Wexford FC Women vs Galway United by wexfordfc

OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S LEAGUES

A MESSAGE TO

HUGH STRONG THE FANS

I would like to welcome everyone back to Ferrycarrig .

We are on a great run lately.

The last league game we lost was on the 11th May. It’s nearly four months since we lost a league game –that’s eight games unbeaten – six wins and two draws.

That’s an incredible achievement from the girls.

I am very aware that could come to an end at any time, and I don’t want to tempt faith by mentioning it but it truly is something that the girls should get a lot of credit for.

EVERY team is capable of beating each other, we seen that last weekend v DLR Waves, where we really had to “dig in” at the end to get the three points.

I’d like to welcome Phil, his staff, players and all the supporters of Galway United. Tonight, will be a very difficult game, Phil has done an incredible job at Galway. They are very much still in the hunt for the league, they are only three points behind Athlone and have achieved back-to-back All –Island titles. It just goes to show how far Phil has brought them in a short space of time.

Our girls will have to continue to show the same levels of work rate, desire and that willingness to never give up to have any chance of getting something from the game tonight. I hope everyone gets right behind the team.

Hugh.

We are down to the final six games of the season and another cracker awaits us with the first and only visit of Galway United to Ferrycarrig Park in 2024. It’s great to see TG4 at Ferrycarrig again tonight covering the game. Phil Trill’s team are having another memorable season after securing another piece of silverware with the retention of their All-Island Cup title they won last year, United this time beating Shamrock Rovers in the Final. They also remain well in the hunt for their first League title, just three points off top spot.

We have been on a decent run ourselves, unbeaten in our last eight League games with six wins and two draws. Unfortunately we didn’t have much luck in the Cups this year with penalty shootout exits in both competitions but we get a chance to avenge one of those heartbreaking losses tonight against Galway. That All-Island Cup Semi-Final defeat at Eamonn Deacy Park was a tough one to take having battled back from two goals down. We’re sure it will be fresh on the minds of the players as they walk out onto the pitch tonight. What made it doubly hard was the fact that it was the second consecutive year United knocked us out on penalties at the same stage of that particular competition! Having climbed above Peamount our focus is on catching United (the gap been seven points) so a win is a must for us tonight.

Once again we applaud TG4 for the fantastic coverage they have given to our League. After linking up with the FAI in 2021 they showed four games Live on their network and increased it to ten games in 2022. A third consecutive season followed in 2023 when they broadcast 12 games. And the viewers weren’t disappointed with the offerings that’s for sure with thrilling titles races going right down to the wire every season! All captured on national television free to air with top quality presentation and analysis. They will also have shown 12 more games come the end of the 2024 season. The deal the FAI signed with TG4 has been one of the best things to happen to our League and long may it continue. LOITV has also been a big success for the Women’s Premier Division with every single game shown Live on the platform and we at Wexford have a great team of volunteers who give their time freely to ensure every home game at Ferrycarrig is captured Live on screen in a professional manner for those that can’t attend. We have highlights of seasons past and present on our YouTube Channel as well so make sure to follow so you don’t miss a thing. We would love to have more people involved in helping us promote our Women’s team, from LOITV streams to photographers and social media channel assistants so if you have an interest in any of these areas please get in touch with us by email at mediawomen@wexfordfc.ie and join our very small but dedicated volunteering media team!

BIG MATCH PREVIEW

Galway travel to the south east looking for a repeat of last years result at Ferrycarrig Park while Wexford hope to close the gap to third spot.

Both sides come into this evenings game on the back of good form, Wexford having won six of their last eight League games while a Galway win tonight would be their sixth on the bounce (in all competitions).

The sides have met on five occasions over the past two seasons, three times in the League and twice in the All-Island Cup.

Wexford have two League wins to Galway’s one while United won both Cup meetings.

Wexford have yet to beat Galway United at Ferrycarrig Park, the Tribeswomen having left the south east with victories on their two visits in 2023 - first an All-Island Cup Semi-Final penalty shoot out win which was followed by a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Ferrycarrig in the final game of last years campaign.

Those defeats at Ferrycarrig hurt but Wexford got some revenge in June when they scored a last minute winner to take all the points at Eamonn Deacy Park. The sides met again at the same venue the following month in the All-Island Cup Semi-Final where the home team were victorious.

Since that win, Galway have played six games (in all competitions), winning five with one defeat to Shelbourne in the FAI Cup. Wexford have played four games since then ending in two wins, one draw and one defeat (to Shamrock Rovers - also in the FAI Cup).

Galway had a memorable season of course in 2023, winning the All-Island Cup and finishing fourth in the League (Wexford finishing seventh and ten points behind United). Phil Trill strengthened his side for the 2024 campaign - most notably with the signing of Julie-Ann Russell. The Ireland international with 61 caps to her name started the season brilliantly, scoring a hat-trick on her return to Galway and picking up the Women’s Premier Division Player of the Month award for March. The trajectory of her season has only gone higher, scoring for Ireland against England and France and then helping her team win their second All-Island Cup.

Trill also brought in American attacker Emily Kavanaugh, keeper Kaylee Hammer also arriving from the States. Talented young defender Lucy Jayne Grant joined after winning the FAI Cup with Athlone Town while Canadian striker Amanda Smith also made the move across the Atlantic. Another prolific striker joined in the off seasonEmma Doherty - the 20 year old attacker joining from Sligo Rovers.

These excellent additions to an already strong squad ensured United had a great start to the campaign, going ten games unbeaten with eight wins and two draws before their first loss in June. Galway led the League at that point before Wexford ended their unbeaten run with that 2-1 win at Eamonn Deacy Park.

United had a little wobble after that, losing three of their next five games (in all comps) but they have steadied the ship again with five wins in a row and are back to their very best. They had a comfortable 4-1 home win over Treaty United on Wednesday night with Emma Doherty scoring for the third game in a row. Julie-Ann Russell, Emily Kavanaugh and Jenna Slattery also on target. The win put them three points behind leaders Athlone who have to travel to Galway on the last day of the season for what could well be a title decider.

While Galways start to the season couldn’t have been more perfect, Wexford struggled to get going early on, winning just two of their opening nine games. A 2-1 home win over Treaty at the end of May was the starting point of a good run though - the Slaneysiders winning five in a row after that before drawing with Shelbourne at Tolka Park in July. Wexford’s only two defeats since May have been in the Cups which both ended in penalty shoot outs after a 2-2 All-Island Cup Semi-Final draw with Galway at Eamonn Deacy Park and a 1-1 FAI Cup First Round draw with Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght. Unfortunately the shoot outs didn’t go our way.

Performances have been steadily improving as the season has gone on and the good recent run has been built on a strong defensive shape - teams have found it tough to create many chances against Wexford. The back four in the League has remained pretty constant with Abby Tuthill, Meábh Russell, Della Doherty and Orlaith Conlon starting regularly together.

Russell and Conlon have only missed one game for Wexford this season while Doherty and Tuthill have played all 20 games. In front of them, Aoibheann Clancy has played 19 games. Then there’s the attacking threat of Ceola Bergin up front. The seventeen year old striker has scored seven goals in her first full season playing at senior level. The teenager is so strong and can hold off her marker to create a bit of space for herself or lay off to a teammate. Ellen Molloy has also been in fine form this season. The year long lay off with an ACL injury now behind her, the gifted attacker is getting back to her very best as evidenced in her outstanding match winning finishes against Treaty and DLR. Speedy winger Áine Walsh has impressed also, the 20 year old has popped up with some important goals to add to her pacy runs.

Summer signing Alyssa White is another player with the potential to change a game. The 20 year old American attacker has already suffered two ACL injuries in her young career but is returning to full match fitness and can make a big difference coming off the bench like she did at Eamonn Deacy Park back in June.

In recent weeks Wexford fans will have been delighted to see the return of Ciara Rossiter, Grace FitzpatrickRyan and Siún Murdiff from injury as well. Rianna Jarrett missed most of the start of the season, Kylie Murphy has had injury issues too which has interrupted her season. Hugh Strong has yet to have a fully fit squad to choose from but it’s getting better each week and the team performances have too. It all bodes well for a strong end to the season - after tonight Wexford will only play one other team that is above them in the table (Athlone). Wexford will still have to play at their very best to get positive results but fans will be optimistic of a much better end this year compared to last years campaign where Wexford were winless in the final five outings.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

GALWAY UNITED 1-2 WEXFORD FC

Galway United: Berlin, Costello, Dossen, Erickson, Kinnevey, Beletic, Smith, Meaney, McKey (c), Slattery, Olusola (Madden 74’) Subs Not Used: Hammer, O’Sullivan, Grant, Kavanaugh, Jacob, Tyrrell, Loomes, Duffy

Wexford FC Women: Merren, Russell, Doherty, Conlon, Tuthill, Clancy, Rossiter, Murphy (c) (Lynch 46’), Walsh (Jarrett 87’), Molloy, Bergin Subs Not Used: Nix, Williams, Healy, Sinnott, De Mange, Lenihan, Fitzpatrick-Ryan

Eamonn Deacy Park | 8th June 2024

Seventh placed Wexford travelled west to take on unbeaten League leaders Galway in a game that ended in late drama. The hosts edged the first half in chances created but neither keeper was overly tested.

The second 45 was a much more entertaining affair with both sides on the hunt for the opening goal.

It was the home team that finally broke the deadlock in the 80th minute when Jenna Slattery converted from a smartly taken free kick.

Rianna Jarrett came on to make her first appearance of the season as Wexford pushed for an equaliser.

That goal came with three minutes left on the clock, Ceola Bergin capitalising on an error at the back to make it 1-1.

A winner for Wexford followed in the 90th after Ellen Molloy was taken down in the box - Aoibheann Clancy cooly converting from the spot.

GALWAY UNITED 2-2 WEXFORD FC

Galway win 4-2 on penalties

Galway United: Berlin, Grant, Dossen, Erickson, Madden (Smith 62’), Beletic, Duffy, McKey (c) (Meaney 84’), Thompson, Olusola (Madden 74’), Russell Subs Not Used: O’Sullivan, Grifﬁn, Callanan, Jacob, Mullins

Wexford FC Women: Nix, Russell, Doherty, Conlon, Tuthill, Sinnott (c) (McGrath 57’), Clancy (Lynch 85’), Fitzpatrick-Ryan (Murphy 46’), Walsh (White 57’), Molloy, Bergin (Jarrett 74’) Subs Not Used: Merren, Williams, Rossiter, Daly,

Eamonn Deacy Park | 24th July 2024

Galway break Wexford hearts with an All-Island Cup SemiFinal penalty shootout win for the second year running.

Once again it was Galway who started the game better and had a number of chances before scoring in the 39th minute - Kate Thompson finding the net from close range. The hosts good value for their half time 1-0 lead.

Wexford came out of the blocks fast in the second but found themselves two goals down after Jamie Erickson headed in a Lucy Jayne Grant corner in the 51st minute.

The Slaneysiders were back in it however on the hour mark, Kylie Murphy converting Alyssa White’s cross.

Wexford were on top at this stage and they found a well deserved equaliser in the 87th minute, Rianna Jarrett getting the final touch.

Galway responded and forced Wexford back for the final few minutes but couldn’t find a winner. Straight to penalties where the hosts were victorious converting four to Wexford’s two to send them through to the Final.

Favourite Wexford FC Women’s player

Favourite International Player

Most Memorable game you’ve played in

Favourite TV Show

Favourite Movie

Favourite singer/band

Fav song you are listening to right now

Favourite Pre-Match song

Best taste in music

Best dancer

Who is first to training

Who is last to leaving training

Most skilful player

Quickest player

Who is always on Instagram

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

Ellen Molloy

Alexia Putellas

All-Island Semi-Final vs Galway

Friends

Devil Wears Prada

Tame Impala / Omar Apollo

‘All My Love’ - Noah Kahan

‘If We Being Real’ - Yeat

Ellen

Rossi

Rianna

Maeve Williams

Aoibheann

Áine

Ellen

Lamine Yamal (Spain vs France)

High School State Semi-Final game winner

My best friend back home

Mediterranean or Asian

Guatemala

Michael Porter (Denver Nuggets)

Optimistic - Curious - Driven

My family

LEAH ON TARGET FOR IRELAND U17s

Congratulations to Leah McGrath who played in both games for the Ireland U17s in this weeks double header international friendly games against Portugal in

Leah made a great impact from the bench in both games and scored from the penalty spot in a super 5-2 win for the girls in green in the second game.

The games were part of Irelands prep for this years UEFA EURO Round 1 Qualifiers which get underway in November. Ireland have been grouped with Spain (holders), Austria and Denmark with the first game in the group set for Thursday, 14th November (vs Spain).

SIÚN MAKES HER RETURN TO ACTION

After a year out with injury Siún Murdiff made her return to the pitch in last weeks U19 game against Bohemians in Dublin.

The Gorey native has been desperately unlucky with injuries so hopefully that is the last setback for the talented 19 year old midfielder.

Siún had a great season with our U19s last year, cocaptaining the team to Cup Final success.

GALLERY

THREE POINTS AT THE BOWL

Pictures from last weeks win over DLR Waves

LEAGUE ROUND UP

We start in PRL Park and Shamrock Rovers bounced back from their FAI Cup QF defeat to Shelbourne with a 1-0 win over Peamount United. The Hoops started well and got their noses in front in the 20th minute, Joy Ralph with a close range left foot strike into the net. The Peas responded and put plenty of pressure on the visitors but were unable to find the goal their performance probably deserved. James O’Callaghan’s team headed off to Croatia this week for Champions League Qualifiers.

Cork’s good recent run came to an abrupt end with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Markets Field. It was the second time Treaty United have beaten City on that scoreline this season.

Cayleigh Boeckx gave the hosts a perfect start scoring with a fine right foot finish in the third minute. Danielle Steer doubled their lead shortly before half time converting from the penalty spot and Katie Lawlee wrapped up the win with a cool finish in the 82nd minute.

At Dalymount Park, Shelbourne were unable to take top spot after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Bohemians. The Reds broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a header from five yards out. That goal took them to the top on goal difference but they were unable to hold onto the lead - Pearl Slattery gifting the hosts a penalty pulling back Sarah Power in the box. Former Red Alannah McEvoy dispatched the penalty past McQuillian.

Galway United are still in the title mix after a 2-1 win over Sligo Rovers in the Connaught derby at Eamonn Deacy Park. Amanda Smith scored her first United league goal in the 17th minute but Rovers were architects of their own misfortune with an error at the back. Sligo were back in it however when Paula McGrory levelled the gave from the penalty spot in the 35th minute. Emma Doherty scored what proved to be the winner for United in the 53rd minute, the talented young striker with a well taken right foot finish against her former team. Rovers wait on a first League win of the season goes on but they can look forward to their FAI Cup Semi-Final next month.

There wasn’t much between the teams at the UCD Bowl but an Ellen Molloy wonder goal gave Wexford all three points. DLR Waves will have felt they had done enough for a share of the spoils in a game of few clear cut chances but another touch of class from Molloy was the difference on the day.

League leaders Athlone return to action this week at home to Cork while second placed Shelbourne host Treaty United at Tolka Park. There’s another Dublin derby with Bohemians travelling to Tallaght to take on Shamrock Rovers while DLR travel to Sligo. Wexford host Galway at Ferrycarrig Park in front of the TG4 cameras.

Wexford climb up to fourth with a win over DLR while Athlone retain top spot as Shels fail to win

Photo credit: Mick O’Shea

ACADEMY

ROUND UP

Both of our LOI Academy teams were on the road last week and faced tough opponents in Dublin.

On Saturday our U17 girls headed to the AUL Complex to play Shelbourne FC and put in a spirited performance on the day, The hosts took the three points on a 4-2 scoreline in the end. Eimear Roche scored with a super chip over the keeper from outside the box while Lily-Anne O’Meara fired in a powerful right foot shot for our second goal. Molly Kirwan got assists on both goals.

The girls host high flying Athlone at Ferrycarrig today.

Special mention to Molly, Lily-Anne, Eimear and Aoife

McEldowney who made their second trip up to the AUL in the space of three days - the girls were all part of the U19 squad that played Shels on the Wednesday night, Aoife making her first start at that level.

Aoife and the 19s left Dublin with a well deserved point after a 1-1 draw with the Reds that night, Leah McGrath scoring her 20th goal of the season.

On Sunday our U19s returned to the capital to play Bohemians at the Oscar Traynor Centre. An entertaining game ended in a 1-0 win for the home team. Aoife came on in the second half and Niamh White from our U17s also played in the game.

WELCOME GALWAY UNITED

HOME GROUND:EAMONN DEACY PARK

MANAGER: PHIL TRILL

Galway WFC withdrew from the League in 2022 after ten years of participation. They had finished fourth in the League on a number of occasions.

Women’s football in the west was kept alive and kicking however with the news that Galway United would fill their spot and launch a team for the 2023 season.

Most of the players from Galway WFC were re-signed and United would go on to have a hugely successful seasonfinishing fourth and winning the All-Island Cup. They currently sit third in the League with six rounds of games left to play.

Phil Trill has been manager of United for the past two seasons. He won a League and Cup double with Galway WFC WU17s in 2019. He repeated that feat with Galway’s WU19 team in 2021 before becoming Assistant Manager to their Senior Women’s team in 2022.