Dublin hold their nerve

Womens NFL Division 2 Final/ Dublin 1-13 Wexford 1-06: Dublin survived a late scare before confirming their return to the top tier of the women's National Football League as Division Two champions with victory over Wexford at Semple Stadium on Saturday evening.

Dublin appeared to be coasting when Gemma Fay was harshly sin-binned 10 minutes from time, with her side 0-13 to 0-6 ahead. Soon afterward Caroline Murphy goaled for Wexford after her first effort had been smothered by Cliodhna O'Connor and Denise Masterson. O'Connor and Masterson made two further blocks, while Wexford's Michelle Hearne also hit the butt of the post. However, a Mary Nevin goal in the dying seconds, after outstanding play from player of the match Sinéad Ahearne, allowed Dublin supporters to breathe easily at last.

The winners began with three points in the opening five minutes from Amy McGuinness, Nevin and Ahearne. Dublin led at half-time by 0-10 to 0-3 despite shooting 10 wides.

Sharon Kehoe got Wexford off the mark and points from Hearne and a Josie Dwyer free had them just 0-5 to 0-3 in arrears with six minutes left in the first half.

Dublin went into overdrive though, with Karen Hopkins landing two points, and Louise Kelly, Aherne and Nevin also scoring points.

It would have been even worse for Wexford at the interval had Nevin not wasted a glorious goal chance, while goalkeeper Mary Rose Kelly also had to make a point-blank save from Hopkins.

Ahearne maintained her first- half display, adding two points.

DUBLIN: C O'Connor; O Colreavy, D Masterson, M Kavanagh (0-1); S Goldrick, N McEvoy (Parnells), G Fay; S McGrath, S Finnegan; K Hopkins (0-3, one free), M Nevin (1-2), F Corcoran; S Ahearne (0-4), A McGuinness (0-1), L Kelly (0-1). Subs: C Conway (0-1)for McEvoy (42 mins), K Kennedy for Kelly (48 mins), A Clarke for Colreavy (52 mins), N Healy for Hopkins (57 mins), N Hurley for Ahearne (60 mins).

WEXFORD: MR Kelly; M Murray, M Leacy, A Waters; K Morris, M Doyle, L Tector; C Murphy (1-1, one free), D Fox; B Curran, K Kelly, M Hearne (0-2); L Kent, J Dwyer (0-2, frees), S Kehoe (0-1). Subs: F Rochford for Kent (22 mins), T Dunne for Fox (47 mins), M Hughes for Curran (55 mins).

Referee: B Gallagher(Tyrone).