THE WEXFORD girls travelled to Kilmacthomas for this second round National League fixture played in excellent, dry conditions on Sunday last.

Having won the toss, the Slaneysiders elected to play with a strong wind in the first-half. However, the home side was quickest out of the traps and had a good point from centre-forward, Michelle Ryan, inside the first two minutes.

Wexford responded by winning the kick-out and breaking downfield in a driving attack, which was halted only by a foul on the lively Catherine Doyle. The subsequent free was duly dispatched over the bar by Tara Moloney.

The sides then scored point for point from Mairéad Wall and Aileen Wall (three) for the Deise and Lizzie Kent, Catherine Doyle and Tara Moloney (free) for the visitors before Fiona Rochford stormed through the defence and unleashed a rocket to the corner of the net for a superb goal.

Play again veered to the other end and Waterford were denied a clear goal opportunity by a last-ditch block from tenacious centre-back, Catríona McCabe. However, they did manage to find the net two minutes later when wingforward, Sinéad Ryan, sent the ball to the bottom corner beyond the reach of goalie, Sinéad Whelan.

Corner-forward, Aileen Wall, was proving to be a handful and crashed a great shot against the bar moments later. Wexford responded magnificently and again attacked in waves and were duly rewarded with a great point from Fiona Rochford. The half ended with points from frees for both sides, with Sinéad Ryan and Tara Moloney both slotting over to leave the sides level at 1-6 each.

Waterford were on the scoreboard within two minutes of the resumption with a pointed free from Sinéad Ryan, who added another three minutes later, again from a free after Linda Casey was penalised for persistent jerseypulling and was sent to the sin bin.

The home side really pressed home their numerical advantage at this stage and midfielder, Elaine Power, took a shot from distance which took an unfortunate deflection into the visitors' net. Another pointed free from Sinéad Ryan shortly after put them six points ahead.

Wexford needed to re-group at this stage and were not found wanting as they drove forward yet again and were very unlucky not to raise a green flag when a rasping shot from substitute, Deirdre McMahon, was unbelievably saved by Aimee Jordan, to rebound from the crossbar.

Fiona Rochford pointed again in the 20th minute for Wexford's first score of the half. This was followed by a fine spell of patient teamwork from Wexford which was rewarded with a super point from substitute Claire Finn.

At the other end, Elaine Power scored her second point but Wexford never gave up and the impressive Deirdre McMahon sent over a wonderful point following some excellent work from the ever-industrious Tara Moloney and Lizzie Kent, to leave four between the sides at the end.

From goalie, Sinéad Whelan (who could not be faulted for either goal), through solid displays in defence, particularly from Shelly Doyle, Catríona McCabe and Stephanie Foley, to the imposing midfield pairing of Aoife Waters and Fiona Rochford and on to the hardworking attack, especially playmakers Catherine Doyle and Tara Moloney, no one was found wanting.

Aisling McNamara and Aoife Fitzpatrick in defence, and Deirdre McMahon in attack, were among the substitutes to impress on their introduction.

The management team can only be delighted with this superb performance and with how well this fine panel of players is progressing.

Their charges will be severely tested again on Sunday next when they travel to take on a very strong Longford side but, if they can reproduce the level of performance of last Sunday, they need fear no one.