Tesco All Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship, Laois v Dublin at Clonad GAA, Laois, Saturday March 7th 2020 – Referee Fintan McNamara Clare
Photo Credit:iLivephotos.com
After the recent weather it could be said it was a nice day, while it was dry, there was a veracious cold wind which had a big impact on the game where Dublin would go on to have 14 wides.
Dublin got the first score of the day when Niamh Comerford popped over a free in the 4th minute, a minute later Laois hit the back of the net with a low flying free.
Niamh Comerford scored another point from a free in the 9th minute and Emily Byrne followed on a minute later with a lovely point from play under pressure. This was to be Dublin’s last score of the first half which was not a true reflection on the game.
Both teams battled the winds and Dublin had their work cut out for them against a very physical Laois team. We had to wait another 20 minutes for a score in the game but boring it was not, there were great displays of skill and bravery from both sides. Laois got a point just before the half time whistle to make the score 1.02 to Dublin’s 0.03 at the break.
The Dubs came out in the 2nd half to play with the wind more favorable for them and they took advantage of it.
In the 7th minute Laois scored their 2nd goal of the match but that was to be their last score of the game, in the same minute Emily Byrne hit the back of the Laois net much to the delight of the Dublin supporters, the score was now Laois 2.02 Dublin 1.03.
Both teams were at times hesitating as there was a Leinster Hurling match being played on the pitch parallel to the Camogie match and at times it was hard to tell which match the whistle was blowing for.
With the wind getting stronger in Dublin’s favour and Laois keeping the pressure at 100% the last 15 minutes went our way the Dublin backs were hunting in packs ,
Dublin went on to score 5 points from play. Róisín Ní Chathasaigh (0.03) , Aisling Gannon (0.01) and Meadhbh Hicks (0.01) and 2 points from frees by Niamh Comerford.
Dublin Minor S+C coach Antonio Sejan was kept busy warming up the subs.
Manager John O'Connell and his backroom team will be happy with the win.
The girls were supported by members of the Dublin County Board executive Jenny Byrne (Chair) Jim Shanahan (Secretary) Sinead Farrelly ( Treasurer) Martina McGilloway (PRO)
Clonad Gaa were the perfect hosts and in a typical GAA manner invited the Dublin squad and Mentors in for Tea and freshly made sandwiches which was greatly appreciated an such a windy day. Thank you to whoever took the time to make them. I’m sure somebody was out shopping for fresh bread and busy in their kitchen before the match. Great to see tradition being carried on.
Full Time score – Laois 2.02 v Dublin 1.10
1. Sophie Brennan (Naomh Mearnóg)
2. Christine Shanahan (Naomh Olaf)
3. Kerri Milne (Naomh Fionnbarra)
4. Issy Davis (Kilmacud Crokes)
5. Éirin Kennedy (Good Counsel)
6. Elyse Jamieson Murphy (Na Fianna)
7. Ciara Clohessy (Naomh Jude)
8. Ellen Dunphy (Lucan Sarsfields)
9. Meadhbh Hicks (Cummann Báire Caoimhín)
10. Anna Sullivan (Naomh Uinsionn)
11. Caitlin Coffey (Castleknock)
12. Niamh Comerford (Kilmacud Crokes)
13. Ellie Kane (Naomh Mearnóg)
14. Emily Byrne (Na Fianna)
15. Mollie Turner (Castleknock)
Dublin Substitutes:
16. Ciara Jones (Kilmacud Crokes)
17. Aisling Gannon (Naomh Jude)
18. Ali Dunne (Lucan Sarsfields)
19. Amy Quinn (Naomh Bríd)
20. Anna Farrell (Na Fianna)
21. Cara Feeney (Castleknock)
22. Claire Gannon (Naomh Jude)
23. Hannah Reynolds (Kilmacud Crokes)
24. Katie McDonald (BallyBoden St. Endas)
25. Rachel Dolan (Ballinteer St. Johns)
26. Rachel Seery (Faughs Celtic)
27. Róisín Ní Chathasaigh (Kilmacud Crokes)
28. Aisling O’Neill (Castleknock)
29. Aoife Deegan (Naomh Peregrine)
30. Laura Sharkey (Lucan Sarsfields)
31. Lucy Quinn (Castleknock)