Shelbourne 1
Wexford Youths 2
A CLAIRE O’Riordan double helped Wexford Youths to their second consecutive Women’s National League title this afternoon.
Will Doyle’s girls, who were crowned champions of the top flight for the first time a year ago, had lost out 3-1 to their nearest rivals Shelbourne at Tolka Park ten days ago and, as both clubs finished on equal points, a play-off decider was scheduled for Tallaght Stadium this afternoon.
It was Shels who drew first blood as captain Pearl Slattery got her head to a Keeva Keenan free-kick to nod past goalkeeper Tamara Furlong on 14 minutes.
After losing defender Jessica Gleeson to injury in the first half, Youths pushed for an equaliser and O’Riordan was in the right place to take advantage of Linda Douglas’ cross after fine work out wide from the winger.
On 70 minutes, it was O’Riordan again who got her name on the scoresheet after a mistake by Niamh Walsh allowed the striker time and space to find the back of the net.
And matters got worse for Shels, who also lost out to Wexford in the FAI Cup final back in November, before the final whistle as Keenan was shown a second yellow card to receive her marching orders.
SHELBOURNE: McQuillan; Keenan, Slattery, Walsh, Timoney (Watters 45); Graham, Murray; Killeen, Creagh (Kavanagh 65), Beirne; Kiernan.
WEXFORD YOUTHS: Furlong; Sinnott, Gleeson (Cassin 36), Dwyer, Conlon; Douglas (Walsh 90), Fahy, Frawley; Hansberry; O’Riordan (Webb 90).
Referee: Alan Care.
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