Molloy on target as Kilkenny connections help Wexford lift All-Island title

Ellen Molloy was on target as three Kilkenny players helped Wexford win the 2025 Women's All-Island Cup.

Irish international Molloy lined up alongside fellow Cats Orlaith Conlon and Freya DeMange as Wexford beat Bohemians via a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in Ferrycarrig Park.

A first-half finish from Alannah McEvoy put Bohemians in front but Ireland Women's National Team ace Ellen Molloy hit back to force the final into a penalty shoot-out.

Midfielder Becky Cassin converted the all-important spot-kick after goalkeeper Maria O'Sullivan had saved from substitute Savannah Kane to secure Wexford's first triumph in their first Final appearance in this competition.

Galway United had won the trophy in both 2023 and 2024 but Wexford were able to celebrate in front of their home fans having previously lost twice in the semi-finals.

Alban Hysa's Bohemians started well and looked the more likely to open the scoring as McEvoy chipped a shot over the crossbar, Sarah Power and Hannah Healy both fired efforts wide, while Aoibhe Brennan brought the best out of Wexford goalkeeper O'Sullivan.

On 33 minutes, the Dublin club broke the deadlock when McEvoy won possession, exchanged passes with Healy and then lifted her effort past O'Sullivan to make it 1-0.

Just before the interval, Wexford had local hearts beating a little faster when goalkeeper Rachael Kelly spilled a cross to the feet of Molloy but the midfielder's shot on goal was saved by the recovering Kelly.

Freya De Mange of Wexford in action against Sarah McKevitt of Bohemians during the All-Island Cup final match between Wexford and Bohemians at Ferrycarrig Park in Wexford Picture: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Wexford improved in the second period but had O'Sullivan to thank for being alert to a snap shot from Healy just past the hour mark.

Then Molloy did what she does best by delivering in a key moment. The Kilkenny native kept her composure to slot in a right-footed effort on 66 minutes to level matters.

Neither side could claim the winning goal in normal time, so a penalty shoot-out was required. Molloy set the tone for Wexford by scoring first and she was followed by team-mates Aoife Kelly, Freya DeMange, Charlotte Cormack and Cassin. The sole miss from Bohemians came from Kane whose effort was saved by O'Sullivan.

That was enough for Wexford to claim victory and give captain Kylie Murphy the opportunity to raise the trophy in celebration.

Wexford become the first club to win the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division, Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup, WNL Cup, WNL Shield and, now, Women's All-Island Cup.

Wexford: Maria O'Sullivan; Anna Doane; Della Doherty, Lauren Dwyer, Orlaith Conlon (Charlotte Cromack 57); Freya DeMange, Aoife Kelly, Becky Cassin, Ellen Molloy, Ciara Rossiter; Kylie Murphy (Meabh Russell 57).

Bohemians: Rachael Kelly; Sarah Power (Lillian Rusher 90), Roisin McGovern, Lisa Murphy, Katie Lovely (Emma Gaughran 68); Aoibhe Brennan, Fiona Donnelly; Sarah McKevitt, Hannah Healy (Savannah Kane 85), Alannah McEvoy; Hannah O'Brien (Leiagh Glennon 68, Katie Malone 90).

Referee: Rob Dowling.