Wexford Senior side looking to follow good example set by U-19s
The Wexford Women's Football League awards night in the IFA Centre, Enniscorthy. Back (from left): Peter Doyle (administrator), Barry Dempsey (committee), Martin Cahill (Secretary), Aidan O'Gorman, Denie Curran, Larry Power (on behalf of his daughter, Amanda), Catherine Murphy (on behalf of her daughter, Katie), Ashling Kavanagh (Treasurer). Front (from left): Denise Leniston (Wexford Bohs), Aleisha Cullen (Forth Celtic), Niamh Tormey (Forth Celtic), Daire Doyle (Chairman), Rebecca O'Connor (Bunclody), Ciara Roban (Kiltealy Celtic), Jennah Molloy (Seaview United).
Denise Leniston of Wexford Bohs, the Wexford Women’s League Division 1 player of the year, receiving her award from Barry Dempsey.
Niamh Tormey (Corach Ramblers), Premier Division player of the year, with Daire Doyle (Chairman).
Aleisha Cullen (Forth Celtic), Premier Division leading goalscorer, with Barry Dempsey of the league committee.
Denis Curran and Aidan O’Gorman from club of the year Bree United receiving the award from League Chairman Daire Doyle.
Ciara Roban (Kiltealy Celtic), the Division 2 player of the year and top scorer, with Ashling Kavanagh (Treasurer).
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AFTER THE heroics of the Wexford Women’s League Under-19s on Saturday when they won the FAI inter-league, it is the turn of the Senior squad this Saturday when they travel to Arklow to take on the Dublin-based Eastern Women’s Football League in the national final.
Mick Bennett, who managed the Under-19s on Saturday, also looks after this Senior squad and is currently delighted to report that he has fully-fit group available to select from.
This, of course, brings its own problems as the strength in depth in the squad gives the manager a headache in selecting the starting eleven, with several players in contention for key positions for Saturday.
While the EWFL will need to be respected, they had a much easier passage to the final, receiving a free pass from their group when first Galway and then Donegal withdrew. They had an emphatic 11-0 win in the semi-final against Limerick.
Wexford on the other hand had a much tougher route, opening with a 1-1 draw against holders Kildare in Castledermot before a 3-1 win over South Tipperary in torrential rain saw them progress to the last four.
A trip to Cork saw a dogged battle before Wexford booked their place in the final courtesy of a late Nicola Dunphy goal.
After coming through those difficult games, the girls have earned their place in the final. Bennett is very happy with the frame of mind his players are in coming up to this final.
“Our defence is very solid and not conceding goals while our strikers are making life difficult for opposition defences, and the players have the ability to adapt to any game,” he said.
He fully respects the challenge that the EWFL will pose but is confident that this squad is fully prepared and ready.
And with four of the victorious Under-19s stepping up, Wexford will not be overawed by the occasion.
The last time this competition was played in 2020, Wexford reached the final when they were beaten on penalties by Kildare in Limerick.
The game is in Lamberton, Arklow Town’s home ground, on Saturday and kicks off at 2 p.m. All support is greatly appreciated as Wexford go for the double.
Squad: Aleisha Cullen, Annie Breen, Aoife McEldowney, Chloe Moynihan, Chloe Mythen, Gemma Corrigan, Gráinne McCabe, Hannah Kehoe, Hannah Redmond, Hayley Nolan, Katie Murphy, Laura Stafford, Leanne O’Reilly, Leona Breen, Mary Kaylan-Goodall, Natasha Byrne-Rossiter, Niamh Tormey, Nicola Davitt, Nikki Dunphy, Róisín Furlong, Tegan Fortune. Manager: Mick Bennett. Coaches: Dave O’Shea and Aoife Griffin.