DLR Waves produced a performance of incredible resilience, coming from behind three times over extra time to force penalties, where they won 4-3 to defeat Wexford Youths and reach the FAI Cup quarterfinals in dramatic circumstances.

The shootout of spot-kicks came about after a thrilling six-goal game over extra time, Rianna Jarrett’s late second of the game not enough as Isabel Finnegan struck a fantastic equaliser to haul DLR Waves to penalties. 

These teams met as recently as a week ago when Wexford ran out 4-1 winners at Ferrycarig Park, scoring within two minutes put them on the front foot then.

And they almost repeated the trick today, a corner causing havoc and a goal-line clearance to deny the visitors another early opener as they monopolised the ball in the opening stages.

However, it was the hosts who struck first this time.  Clearing their lines effectively, forward, Michelle Doonan was sprung into the Wexford half by keeper, Eve Badana, with plenty of space and produced a delightful finish, lobbing away goalkeeper, Maeve Williams, nonchalantly to put Waves in the ascendancy.

Looking for their first win in five against bogey team Wexford, a youthful Waves team suffered a blow as Wexford drew level six minutes later.

Ciara Rossiter made it with a brilliant, mazy run forward, cutting in from the left and cutely slipping in striker, Rianna Jarrett who tucked her finish tidily under the grasp of Badana.

Both forwards had also scored in this league equivalent last week and Jarrett nearly put her side ahead on the half hour, heading just over.

Rossiter was threatening every time she got the ball out wide for Wexford and duly, she put them a goal up ten minutes before half time.

Jarrett played a perfect pass out right to opposite winger, Abbie Brophy who’s cross was brilliant and found the onrushing Rossiter at the back post who crashed home a close-range finish, Wexford’s turnaround yielding on the scoresheet.

Into the second half and with rain mizzling down upon the UCD Bowl pitch, Jarrett sphered two fierce strikes in on goal, which were matched by two brave, vital blocks by the DLR defence.

A scrappier affair, not helped by the appalling weather conditions, saw impact substitute scorer, last week, Emily Corbet enter the fray for Wexford, Rossiter not as influential as earlier.

Away skipper, Kylie Murphy was then denied by a perfectly timed, last-ditch tackle by Hannah Tobin Jones as Wexford looked to seal their progression.

Again, though Waves showed their spirit winning a late penalty with eight minutes as the dangerous Doonan was fouled. 

Up stepped the striker only for Williams to save her spot kick.  Luckily for Waves though, substitute Cliodhna Donnelly was alert enough to dart in on and score the rebound, extra time suddenly beckoning.

We entered the additional thirty minutes with both teams keen to get a winner and avoid a penalty shootout with the prize a last eight tie against Peamount United.

And, thirteen minutes into the extra period, Wexford retook the lead, dramatically as Jarrett curled home a sumptuous, first-time finish for her second of the contest and potentially the final dagger through DLR hearts.

The spirited hosts weren’t done though and incredibly levelled for a third time in the nick of time, Isabel Finnegan unleashing a piledriver past Williams to send us to penalties.

As expected, scorers Doonan and Jarrett both converted confidently for their side’s opening kick. 

Ruth McDonnell then saw her effort saved by Williams, Nicola Sinnot unable to take advantage though, blazing Wexford’s second kick over the bar.

Oleta Griffin and Corbet both scored with ease, to make it 2-2 after three penalties apiece.

Home captain Jess Gleeson and Clancy both fired off target, effectively sending the shootout into a suspenseful sudden death showdown.

Two more successful efforts left it level once more at 3-3, before substitute Ceola Bergin saw her shot saved by Badana to cue pandemonium on the DLR touchline as they reached the last eight and a clash with Peamount.

A return to WPD action is up next for both sides, DLR Waves with the daunting visit of league leaders, Peamount United here (4pm KO) whilst Wexford Youths travel north to face Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds later that same evening (7:35pm KO).

An all-out classic here, one for the ages, heart wrenching for Youths but DLR Waves deserved it for an endless abundance of spirit as they progress to the Cup’s next round.