FAI Cup Report: Wexford Youths 0 - 1 Peamount United

Tadhg Williams reports from Ferrycarrig Park

Peamount ran out 1-0 victors over an unfortunate Wexford side in Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday afternoon.

In a game which could have gone either way, Peamount prevailed to set up a cup final with Cork City in four weeks’ time.

Wexford would have been hoping to take advantage of an unchanged Peamount side from their UEFA Champions League game against Glasgow City on Thursday night.

It was huge ask for the Dublin team to play two of their biggest games of the season within the one week.

James O'Callaghan placing a lot of faith in his starting XI's fitness after a very demanding game midweek.

The first half displayed few chances for either side, both sides playing quite a physical game.

Peamount pressed high and Wexford tried to catch them out with balls in behind to Blessing Kingsley – a feature of much of the half.

Peamount's first real opportunity of the game came on 15 minutes. Karen Duggan got her foot on the ball, and attempted a curler from 20 yards but Ciamh Gray got herself safely behind the ball.

The Peas came again on 21 minutes with a huge opportunity. Eleanor Ryan Doyle's low ball into the box from the left flank probably should have been met by one of her teammates. It was Wexford's Lynn Craven who cleared it away.

Wexford certainly got forward in the first half and controlled most of the possession, Kingsley and Ellen Molloy showing very classy moments of link up play and Aisling Frawley looking dangerous down the right.

But the Peamount defence were cleaning up everything, Claire Walsh with some inspirational challenges and Niamh Farrelly keeping the back four calm and composed.

Wexford scuppered a huge chance on 27 minutes. Kylie Murphy's diagonal ball into the box to Aisling Frawley coudn't be taken under control by the Wexford winger and it bobbled out for a goal kick.

Kylie Murphy had a free kick on the half-hour just outside the Peamount box rebound off the wall, landing again at her feet, but her second attempt landed safely in the hands of Niamh Reid-Burke.

Peamount had a chance six minutes later from a Farrelly's free kick. Her floating ball from the halfway line was met by the outstretched leg of Ryan Doyle but rolled into Gray’s gloves.

Wexford's pace was something Peamount struggled with throughout the game. Lynn Craven's through ball to Ciara Rossiter just before half time, if anything, showed off the Wexford left full's pace, almost breaking herself to get to the ball. Her low ball into the box was claimed by Niamh Reid-Burke in the Peamount goal.

It was end to end stuff in the first five minutes of the second half. Both teams getting in behind the defensive lines.

An incredible bit of Molloy skill won Wexford a free. Ciara Rossiter's attempt from about 30 yards probably just skimmed the cross bar.

Megan Smyth-Lynch came on early in the second half and looked very tricky in her early moments while Frawley and Kingsley's pace caused problems for the Peamount defence.

But it was Peamount who broke the deadlock on the 53rd minute. Deirbhile Beirne's strike from the left side of the box found the bottom right-hand corner after a period of sustained pressure. Megan Smyth-Lynch provided a superb ball to find her.

It was all Peamount in the following few minutes, taking the ball from Wexford on the halfway line and charging forward.

Áine O'Gorman had a new lease of life in this second half and lining up very well with Smyth-Lynch, who was an inspirational substitute by Peas manager James O'Callaghan.

Ryan Doyle had a powerful header cleared off the goal line by Nicola Sinnott, another huge chance which could have extended the Dublin team's lead.

Wexford started to get back involved in the game midway through the half, using the wide areas and getting balls into the box.

Frawley beat a couple of players but the final ball was too high for Lauren Kelly at the far post.

It was Kelly herself who created probably Wexford's best chance  of the game on 72 minutes.

Her cross was met by the head of Molloy and goalkeeper Reid-Burke was beaten all ends up; the ball coming off the crossbar and cleared well by the Peamount defence

The game really opened up after that opportunity with both teams creating chances, and certainly there were possibilities for more goals.

Wexford would have felt cheated out of a stonewall penalty after 77 minutes. Sinead Taylor was blatantly fouled in the box but referee Paula Brady waved play on.  

Wexford pushed hard in the following few minutes. Vanessa Ogbonna using her physicality to put pressure on the Peamount defence, looking direct and powerful on the ball.

Rossiter pushed forward and looking to beat players and get balls into dangerous areas while Kelly was also keen to get on the ball at every opportunity.

Peamount had another chance to extend their lead with 10 minutes to go. O'Gorman's cross had Gray beat in the Wexford goal but Ryan Doyle couldn’t get a good enough connection on the shot.

Rossiter had an incredible chance three minutes later. Murphy’s ball into the box was met by a powerful left footed shot but Walsh slid in with an unbelievable challenge to get the ball clear.

Peamount showed their experience in the final few minutes, controlling the ball and not wasting possession, leaving the clock run down.

But Wexford continued to create chances and Rossiter ran herself into the ground showing phenomenal effort to get her team forward.

Farrelly came to Peamount's rescue in the fourth minute of injury time as a through-ball broke for the Wexford attackers.

Ogbonna and Molloy ran onto it but the ball was cleared away by the Irish international, effectively finding row Z.

Despite Wexford’s effort, the full time whistle gave Peamount the victory meaning they will face Cork City in the FAI Cup Final on Saturday December 12 in Tallaght Stadium.

Wexford Youths: Ciamh Gray; Ciara Rossiter, Orlaith Conlon, Nicola Sinnott, Lynn Craven; Lauren Kelly (Aoibheann Clancy 86), Edel Kennedy, Kylie Murphy (C), Ellen Molloy, Aisling Frawley (Vanessa Ogbonna 73); Blessing Kingsley (Sinead Taylor 63)

Subs not used: Sally Kelly (gk), Breda Cushen, Kira Bates Crosbie, Fiona Ryan

Booked: Lauren Kelly (77).

Peamount United: Niamh Reid-Burke; Deirbhile Byrne, Niamh Farrelly, Claire Walsh, Lauryn O’Callaghan (Sadhbh Doyle 65); Alannah McEvoy (Stephanie Roche 65), Lucy McCartan, Karen Duggan, Áine O’Gorman (C); Becky Watkins (Megan Smyth-Lynch 48), Eleanor Ryan-Doyle

Subs not used: Naoisha McAloon (gk), Tiegan Ruddy, Niamh Barnes, Della Doherty,

Booked: None.

Referee: Paula Brady

ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Megan Smyth-Lynch (Peamount United).