Wexford Football Club Women, formerly known as Wexford Youths Women, is an Irish association football club based in Crossabeg, County Wexford. Their senior team plays in the Women's National League. In the course of women's football in Ireland, Wexford have steadily been one of the league's strongest teams.
As Women's National League winners, they represented Ireland in the UEFA Women's Champions League in Poland in 2015, at home in Wexford in 2016, in Belfast in 2018 and in Lithuania in 2019
In 2011âÂÂ12 Wexford Youths, together with Peamount United, Castlebar Celtic, Cork Women's F.C., Raheny United and Shamrock Rovers, became founder members of the Women's National League. Youths finished third in both 2012âÂÂ13 and 2013âÂÂ14. In 2013âÂÂ14 they also won their first trophy, the WNL Cup, after defeating Castlebar Celtic 3âÂÂ0 in the final at Ferrycarrig Park. In 2014âÂÂ15 Youths won their first Women's National League title after finishing two points clear of second placed UCD Waves. The 2015âÂÂ16 season saw Youths win a treble. They started the season by winning the FAI Women's Cup for the first time. In the final at the Aviva Stadium they defeated Shelbourne Ladies 4âÂÂ2 on penalties after a 2âÂÂ2 draw. Shelbourne Ladies would be Youths main challengers throughout the season. The two sides met again in the WNL Shield final, played at Ferrycarrig Park, on 30 March 2016. Wexford Youths again emerged as winners with Edel Kennedy scoring in the 1âÂÂ0 win. In the league itself, the two teams finished level on points before Wexford Youths retained the title after a play-off. Youths travelled to Galway W.F.C. on Sunday, 8 May knowing a victory would secure them the league title. However Youths dropped their first league points away from home and could only manage a 1âÂÂ1 draw. Youths had a second chance to clinch the title when they played Shelbourne Ladies at Tolka Park on Wednesday, 11 May. However Shelbourne Ladies won 3âÂÂ1 and as result finished level on points with Youths. This meant the title would be decided by a play-off for the first time. The play-off took place on Sunday, 22 May at Tallaght Stadium. It proved third time lucky for Wexford Youths as they finally secured the title with a 2âÂÂ1 win. Shortly after guiding Youths to their second title, head coach Will Doyle announced he was resigning.
In June 2016, Gary Hunt was named as the new senior women's team manager, having been a coach under Will Doyle for the previous two years.
After one season in charge, Gary Hunt stepped down as manager of the club, replaced by former assistant manager Laura Heffernan.
In 2017 Heffernan secured Wexford Youths Women their third WNL title in 4 years, stepping down at the end of the season.
She was followed by Tom Elmes at the beginning of the 2018 Season. He guided the team to the treble that year and UEFA Women's Champions League qualification in 2019, The following year the team won the Senior cup in the Aviva stadium under Tom Elmes. Elmes departed in July 2021 to be appointed as Ireland's WU16 head coach and the Women's Senior team assistant coach to Vera Pauw. He was replaced by his assistant Stephen Quinn.
In the season 2021 the team finished 3rd in the league and won the Women's Senior Cup under the leadership Of Stephen Quinn.
Stephen Quinn departed the club mid-season in 2023 after an unsuccessful spell. The club appointed Hugh Strong as its new manager ahead of the 2024 season.
In 2024, Wexford Youths Women completed a rebrand of the club, dropping the 'Youths' from their name and becoming Wexford F.C. Women.
After winning the 2014âÂÂ15 Women's National League title, Wexford Youths qualified for UEFA Women's Champions League for the first time. They played in Group 7 and finished second after winning two out of three games.
After winning the 2015âÂÂ16 Women's National League title, Wexford Youths qualified for UEFA Women's Champions League for a second time. Wexford Youths have been announced as hosts of one of the group stage tournaments with games due to be played at both Ferrycarrig Park and the Waterford Regional Sports Centre.