Kent not surprised by Leitrim challenge as composure kept Wexford on track

Wexford manager Lizzie Kent had full faith in her player’s composure and performance levels in the closing stages of a dramatic TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Quarter Final in Chadwicks Wexford Park as the Model County got the challenge from Leitrim they were fully expecting.

“It was a super game to be fair,” was the Wexford manager’s reaction to the Observer as the Wexford players and supporters celebrated around her, “We went in at halftime, level scores with that wind and we knew we were well up against it in the second half. “Relieved and happy, it was a tight affair. 

“Credit to Leitrim who came down here today and from the first minute, they made it very difficult for us. We did our homework on Leitrim, we knew that it was going to be that way but we’re just delighted to get over the line, recover and get ready for the semi-final.”

Die hard Leitrim fans cheer on Green & Gold in Wexford - GALLERY

Diehard Green & Gold fans made the long journey to the sunny south east on Sunday to cheer on Leitrim against Wexford in the TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Quarter-Finals in Chadwicks Wexford Park. Unfortunately, it was the Model County who came out on top after a tight 3-10 to 2-10 battle but Observer photographer Willie Donnellan was there to capture some great images of fans enjoying the action .... see who you can spot!

Trust in her players was key as Wexford saw out the final ten minutes without conceding a score after Leah Fox gave Leitrim late hope with a dramatic goal. And while Lizzie, pictured inset, admitted it was nerve-wracking at times, her confidence in her players was justified.

“We really trust them in relation to that but don’t get me wrong, we do have a few hairy moments on the sideline but we just trust the girls and it is something we work on in terms of managing the game and time and they do it really well. 

“In between the white lines, it is over to them. We have full trust in them -  a little bit of butterflies now and then but they did it really, really well, it was great to see out the game.”

A strong start to the second half helped repair the wastefulness of the first half with the Wexford boss feeling her players had tried to force the issue too much: “I think maybe a little bit in the first half, we tried to force a few things and we were kicking with the wind, thinking maybe we were within range.

Wexford defy Leitrim and the wind to end Green & Gold championship dreams in tight encounter

WEXFORD 3-10 LEITRIM 2-10

“But when we worked it through the hands, moved the ball, start to run, started to create opportunities. In fairness to Leitrim, we knew how accurate they’d be, we knew we were in for a real battle today so we’re just delighted to get through.

“We came out of the traps reasonably early in the second half but we knew Leitrim wouldn’t stop, we knew it would be right to the last minute and it just proved that way. A dinger of a game, we’re just relieved and delighted to be through,” concluded Lizzie.