1 v 0 
Athlone TownVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 April 2021 | 6:30 pm | LOI Women's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Murphy peno secures win for Wexford
Wexford Youths moved up to second in the WNL as Kylie Murphy’s 80th minute penalty secured a 1-0 win at home to Athlone Town.
The visitors finished the game with nine players after Muireann Devaney and Fiona Owens were sent off, in what were contentious calls.
Ainsley Frawley and Ciara Rossiter had chances to break the deadlock but the away sides strong defence frustrated Tom Elmes’ side for the majority of the contest.
The two clubs played out a rather even and uneventful first half, as it was clear Wexford lacked their usual urgency and patience in possession with little cutting edge shown in attack.
The Slaneysiders romped to a 7-1 victory over Treaty United last weekend, but the hosts were unable to threaten Athlone’s resilient defence despite dominating possession throughout.
A slightly late challenge by Devaney on Lauren Dwyer was punished rather harshly with a second yellow card, sparking huge protests from the visitors’ dugout.
Playing with a player less, the away side shut up shop and camped deep inside their own half to play out a goalless draw.
But ten minutes from time, Murphy was tripped in the area and the captain stepped up after winning the penalty to send keeper Abbiegayle Ronayne the wrong way and broke the deadlock.
Any chance of an unlikely Athlone equaliser was ended when the away side went down to just nine players in the last five minutes.
Fiona Owens was shown a straight red card for a poor challenge on Ellen Molloy, when the attacker at first glance looked to have been denied a goalscoring opportunity.
However, replays showed the through ball Molloy was running onto was overhit; and was comfortably going into the keeper’s arms, therefore shouldn’t have been a straight red card.
Despite an encouraging display Athlone remain second bottom in eight place on just one point, whilst Wexford trail leaders Peamount by two points as they move up to second.
Timeline
Past Meetings
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(Series 2)
0 - 1LOI Women's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town v Wexford Youths |
Ground
| Ferrycarrig Park |
|---|
| Ferrycarrig Park, Kilpatrick, The Borough District of Wexford, County Wexford, Leinster, Y35 E296, Ireland |
Ben Jaycock
I am a Sports Journalism & PR graduate from Staffordshire University. During my time at Final Whistle, I have covered the LOI National League, international games and the Women’s National League. Outside of Final Whistle, I am a researcher for World Rugby and a writer for The Rugby Paper.
It wasn't pretty but a big win in Wexford's season nonetheless but Athlone can take a lot of credit for what was a resilient display and will feel hard done by with their two sending offs.
Full time: Wexford Youths 1-0 Athlone Town
Straight red card for Fiona Owens who is sent off for a poor challenge on Ellen Molloy, when the attacker looked to have been through on goal. Athlone will have complaints as the through ball Molloy was running onto was overhit and was going into the keepers hands.
GOAL! The deadlock is finally broken as Murphy steps up and sends the keeper the wrong way to take a deserved lead.
Penalty to the Youths! Kylie Murphy is fouled after being tripped up by Clancy.
Penalty to the Youths! Kylie Murphy is fouled after being tripped up by Clancy.
With just 15 minutes to play it is all one way traffic but Athlone's resilient defence continues to frustrate Wexford.
Wexford substitution: Sinead Taylor replaces Lynn Craven
Wexford substitution: Lynn Marie Grant replaces Edel Kennedy
Corner to Wexford is played short and a quick one two is well worked but Rossiter's shot veers away from the goal.
Playing with a player less, Athlone will look to take the pace out of the game and run the clock down as much as possible to try and secure a valuable point.
Athlone down to 10 as Devaney is shown a second yellow after a late challenge on Lauren Dwyer, despite protests from the Athlone bench.
Wexford have been the better of the two sides at the beginning of the second half but it remains goalless.
Delicious ball in by Ellen Molloy is headed on by Ciara Rossiter but her header was saved well by Ronanyne.
We're back underway
A largely uneventful and even first half as Athlone have frustrated the favourites. Wexford lacking the urgency and patience in possession with little cutting edge shown up front, like they had last weekend. Work to be done.
Athlone substitution: Emily Corbett is replaced by Kelly Brennan
Murriean Devaney commits a foul when Wexford were breaking on the counter attack.
Wexford substitution: Kim Flood replaces Orlaith Conlon who is off with a head injury
From the resulting corner, Leah Brady volleys wide.
Corner to Athlone as a great ball by Donohoe causes problems for the Wexford defence and a scramble leads to Athlone's first corner of the game.
First chance of the game as Kylie Murphy cleverly put through Ainsley Frawley with a flick on and she went through one on one but her effort flew over the bar.
Wexford test the hands of Athlone keeper Abbiegayle Ronayne with a long range effort that was well held.
Very quiet opening to the match with neither side threatening to break the deadlock.
Another corner for Wexford but Kennedy's is off balance and her effort flies over.
Favourites Wexford haven't had everything their own way in the opening 10 minutes as the visitors have frustrated the Youths thus far.
Too much on the corner from Rossiter and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
Early pressure for Wexford is rewarded with a corner.
We're underway.
The teams are onto the pitch and we're just a matter of moments from kick off.
It is a dry and sunny 14 degrees celcius here in Wexford, perfect conditions for what should be an entertaining game of football.
The two clubs met three times last season in both the WNL and FAI Cup, with Athlone getting the better of Wexford on two out of the three occasions.
Last time out they drew 3-3 at home to Treaty as goals from Mo Nerney, Emma Donohoe and Katelyn Keogh cancelled out Rebecca Horgan’s hat-trick.
Visitors Athlone lie in eighth place, with just one point from two matches and will be desperate to ignite their poor start to the campaign with an away win.
The Crossabeg based side sit in third, just two points behind league leaders Shelbourne and will be desperate to improve on last season’s third place finish.
Star player Molloy was a joy to watch last weekend and showed why she is already a Republic of Ireland international and is on course to go to the very top, despite being aged just 16.
Tom Elme’s Wexford come into the game, off the back of a huge 7-1 away win over Treaty United, courtesy of goals from Ciara Rossiter, Sinead Taylor, Kylie Murphy and four from teenage sensation Ellen Molloy.
Good evening and welcome to Final Whistle's coverage of Wexford Youths vs Athlone Town in the WNL.