Dundalk suffer late heartbreak in WDL Cup final

Heartbreak came three minutes from time at Oriel Park on Wednesday night as Dundalk FC were beaten 1-0 by Wexford in the Women’s Development League Cup final.

Mia Whelan settled the contest in the 87th minute, following a game in which Wexford created the greater share of the chances but were repeatedly denied by an impressive display from Dundalk goalkeeper Eden Laughton-Tyler.

Wexford made the stronger start and had the first opportunity inside six minutes when Whelan’s tame effort was comfortably gathered by Laughton-Tyler.

Dundalk’s best opening of the first half arrived on 15 minutes. A ball over the top from Shauna Smyth allowed Sophie Hanlon to get between two Wexford defenders and show excellent composure before laying the ball off to Siun Kirby, whose effort was saved by Wexford goalkeeper Claudia Keenan.

Wexford controlled much of the remainder of the half. Molly Kirwan saw a free-kick gathered by Laughton-Tyler, while Daisy Fleming’s effort from outside the box was also comfortably dealt with. Whelan then tested the Dundalk goalkeeper again with an angled effort.

The visitors had two penalty appeals waved away by referee Robert Murphy. The first came when Kirwan went down under a challenge from Annie Stanfield, while Maia Stokes subsequently appeared to be clipped from behind by Rebekah Clavin.

Wexford continued to threaten, although Jenny Ryan’s effort from distance failed to trouble Laughton-Tyler. The Dundalk goalkeeper was then required to make herself big to deny Stokes after a neat exchange between the Wexford forward and Whelan.

Aisling Roche fired narrowly over five minutes before the interval and then headed over from a Freya De Mange corner. Whelan had the final chance of the half, getting away from Abigail Martin before shooting wide in stoppage time.

Dundalk emerged with greater purpose after the restart. Makenzie Crowley’s effort from distance drifted narrowly over before Kirby forced Keenan into a save, the Wexford goalkeeper pushing the ball around the post.

From the resulting corner, taken by Sarah Byrne, Dundalk captain Aoife Fanning headed narrowly wide.

Wexford soon regained control, however, and came close to breaking the deadlock when Roche met a De Mange corner with a powerful header that struck the crossbar shortly before the hour.

Laughton-Tyler continued to keep Dundalk in the contest, saving at her near post from Roisin Joyce before producing another good stop to deny De Mange from distance.

The Dundalk goalkeeper also thwarted Kirwan from close range and kept out a scuffed effort from substitute Leah McGrath. De Mange then sent another attempt over the bar from outside the box.

With Wexford pressing for a winner, Whelan saw a curling effort tipped onto the crossbar by Laughton-Tyler.

The decisive moment finally arrived in the 87th minute. Fleming’s shot was beaten away by Laughton-Tyler, but the ball fell straight to Whelan, who made no mistake with the finish.

There was no way back for Dundalk, leaving Wexford to celebrate a late victory and Dundalk to reflect on a final decided in the closing stages.

Dundalk FC: Eden Laughton-Tyler; Annie Stanfield, Aoife Fanning (Michelle Koudjou 75), Abigail Martin, Rebekah Clavin; Shauna Smyth, Makenzie Crowley (Liadh Tobin 64); Siun Kirby (Megan O’Connor 64), Macy Treanor, Sarah Byrne; Sophie Hanlon

Subs not used: Grace McCabe (gk), Jessica Cox, Jennifer Freeman, Ciara Brady, Niamh Morrish, Sadhbh Smyth

Wexford: Claudia Keenan; Grace Fitzpatrick (Leah McGrath HT), Roisin Joyce, Sophie Moran, Aisling Roche; Molly Kirwan, Jenny Ryan, Daisy Fleming (Eimear Roche 90+4), Freya De Mange; Maia Stokes (Ebony Harris-Burke 72); Mia Whelan

Subs not used: Cliona Kearney, Hannah Griffey, Emma Fitzpatrick, Eimear Byrne, Niamh Tyrrell, Mya Steele

Referee: Robert Murphy

Attendance: 683