U16 Team Take Leinster Honours

Under 16A Leinster Championship Final

Kilkenny 3-11 Dublin 1-7

Provincial honours to Kilkenny who turned in an excellent second half to outscore Dublin by 2-4 to 0-4. But matters were far closer than the final score line might suggest, it was only in the last 10 minutes that Kilkenny’s forwards turned the screw and put the tie beyond doubt.

Kilkenny opened well with two pointed frees from Danielle Morrissey but gradually Dublin came in to the game. Kerry Finnegan was superb at midfield and Niamh Gleeson and Niamh Rock were anchoring the central spots in defence for Dublin. After some sustained pressure, Aoife Burke clipped over a neat point which was soon followed by a fine goal by Ciara Holland, as Kilkenny’s backs struggled somewhat to get to grips with Dublin forwards. Aoife Burke again split the posts with a pointed free as Dublin went into a 1-2 to 0-2 lead

But the departure through illness of Carla Whelan seemed to knock Dublin back and Kilkenny capitalised on some slack defending when Aisling Morrissey goaled for Kilkenny. Kilkenny’s half back line of Nicole Carter, Aobhe O Gorman and Hannah Scott began to dominate and Danielle Morrissey put Kilkenny in front from a 45 for a lead they would never subsequently lose.

Dublin responded before the break with a pointed free from Ciara Holland to trail by 1-5 to 1-2 at the interval.

An excellent worked goal by Eadaoin Murphy gave Kilkenny a great start to the second half, the centre forward was a constant threat to Dublin and with the Kilkenny defence now outstanding those goals were massively important for the Black and Amber. An excellent point from Danielle Morrissey with herself and Steffi Fitzgerald linking up optimised the team work from the Kilkenny side, Danielle passed the ball to Steffi and her perfectly stroke ground strike left Danielle in for an easy tap over.

Dublin hit back with points by Ciara Holland (free) and their only score from play in the second period from Jessica McClelland but despite a very decent share of the possession they could not break the Kilkenny rear-guard. Caoimhe Dowling and Evelyn Phelan were at this stage dominating at mid field with Eimear Keoghan at wing forward also winning valuable possession on numerous occasions.

As it was the Kilkenny defence did their job especially the likes of Lucy Power and Aobhe O’Gorman and the clinching scores were supplied by Aisling Morrissey and SusiMay Aylward. Issey Carroll and Tara Clifford also came in to rejuvenate the Kilkenny back 6 in the last few minutes, while in the closing stages Helen Hoynes speed on the wing caused Dublin endless problems. The 2 corner backs Grace Byrne and Ciara O Shea also put in a huge hard working display to deny the Dubs scores time after time, while Cliona Murphy in goal dealt comfortably with everything that came her way.

The Leinster U16A cup was presented to Issey Carroll (Captain) and Aobhe O Gorman (Vice Captain) by Rachel Hogan of Leinster Council. This team will now continue to prepare for the All Ireland Championship which will commence after Junior Cert Examinations, Kilkenny can look forward with confidence to a tricky away tie versus Galway.

Teams:-
Kilkenny:- Cliona Murphy, Ciara O’ Shea, Lucy Power, Grace Byrne, Nicole Carter, Aoibhe O’ Gorman, Hannah Scott, Evelyn Phelan, Caoimhe Dowling, Steffi Fitzgerald, Eadaoin Murphy, Eimear Keoghan, Helen Hoynes, Danielle Morrissey, Aisling Morrissey.

Subs:- Issey Carroll for Ciara O’ Shea, Tara Clifford for Grace Byrne, SusiMay Aylward for Steffi Fitzgerald

Dublin:- Nicola Burnett, Molly O’Neill, Niamh Gleeson, Lauren Delaney, Isabella Costello, Niamh Rock, Niamh Owens, Martha McNally, Kerrie Finnegan, Aoife Whelan, Amy Burke (Capt), Karla Whelan, Jessica McClleland, Rachael Brennan, Ciara Holland

Referee: Alan Lagrue (Kildare)