Heartbreak for Galway WFC as they crash out of FAI Cup

GALWAY WFC 2-3 WEXFORD YOUTHS

By Oisín Bradley at Eamonn Deacy Park;

69th-minute substitute Lauren Kelly’s strike ten minutes from time was the difference, as Wexford Youths ended Galway WFC’s hopes of FAI Cup glory this evening.

The ball fell to Kelly six yards from the goalmouth, and while her finish was simple, it proved vital as the girls in black ensured progression to the last-four in Eamonn Deacy Park.

It was a game which had everything, and a neutral would’ve got great value for their fare, however it will be little consolation to the hosts, who left their Terryland home empty handed

It took Galway all of 13 minutes to surge ahead after a sumptuous corner from Lynsey McKey, who found herself in space on the left flank before releasing a shot towards the near corner, which Wexford net-minder Ciamh Grant saved smartly.

However, there was little Grant could do about Meabh De Burca’s header, who rose highest to nod home following McKey’s pinpoint header.

Tom Elmes’ charges responded well to such a hammer blow when the game was in its infancy, and continued to commit people to pressing Galway in possession; in a manner not too dissimilar from the hosts in their previous match against Treaty United.

The opening half an hour was quiet for Amanda Budden between the sticks and she had little to do with thirty minutes on the clock. That was about to change however, as the visitors from the Model County piled on the pressure in a bid to level proceedings.

The first attempt in the Wexford barrage fell the way of Vanessa Ogbonna 35 minutes in after a whipped delivery from Ciara Rossiter, however the first-time shot lacked accuracy. Ogbonna turned the provider only moments later for skipper Kylie Murphy, whose looping header brought the first Budden save of the day, who tipped over.

Budden was out to claim the resulting corner, but that did little to stem the tide, and the Wexford leveller wasn’t

Lyndsey McKey cuts a solemn figure as Galway crash out of cup Credit Paddy Henry By Louise Toal

Newly appointed CEO of Connacht Rugby and NUIG graduate Ann Heneghan told SIN that she believes it was a serious mistake that Canterbury used a model for the launch of the new women’s Irish jersey, instead of a woman who plays rugby.

She went on to say that when launching the 2020 Connacht jersey, both men and women were used in their launch. Heneghan, who took up the historic role in August, mentions other provinces took the same approach.

When asked if the media were doing enough in promoting women in sport, Heneghan said, “I think it’s the women really driving it and not so much the media, the media have a big part to play”.

She adds, “if you see the attention I’ve gotten since becoming the first woman President for a province, the media are all over it. But what about promoting the women’s game? The media have a big part to play”.

When asked if the Connacht women’s team would

long coming in some style.

A Youths corner from Aoibheann Clancy was sprayed out to Rossiter around the half-way line, and the Wexford woman produced a wonder-strike from the centre of the park, past Budden to bring the sides back level in a goal that could grace any arena.

Galway would’ve been looking to get back into the dressing room unscathed at the changeover after the setback, however it would be them heading in in arrears after a late hammer blow.

Ogbonna was played in with a deft ball over the backline of the Tribeswomen, and when faced with a one-on-one opportunity made no mistake with a well-placed strike into the bottom left corner on the cusp of half-time to race ahead.

Galway were the side causing the threats from the off in the second half, and the pressure told in the 64th minute, after Jaime Turrentine’s sublime curling effort.

The American midfielder received the ball from a throw-in before turning on a sixpence and unleashing a curler from long distance to beat the keeper at the far post and draw Wexford blood for the second time.

Gray showed superb reflexes to make sure her net wouldn’t be rippled a third time after a powerful Aoife Thompson effort, which took a strong deflection as it sailed goalwards.

The following exchanges were helter-skelter, with the fans treated to cracking drama as both sides went all out to attain the vital score. It almost came in the 78th minute after fantastic interplay from the away side, however Galway’s defence held firm to block out.

The same couldn’t be said in the 80th minute, when sub Lauren Kelly found herself unmarked and in prime position six yards out to tuck away, leaving Billy Clery’s girls with a mountain to climb as the clock inched towards the red.

Galway were committing bodies to the attack looking for the vital moment, and it did leave them susceptible, however the last-ditch defending from Galway looked like it would be enough.

Their attack just couldn’t do enough, however and it would be the Wexford faithful heading home happy with their lot.

Galway WFC: Amanda Budden, Shauna Brennan, Shauna Fox(Aoife Lynagh 90’), Keara Cormican(C), Meabh DeBurca, Chloe Singleton, Aoife Thompson, Lynsey McKey, Jaime Turrentine (Lucia Lobato 79’), Savannah McCarthy, Therese Kinnevey.

Wexford Youths: Ciamh Grant, Lynn Craven, Nicola Sinnott, Lauren Dwyer, Orlaith Conlon(Lauren Kelly 69’), Edel Kennedy, Kylie Murphy(C), Ciara Rossiter, Vanessa Ogbonna(Blessing Kingsley 78’), Ellen Molloy, Aoibheann Clancy(Aisling Fahey 69’).

Connacht Rugby CEO speaks out over Canterbury slip up

Referee: Bartley Folan. soon turn professional, she explained the difficulties facing the province in feasibly undertaking such a prospect.

“Even without Covid we would face challenges because we would need a dedicated tournament similar to the Pro14,” the solicitor from Partry in County Mayo stated.

Henegan mentions one turning point for Connacht Rugby was having women join the men’s committee in making decisions for both sides, which is now called the Adult Rugby Committee.

Connacht Rugby will be celebrating its 135th birthday with an online celebration with fans for this coming November, with more details for how they plan to mark such a landmark date in the province’s history being released in the next few weeks.

The Westerners have endured a mixed start to their season so far, edging out Glasgow at the Sportsground in their opening game, but falling to a heavy 29-7 defeat to Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade the following week. Next up for Andy Friend’s side is a tricky tie against Edinburgh away from home on October 25th .

Galway United hit with two cases as Irish football feels effect of Covid-19

By Oisín Bradley

In recent weeks, Galway United were hit with the news that two of the club’s senior squad members tested positive for Covid-19. The news came in the wake of the club’s Airtricity League First Division clash with Drogheda United that Friday.

The news of the cases meant that all players and management had to go into isolation pending the results of tests carried out in the wake of the news. The positive cases were somewhat of a landmark, albeit a negative one, as they became the first confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the League of Ireland at either of the two levels.

“The SSE Airtricity League First Division fixture between Galway United and Drogheda United has been postponed,” the club confirmed in a statement on their website.

“Two positive Covid-19 cases have been identified in the Galway United squad and as a result the whole first team squad and staff are now restricting their movements and awaiting tests, following HSE and government guidelines.”

Galway United will continue to follow all protocols relating to Covid-19 and the players will isolate for the required period of time.”

John Caulfield’s men will be looking to usurp Cabinteely and UCD in the final two fixtures of the league season, having seen an uptake of form over recent weeks, which could see them sneak into the playoff spots.

The club also confirmed the rescheduling of the game, stating that “the new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.”

This is not the only issue surrounding Covid-19 to have reared its head in Irish soccer circles in previous weeks. Galway native Aaron Connolly and Norwich City youngster Adam Idah were both ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2020 playoff defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava due to being a close contact of an FAI staff member who tested positive for the virus.

Both were considered key cogs in Stephen Kenny’s plans to progress in the qualifiers, and the feeling of injustice was only heightened by the fact that the test turned out to be a false negative.

The drama surrounding the national squad heightened on the morning of their UEFA Nations’ League draw with Wales at the Aviva Stadium. Callum Robinson, John Egan, Callum O’Dowda and Alan Browne were ruled out due to being close contacts of a Covid-19 case.

Ireland’s next game in the Nations’ League is the reverse leg of their 0-0 draw with Wales in Cardiff in November.

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