Three in a row for the Sky Blues:
Dublin 4-10 Kildare 1-08
Despite having two players sin binned (one in each half) and conceding two penalties Dublin collected their third Leinster U16 title in a row following a very nervous performance versus a gallant Kildare side.
The game which was played in Athy and before a sizeable crowd had its fair share of dramas. Kildare buoyed on by the home support settled quickly into the game with Rachel Reidy and Niamh Mulhall in fine form for the Lilywhites. Kildare’s confidence was further boosted when they were awarded a penalty for a clumsy challenge on the on rushing Molly Price. Niamh Mulhall took the spot kick which she despatched under the legs of Catherine Murphy. Soon after Dublin received a further blow when captain and centre half back, Lauren Magee was issued with a yellow card reducing her side to 14 players.
Playing against a strong wind Dublin had to battle hard for possession, Erica Byrne was doing well at midfield mopping up a lot of loose ball while up front, Emma Colgan popped over a brace of points to keep Dublin in contention. Just before half time Dublin got a lucky break when Ann Marie Troy, scored her sides opening goal bringing Dublin right back into the game reducing the Kildare lead to just three points, half time score Kildare 1-08 Dublin 1-05
On the restart Dublin now with the assistance of the strong breeze slowly started to manage this enthralling encounter. Dublin tagged on three unanswered points to bring the game level soon after levelling the score, Dublin lost midfielder Holly Greer, to the sin bin for an alleged foot block.
To their credit Dublin did not panic in fact the Dubs used the extra space in midfield to their advantage which resulted in Emma Colgan raising the green flag for her side’s second goal. Dublin were starting to exert control coming more and more into the game, the metropolitans were five points ahead on the score board when Kildare’s Molly Price took her place in the sin bin for a high challenge on Dublin captain, Lauren Magee.
But the drama was not over just yet, with four minutes remaining on the clock Kildare were awarded a second penalty. Catherine Murphy determined not to be beaten for a second time stood tall saving the initial penalty kick, then the Na Fianna keeper recovered quickly to save the rebounded shot.
Dublin boosted by Murphy’s double save went on to finish the game in style when Kilmacud Crokes duo Mia Jennings and Holly Greer both fired home two shots past Kildare keeper, Natasha Murphy.
Pat Kane will be happy with his chargers performance as Dublin worked hard to turn around a three point half time deficit to finish the game eleven points clear of their Leinster rivals. In fact Dublin kept Kildare score less for the entire second half of the match.
Dublin’s win was achieved even though Kane’s Dubs had to play twenty minutes of the game with 14 players. This test of character is bound to stand to the young Dubs as they now prepare for an All Ireland semi-final on August 10th versus the Ulster Champions (TBC).
Dublin: Catherine Murphy, Zenouska Murphy, Ciara Crotty, Niamh Donnelly, Hannah Hegarty, Lauren Magee, Rebecca McDonnell, Holly Greer, Erica Byrne, Mia Jennings, Ann Marie Troy, Hannah O’Neill, Ellen Curran, Megan Morrissey, Emma Colgan.
Scorers: Emma Colgan 1-05 (2F), Mia Jennings 1-01, Ann Marie Troy 1-00, Holly Greer 1-00, Amy Conroy 0-02, Hannah O’Neill 0-01, Megan Morrissey 0-01.
Subs: Amy Conroy for Morrissey, Aoife Kane for O’Neill, Ellie Halloran for Z. Murphy
Kildare: Natasha Murphy, Aine Mulligan, Emma Lyons, Sabrina Kennedy, Aine Dunne, Lydia Furey, Louise Scully, Shauna Kendrick, Rachel Reidy, Niamh Mulhall, Molly Price, Niamh Flynn, Orlaith Kirwan, Emily Aulsberry, Caoimhe O’Fearghail.
Scorers: Niamh Mulhall 1-02 (1 Penalty), Rachel Reidy 0-02, Shauna Kendrick 0-01, Molly Price 0-01, Orlaith Kirwan 0-01 (1f), Caoimhe O’Fearghail 0-01 (1f)
Subs: Laura Scales for Aulsberry, Sinead Harney for O’Fearghail, Aisling O’Connor for Kennedy
Player of the Match: Mia Jennings (Dublin)
Referee: Stephen McNulty (Wicklow)
