Don't write us off - Wexford boss Stephen Quinn defiant in WNL title race

Wexford Youths manager Stephen Quinn has issued a stirring defence of his side's chances of lifting the Women's National League title despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Athlone Town on Saturday.

Just three points separates four teams in the top flight after Town came from behind thanks to goals from Kellie Brennan and Gillian Keenan at Athlone Town Stadium.

It was a second win for Athlone Town in a week after a 3-0 success in the FAI Cup semi-finals last time out.

Youths had been favourites to lift the crown prior to this weekend’s fixtures, with Peamount United and Shelbourne firmly in the mix following narrow victories over Bohemians and Cork City respectively.

Wexford could have made life comfortable for themselves with a win in the midlands, but still control their own destiny.

However, two of their final three games are against their title rivals.

Quinn told RTÉ Sport: "Nothing worthwhile comes easy. It was never going to be easy today or next week and that we'd have a cushion going into the final games. It's not what we do at Wexford Youths, it seems to be the hard way.

"Three months ago when we got beaten by Sligo Rovers and we had Shels the following week where it could have been 11 points (behind). We stuck to our task then. This is a tough part of the season for us, teams have them periods, and it's how we come out of it.

"We're going to come out fighting. We have Sligo Rovers in two weeks' time and then Peas and Shels so it's not going to be easy. We know what we're capable of if we string it together and back each other, we won't be too far away come the end of the season.

"We could have been three or four points down coming into this game. We still have a chance. Athlone aren't in a Cup final or there or thereabouts