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Date Time League Season
30 April 2022 6:00 pm LOI Women's Premier Division 2022

Match Report

Russell delivers late draw for Galway

Julie-Ann Russell's 86th-minute equaliser helped wrestle back a point for Galway during their frantic 2-2 draw with title-chasing Wexford Youths at Eamonn Deacy Park tonight.

They could've won it in stoppage-time too, but unmarked substitute Maya Rutland hit the far post as she latched onto Shauna Brennan's free-kick delivery.  

Fellow attacking substitutes Lauryn Gamache and Aoife Thompson were also threatening without reward in a slow-burning second-half, as Galway ensured Wexford did not benefit from second-placed Peamount United dropping points at home in a 1-1 draw with Bohemian earlier today.

Visiting goalkeeper Maeve Williams will not look back at this game fondly, having made a grim error early on before failing to produce a matchwinning intervention when called upon in the final stages.

Becky Walsh's scrappy opener from the aforementioned mistake, just two minutes in, suggested this would not be plain sailing for Stephen Quinn's side.

After a sluggish initial response, they netted twice in three first-half minutes through Becky Watkins and a Kylie Murphy penalty to cancel out that forgettable defensive breakdown.  

Goalscorer Walsh relinquished possession cheaply in the build-up to the visitors' equaliser, but Watkins still had plenty to do on the edge of the area as she let fly after Ellen Molloy's pass.

Still reeling having just conceded a cheap goal, Galway failed to clear their lines and Kate Thompson panicked after a corner was poorly dealt with. She slid in late on Freya de Mange, didn't win the ball, and none of her teammates had any complaints as the referee quickly pointed to the spot.  

Murphy slotted home from twelve yards and just like that, Wexford were firmly in the ascendancy. Passing with purpose and looking dangerous in transition, Galway goalkeeper Abbiegayle Ronayne had to remain alert as half-chances weren't in short supply.

The second-half was noticeably different though, a stop-start affair punctuated by fouls aplenty and stoppages as the hosts gradually got back into proceedings. It felt fitting then that their best player on the evening, Russell, was the one who fired their deflected equaliser.

Brennan's looping cross was weak but visibly unsettled Wexford's backline, as substitute Nicole McNamara reacted quickest to tee up Russell from range. She let fly, the strike deflecting off Teegan Lynch, as Galway were rewarded for their persistence - restoring parity late on, snatching a share of the spoils.

Galway WFC

20Abbiegayle Ronayne Goalkeeper
2Becky Walsh 4 Defender 2'
6Shauna Brennan Defender
14Therese Kinnevey Defender 65'
18Jamie Erickson Defender
21Kate Thompson Defender
5Emma Starr Midfielder
7Chloe Singleton 13 Midfielder
8Julie-Ann Russell Midfielder 86'
9Jenna Slattery 16 Midfielder
10Lynsey McKey 23 Forward
1Leah Hayes Cohen Goalkeeper
4Nicole McNamara 2 Defender
17Taylor Rutland Defender
24Roisin Jacob Defender
11Lindsay Guerrero Midfielder
13Aoife Thompson 7 Forward
19Saoirse Healey Forward
23Maya Rutland 10 Forward
16Lauryn Gamache 9 Forward 75'

Wexford Yths

21Maeve Williams Goalkeeper
3Orlaith Conlon Defender
12Ciara Rossiter Defender 70'
14Meabh Russell Defender
16Nicola Sinnott Defender
4Della Doherty Midfielder
6Kylie Murphy Midfielder 21'
7Teegan Lynch Midfielder
10Ellen Molloy Midfielder
20Freya de Mange Midfielder 26'
9Becky Watkins Forward 18'
1Claudia Keenan Goalkeeper
2Emma Donohoe Defender
13Jess Lawler Forward
19Cliodhna Donnelly Midfielder
22Freya Roche Forward
23Emma Walker Midfielder
24Grace Fitzpatrick Ryan Defender
25Siun Murdiff Midfielder
  • 94'

    A frantic start and a frenetic finish to an end-to-end affair that could\'ve gone either way, the spoils are ultimately shared - a result neither side will want, but they\'ll have to settle for tonight. Thanks for joining me, I\'ve been Mosope Ominiyi, stay tuned to the site for more coverage across the grounds, with my full match report to come.

  • 94'

    Full-time: Galway 2-2 Wexford Youths. Rutland will rue her miss at the death, but Galway did well to recover a draw from a game they easily could've lost here.

  • 93'

    Brennan's delivery is perfectly-weighted at the far post, Rutland is unmarked but watches as her effort hits the post!

  • 91'

    Russell smartly draws a free-kick in a dangerous position, Brennan steps up to take...

  • 90'

    The fourth official signals for four minutes of stoppage-time to play, will either side snatch a late winner? Late drama could still be in store here..

  • 86'

    GOAL! Russell equalises with a deflected strike into the far corner! Just like that, it's 2-2 and not over yet!

  • 80'

    Big chance missed! Thompson, fresh off the bench, glances an effort narrowly wide of the far post as Galway are increasing their intensity in search of that all-important equaliser now...

  • 78'

    Double sub for the hosts now: Rutland and Thompson on for McKey and Singleton

  • 70'

    Another booking and after the referee corrects himself, it\'s Rossiter who enters the book for a forceful challenge near the touchline that appears to spark confusion and anger from both sets of players. This game is heating up now...

  • 66'

    Gamache has been a pest in the final third for the hosts since coming on at half-time, had a shot blocked earlier and continues to lurk dangerously - but it's her heavy touch that kills a potentially dangerous breakaway from Ronayne's big kick forward.

  • 65'

    Kinnevey, named in the Team of the Week last weekend, is next into the referee's book after committing an overzealous challenge right under the official's nose.

  • 60'

    Here's that substitution: Nicole McNamara on for Walsh, no need to risk her with that previous ankle complaint.

  • 59'

    Two half-chances in quick succession for Wexford are ultimately snuffed out by the grateful gloves of Ronayne, who are again passing the ball with zest after a so-so start to this second-half.

  • 58'

    Back underway again and while some Galway players have taken the opportunity to warm up down the sidelines, it seems Walsh will continue - at least for now - though a substitution is imminent.

  • 56'

    Walsh is down and receiving treatment, having sustained a suspected ankle injury. Play halted for the meantime.

  • 45'

    Substitution for Galway at the interval: Slattery\'s miss was her last action of the evening, as she\'s replaced by Lauryn Gamache.

  • 46'

    The hosts had a dream start after some horrific goalkeeping, but besides Slattery\'s late chance, haven\'t done enough to truly probe a shaky Maeve Williams in the visitors\' goal. Wexford were slow to respond but eventually did and are deservedly ahead thus far.

  • 46'

    Half-time! Galway 1-2 Wexford Youths and on the balance of play, you can't really argue with that scoreline.

  • 45'

    The fourth official signals for just one minute of stoppage-time to be played.

  • 42'

    Brennan does well to beat her marker, switches play across to an onrushing Emma Starr... her cross into the area is just behind Jenna Slattery though, who mistimes a glancing header and Williams can claim the danger.

  • 39'

    Ronayne called into action twice in quick succession, first to punch clear from an inswinging corner, then smother the danger from a Della Doherty effort which was well-intentioned but lacked any power to trouble the 'keeper.

  • 32'

    This game has become an end-to-end affair now, though there's not much to report in the way of goalmouth action right now. Wexford are popping the ball with confidence now, a good sign given how they began.

  • 26'

    The game's first booking is issued to Freya de Mange, the referee having played advantage earlier, penalises the midfielder for a cynical scyth attempt stopping a counter-attack.

  • 22'

    Kate Thompson was late with her challenge inside the box as Galway failed to clear their lines from a corner. There were no complaints as she slid in on Freya de Mange, Murphy making no mistake from twelve yards.

  • 21'

    GOAL! Wexford in-front from the penalty spot! Kylie Murphy calmly slots low and hard past Ronayne.

  • 19'

    Becky Walsh gives away possession cheaply, Molloy pounces and feeds Watkins - who lets fly - goalkeeper Ronayne should do better, but can only get a hand to it as it nestles towards the far corner.

  • 18'

    GOAL! Becky Watkins levels the score with a well-taken strike from distance!

  • 16'

    Play stops momentarily as Russell is on the receiving end of a forceful but clean 50-50 challenge that winded her, refuses physio treatment and hobbles forward. Hopefully she's okay to continue and can just keep moving.

  • 10'

    Julie-Ann Russell shows excellent close-control dribbling to evade three opposition players in a tight space, passes possession forward but the eventual cross is comfortably held this time by Williams.

  • 6'

    Lively, frenetic start by both, littered by poor touches and not much in the way of chances - besides audacious efforts from distance not troubling either goalkeeper. No immediate response from Wexford.

  • 2'

    GOAL! Maeve Williams makes a mess of an inswinging corner delivery, Becky Walsh gets the last touch in a scramble and pokes home from close-range as the ball trickles over the line. Horror start for the visitors.

  • Kick-off! We're underway in a must-win game for Wexford Youths. Let's see how they fare here.

  • The two teams are out, pre-match pleasantries almost over and we'll soon be underway. Perhaps from the music or the dozens of kids in attendance, there's a real family feeling about this affair.

  • Speaking of the visitors, their team news has arrived! Just one change to the starting eleven, with Freya De Mange replacing Aoibheann Clancy. Check the line-ups tab, to see it all.

  • Shelbourne strolled to a 5-0 thrashing against bottom side Treaty United, so as evidenced by my preview, the onus is on tonight's visitors to respond after their midweek defeat.

  • Elsewhere today, Peamount United were held to a 1-1 draw with second-bottom side Bohemians. That result means, should Wexford win this evening, they'll close the gap on second-place to a point.

  • Team news to come from both sides shortly, I'll provide it when they release it. Before then though, let's set the table as matches across the league directly impact the stakes here...

  • Good evening and welcome to tonight's live commentary, as Galway WFC host title hopefuls Wexford United with the 6pm kick-off just under an hour away now! My name's Mosope Ominiyi, I'll be describing the evening's action as it unfolds from Eamonn Deacy Park.

Past Meetings

(Series 23)
0 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

(Series 14)
0 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

(Series 5)
5 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

(Series 2 - Group 1)
0 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

(Series 4)
3 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

(Quarter Final)
2 - 3
FAI Women's Cup
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

(Round 16)
2 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

(Round 11)
2 - 6
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

(Round 3)
2 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

(Round 18)
1 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

(Round 12)
3 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

(Round 5)
1 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

0 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

0 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

2 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

2 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

1 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

1 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

2 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

(Round 19)
0 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

(Round 12)
0 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

(Round 5)
5 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

(Round 15)
1 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

(Round 8)
4 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Galway WFC

(Round 1)
2 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC v Wexford Youths

Ground

Eamonn Deacy Park
Eamonn Deacy Park, Dyke Road, Terryland, Menlough, Galway City, County Galway, Connacht, H91 ET6N, Ireland

Mosope Ominiyi is a freelance sports journalist and sub-editor with over a decade's worth of experience, having graduated in 2020 with a BA Hons degree at Staffordshire University. His work has appeared in The Times, MailOnline and Sportskeeda, among other platforms.