their points total from last season where a disappointing 2023 campaign ended with a record of one win, three draws and sixteen defeats. The 2024 season started with two defeats and it threatened to be another challenging year for City fans but they steadied the ship at Ferrycarrig in March with a 2-2 draw in the All-Island Cup - Danny Murphy’s side battling back twice for a share of the spoils.

They followed that morale boosting performance with a win over Bohs at Dalymount Park and have since added victories over Sligo and Shamrock Rovers to climb into the top five of the table by the end of May. Three defeats (to Cliftonville, Shelbourne and Athlone) on the spin have brought a halt to the forward momentum however so this evening Cork will be aiming to restart their campaign again at Ferrycarrig,

City’s last win in the sunny south east came in 2020 when they beat Wexford Youths Women 2-1 with goals coming from Saoirse Noonan and Eabha O’Mahony. Those two have since moved on but Lauren Walsh, Shaunagh McCarthy, Laura Shine, Christina Dring and Ciara McNamara were all playing in that win at Ferrycarrig that evening.

City made some superb additions to their squad this season, American striker Colleen Kennedy-O’Connell and German midfielder Dorothea Greulich among them and they both contributed goals in the 2-2 draw with Wexford back in March. Orlaith O’Mahony joined from Shamrock Rovers in the off season and the Ireland underage international has added steel as well as creativity to the City midfield.

Eva Mangan has been another standout player for City this year and her performances earned her an Ireland senior call up for the EURO 2025 double header against Sweden. She was also nominated for Player of the Month in May and it was her spectacular goal that won the game for Cork at Dalymounttheir first away League win for 17 months. A player to watch out for this evening.

The Leesiders went all the way in the competition in 2017, Claire Shine scoring the only goal of the game in the Final against Karen Duggan’s UCD Waves at the Aviva Stadium (they beat Wexford at Ferrycarrig in the Semi-Finals).

The draw with Cork in March was another frustrating resultWexford ahead twice in the game but failing to get the job done. There was plenty of passion in the 2-2 draw with four yellows given out in the dying minutes so we can expect another full blooded affair this evening.

The home team are playing better football than they did at the start of the campaign, creating plenty of chances and putting a fair few away. Seventeen year old striker Ceola Bergin is flying at the momentnow on six goals for the season and Ellen Molloy is returning back to her brilliant best with two more classy assists in Belfast. Áine Walsh has flourished on the wing and Rianna Jarrett is getting stronger each passing week. The hard work in training has been reflected in the performances and results on the pitch in recent weeks but there’s plenty of tough challenges coming up starting with this evenings League encounter with Cork.

In team news, Michaela Lawrence, Siún Murdiff and Millie Daly remain long term absences through injury while Ciara Rossiter and Kylie Murphy may be doubts after missing last weeks game with hamstring and shoulder injuries.

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WELCOME

EVERGREEN FC

We are delighted to welcome Evergreen FC who have travelled down from Kilkenny to Ferrycarrig Park for this evenings League game!

Evergreen FC Under 12 Girls pictured after their recent Cup win.

Favourite Wexford FC Women’s player

Most Memorable game you’ve played in Striker

Kylie

Kim Little Ireland v USA in the Rose Bowl after USA won the 2019 World Cup ‘Greys Anatomy’

Depends on my mood, playlist is as random as they come

All a bit questionable - me included

Gamedays, definitely Nicola, Kylie, Lolly

Best Goal you’ve ever seen

Best Goal you’ve ever scored

Who makes you laugh the most

Favourite food

Where is your dream holiday

Most famous person you’ve ever met

Three words to describe yourself

Who has helped / inspire you the most

Freya - last week against Linfield

1st goal for Brighton vs Crystal Palace in FA Cup

Rossi

Jamaican / Thai

Travel South America

No one really that famous Reliable - Wise - Supportive

John Flood

Rianna in action for Brighton against Crystal Palace

At the Rose Bowl in 2019

Pictures from our win over Linfield

MATCH REPORT | LINFIELD 2-3 WEXFORD

New Midgley Park, Belfast | Saturday, 22nd June

First half goals from Ceola Bergin, Freya De Mange and Áine Walsh saw Wexford FC Women through to a second consecutive Avenir Sports All-Island Cup Semi-Final after a 3-2 win over Linﬁeld FC Women at New Midgley Park

Kylie Murphy and Ciara Rossiter joined the injury list and were unavailable for selection but Nicola Sinnott returned to the starting line up and led the team out. Freya De Mange was making her 50th senior appearance for the club and the talented young midfielder celebrated in spectacular fashion with a worldie. However it was a cautious enough start - the sides meeting for the first time since 2019.

Wexford began to get a stranglehold on the game and opened the scoring in the 12th minute, Bergin scoring her sixth goal of the season after a lovely through ball from Ellen Molloy, the young striker with a confident right foot finish past the keeper.

The hosts were level just two minutes later when Northern Ireland international Kerri Halliday found the corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Then a moment of magic from De Mange who put Wexford back in front straight from the restart with an audacious lob of the keeper from the semi-circle. De Mange has scored some incredible goals for the club, starting with our Development squad and then right up through the U17s and U19s but this topped them all.

The chances kept coming in an exciting opening half of football, Ferreira firing over for the hosts and Ellen Molloy curling a left foot effort just wide in the 38th minute. Nicole Nix had to be at her best to tip a goal bound effort away in the 40th minute.

Wexford would go in at the break with a two goal lead however, Áine Walsh thumping a right foot finish past Currie after another quality assist from Molloy in the 44th minute.

Wexford started the second half well with good efforts from Molloy and Walsh but the home team were right back in it on the hour mark with another cracking goal from Halliday, a right foot curling shot this time into the top corner.

That spurred the Blues on and they pinned Wexford back with their best spell of the game. Despite forcing a number of corners and free kicks Nix wasn’t really tested however.

Wexford fans were delighted to see a welcome return to action for Grace Fitzpatrick-Ryan in the 75th minute, the young defender making her first appearance since suffering an ACL injury last year.

It was Wexford who created the best chances late on, Mia Lenihan just wide with a right foot shot and Della Doherty coming even closer – rattling the Linfield crossbar with a wicked effort in the 82nd minute.

Wexford played out the final few minutes comfortably to book a well deserved spot in the last four.

Wexford FC Women: Nix, Russell, Tuthill, Sinnott (c), Conlon (Doherty 82′), Clancy, Lynch (Fitzpatrick-Ryan 75′), Walsh (Jarrett 82′), De Mange (Lenihan 59′), Molloy, Bergin Subs Not Used: Merren, Williams, Fitzpatrick, Healy

Linﬁeld FC Women: Currie, McMaster, Sweetlove, Hutton, Fitzsimmons (Leckey 58′), Chambers, Halliday, Hampton, Breen (Myles 83′), Ferreira (Knox 58′), Reilly Subs Not Used: Donnan, Johnston, McConnell, Marks, Gargan

WELCOME CORK CITY FC

City had a nightmare 2023 season, finishing bottom of the League with just 6 points on the board - they were without a win from March to October. For 2024 Danny Murphy strengthened the squad with new arrivals Dorothea Greulich, Barrett Eidson, Orlaith O’Mahony, Colleen Kennedy O’Connell and Aoife Robinson.

Promising young players like Kiera Sena, Niamh Cotter and Ellie O’Brien also had another year of LOI under their belt.

Their pre-season games were all played behind closed doors so Cork were a bit of an unknown quantity coming into the campaign. By all measures they have improved on where they were last season. The aim coming into 2024 was to finish mid-table, win more games and concede fewer goals.

At this point of the season last year Cork had one draw and eight defeats to their name. Twenty five goals conceded with just three scored. By comparison they are nine points better off at this same stage in 2024 with more goals scored and less conceded. And four places further up the table. That upward trajectory has hit a bump on the road with two League defeats on the bounce but they have come against top class opposition in Shelbourne and Athlone.

City will feel they have an opportunity to get back to winning ways at Ferrycarrig this evening. They have drawn with Wexford on their last two visits to the south east and a win tonight would see them level on points with the Slaneysiders at the halfway point of the season.

Cork have seen Wexford rise above them in the League standings for the first time in 2024 and having felt they had done enough to merit a win here in March they will be aiming to bring three points back to Munster tonight.

CORK CITY FORM GUIDE

L W L L L

(Last 5 games in all competitions)

HOME GROUND: TURNERS CROSS MANAGER: DANNY MURPHY

O’Connell

ALL-ISLAND CUP ROUND UP

Three of the four All-Island Cup semi-final slots have now been filled after last weeks exciting round of fixtures with Wexford, Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne all safely through.

The fourth spot will be filled later today when Galway host Treaty at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Shamrock Rovers booked their spot with a 3-0 win over Peamount United at Tallaght Stadium. There was some fun banter back and forth on each clubs social media channels heading into the game but it was the Hoops who had the final laugh in the end.

A tight first half ended perfectly for Collie O’Neills side, Lauren Kelly scoring a minute before the break. The next goal was going to be crucial and it was Rovers who got it, Áine O’Gorman scoring against her former club in the 64th minute.

Lia O’Leary scored the pick of the goals four minutes from time with a cool left finish past the keeper. That makes it three wins in three for Rovers who have recovered well from their poor start to the season.

At Tolka Park, Shelbourne came out on top in a closely contested game with Athlone Town, the Reds victorious on a 2-1 scoreline. Eoin Wearen’s team had to come from behind to secure a spot in the last four as Casey Howe volleyed Town into the lead in the 14th minute of the game.

Noelle Murray levelled it up in first half added time, tapping in a well delivered Christie Gray cross. Murray got on the end of an Amanda McQuillan long punt up the field in the 77th minute to score what proved to be the winner, Athlone’s defence caught napping.

Shelbourne remain the only unbeaten team in 2024 with ten wins and four draws in their fourteen games played (in all competitions).

Wexford had a super 3-2 win in Belfast with goals coming from Ceola Bergin, Freya De Mange and Áine Walsh. Kerri Halliday scored a brace for Linfield at Midgley Park. Full match report in this issue.

Wexford will have to travel again for the Semi-Finals as they face the winners of Galway v Treaty. Shelbourne received a home draw for their Semi with Shamrock Rovers. Ties are to be played week-ending July 20th.