Having survived a late Wexford comeback, Leitrim booked their place in this year’s Intermediate decider and will line out in their first All Ireland Final since 2007 as a result.
It was nervy but Leitrim got over the line. Just as it looked like they had comfortably put a foot in the decider, Wexford struck back and laid siege to the Leitrim goal and almost forced extra-time in the tie.
Leitrim last made semi-final appearance in 2015, while Wexford were beaten by Kildare last year and once again endured semi-final heartache. Muireann Devaney struck a late goal to see Leitrim ahead 1-4 to 0-3 at the break.
Devaney turned provider for Ailbhe Clancy in the second half before slotting her second goal home minutes later. That was with Wexford down to 14 but they had scored a goal of their own through Ciara Banville.
Wexford kept fighting and struck 1-3 without reply to see out the contest, it just was not enough to change the outcome of this tie.
Leitrim drew first blood when Laura O’Dowd split the posts from close range in the second minute. Wexford were quick to reply and Kellie Kearney would wave the white flag at the other end.
The game would soon stop as Sarah Harding Kenny looked to have picked up a nasty knee injury and after a lengthy stoppage was stretchered off the field. When the game resumed O’Dowd kicked Leitrim back ahead in the tenth minute.
Jonny Garrity’s charges were a little wasteful with their shooting, they would tally five wides in the opening half and had numerous efforts drop short for Wexford netminder Sadbh McCarthy. At the other end Wexford were having similar issues in front of the posts, maybe nerves were getting the better of them.
It took 12 minutes for the next score as The Model County levelled through Tara Doyle. Leitrim looked a little frustrated with their chances missing the mark, however they would take the game by the scruff of the neck in the closing minutes.
O’Dowd added her third before Siomha Quinn kicked a beauty on the outside of her right boot to put Leitrim ahead 0-4 to 0-2 by the 28th minute. Doyle replied at the other end seconds later, but the turning point arrived through the returning Muireann Devaney.
Devaney who moved to Sligo in the Women’s League Of Ireland, has become a welcome addition back to the Leitrim panel this year and in stoppage time she would find the back of the net.
Michelle Guckian kicked a 45 which dropped short into the hands of a Leitrim player, Leitrim recycled the ball well and Devaney had a shot for goal blocked down, the ball was sent around the danger zone and fell back to Devaney, who on the second occasion, took her effort well and fired low to the right hand bottom corner, Leitrim ahead 1-4 to 0-3 at the break.
As the second half got underway Wexford found themselves down to 14 players two minutes into the period when Aisling Halligan saw yellow for a collision with Devaney. That would do little to knock the confidence of Wexford.
Two minutes later Ciara Banville burst through the Leitrim cover and fired a shot low to the bottom left corner which struck the post and landed in the net. That reduced arrears to a single point but the numerical advantage would soon favour Leitrim.
Guckian pointed a close range free to put Leitrim two ahead before Devaney slipped a lovely pass to AIlbhe Clancy who fired to the net for a 2-5 to 1-3 lead. Leitrim remained on top and Devaney soon added her second goal, collecting a long ball inside the Manor woman with a dummy skint her marker and fired low to the Wexford net.
Devaney followed that with a point and Leitrim in the blink of an eye had a 3-6 to 1-3 lead. Lizzy Kent’s charges replied with points from Clara Donnelly, Doyle, Aoife Cullen and Amanda Power in the next ten minutes but Leitrim still held an eight point lead when Leah Fox and Devaney pointed late on.
Michelle Monaghan made a vital save in the 50th minute to deny Catriona Murray a goal chance from close range, she could do little to deny Cullen a goal in the 59th minute which cut the gap 3-8 to 2-7.
It would be a pulsating finish to the tie as Grace Donovan, Chloe Foxe and Maria Byrne slotted over points in succession to put a point between the pair in stoppage time. Cullen had the chance to send the game to extra time but the free drew left and wide.
Leitrim had their day and a bumper crowd travelled to the capital and left needing to book tickets for the Intermediate decider on August 4th.
