The inaugural OZO Dublin U14 blitz with the top prize of the Paul Beecher perpetual cup took place in St Brigid's GAA Club on Saturday.

Photo Gallery

Parents had an early start making sandwiches and cakes to feed players, mentors and supporters of the 18 teams from 9 different counties taking part across the three divisions of the competition. As we arrived to St Bridget’s GAA club the colour from the 32 county flags flying from every vantage point around the car part added to the atmosphere and gala of the occasion.

Report on U14 A Team.

Dublin U14 A’s Win Paul Beecher U14 OZO Cup

The Stormbirds were flying again

At the end of the round robin series having beaten Cork and Kilkenny it was a Tipperary Dublin final for the Paul Beecher Trophy.

Dublin started brightly and after 1 minute Eve Keogh drew a good save from the Tipperary keeper. Another great Dublin combination move opened the score with a ball from Tara O’Flaherty to Doireann Mullany on to Tess Coyne and the white flag was up. The ball went down to the other end and it was Tipperary’s turn to draw a brilliant save from the Dublin keeper Na Fianna’s Blaithin McQuillan. In mid field Mary Cronin linked up brilliantly with Doireann Mullany onto Tess Coyne but the shot was saved for a 45. The 45 went to Aisling O’Leary back to Doireann Mullany and the white flag was waving again. Annemarie Courtney was starring at centre back when she slipped a quick ball on to Mary Cronin and after a great move involving Doireann Mullaney and Leah Mullins the ball was passed to Tess Coyne who pointed.

That sparked a Tipperary revival beginning with a free after nine minutes which was pointed. Straight away Tipperary sent in another long ball which was saved by Blaithin McQuillan but from the follow up Tipp scored a goal. Then one minute before half time some great combination work from Tipperary involving 5 players raised the green flag again. Dublin ended the half 4 points down.

Time now for the Stormbirds to stand tall but it was Tipp who started the stronger in the second half drawing great saves from Blaithin McQuillan. After two minutes Tipperary pointed a 20 meter free giving them a five points lead. Following some Dublin pressure the ball broke out to player of the Tournament Mary Cronin who slotted over. Laura Mulvey and Anna Walsh were threatening the Tipp goal and it seemed Dublin were on a comeback. Tipp responded but with the great workrate and blocking from half backs Tara O’Flaherty and Sarah Nagle Dublin gave a good supply of ball to their forwards. Dublin’s full back line of Chhloe Rochfort, Niamh Byrne and Eilise O’Grady are the best in the country and it seemed like they decided that’s it, nothing passes here for the rest of the game.

Five minutes into the second half Doireann Mullany passed to Laura Morrissey who fired home one of her trademark goals that would change the course of the game. With 3 minutes to go the game was level but the momentum was very much with the Stormbirds now. Annemarie Courtney took a clever free from her own half passed to Tess Coyne who pointed from 24 yards out giving Dublin the lead with time running out. The tension was as hot as the July sunshine. A last Tipperary attack followed with a long ball sent in near the Dublin square but Annemarie Courtney plucked it out of the air and drove out through two players before sending out a relieving clearance. The final whistle sounded and so the Stormbirds keep up their fantastic record and keep the Paul Beecher cup in the Capital. Final score Dublin 1-6 to Tipperary’s 2-2

Player of the tournament went to Dublin’s midfielder Mary Cronin

Thanks to Aine Fanning for managing the girls on the day.

Report on U14 B Team.

Dublin U14 B’s win the Dublin Invitation Shield

After 3 narrow losses in the round robin series against Wexford A’s, Cork (the eventual Cup winners) and Tipperary, Dublin qualified for a Shield Simi-final game with Waterford.

Shield semi-final - Dublin V Waterford A’s

From the start Dublin dominated this game but found the scores hard to come by. However, after Ashley O'Sullivan found the net after 5 minutes the scores began to come. Niamh Power, Aoife Flynn and Luisne MacConghail were in control at the back for Dublin and Aoife Reilly was solid between the posts. Shaunagh Harte and Captain Aoife Clancy had points.   Within minutes Aoife Clancy had the ball in the net again and there was a goal and a point from Amy Conroy who was in devastating form. Lilly Condon proved she is a fine centre back with a solid display throughout.   Heather Deignan Gough was solid at midfield and This team’s player of the tournament Vanessa Boland did anoutstanding job in defence making long clearances against a strong wind. 
Dublin ran out convincing winners on a score of 3-6  to Waterford’s single point

Dublin now faced Tipperary in the final - Dublin v Tipperary 

This promised to be another tremendous game similar the A final earlier, but could the young B Stormbirds come out on top.

From the beginning Sophie Lyons from the host club St Brigids and Orla Moloney were in command at the back and were driving forward and giving nice crosses to their forwards. Roisin Pancorbo shook off her earlier injury and worked tirelessly at midfield. Heather Deignan Gough had a goal and Vanessa Boland, Aoife Clancy and the dashing Amy Conroy had points. Amber O’Connor and Niamh Kiernan were sharp and combined well with full forward Aoife Clancy throughout. Shaunagh Harte had a super tournament but girl of the day went to Vanessa Boland.
Dublin won the Invitation Shield on a score Dublin 1-6 to Tipperary’s 1-1

A big thanks to Joan Twomey who managed the girls for the day and the injured Karen Farrell who gave lots of support from the sideline while she is nursing a broken ankle. Get well soon.

Report on U14 C Team.

Dublin U14 B’s beaten in final of Development Cup

U14 C team

The 14C team progressed to the semi final of the Development Cup with a good win over Kildare and a draw with Meath. In these games scores from Rachel Leonard (Lucan Sarsfields) and Amy Keoghan (Erins Isle) proved vital and there were also good performances from Ciara Gibbons (Oliver Plunketts) and Leah Butler (St Judes). In the semi the opposition was provided by the 13B team who had come through from their section.

The U14C’s won the semi-final with fine displays from Shannon Gilligan (Nh Fionnbarra) and Laura Kilcoyne (St Judes).

In the final they Kelly Hopkins (Erin Go Bragh) was in fine form between the posts all day and was super again in the final. Also prominent in defence were Julia Gormley (Skerries harps), Roisin Mullin (Faughs) and Abbey Rogers (Whitehall Colmcilles). Shannon Fox and Ellen McKenna of Na Fianna and Cliona Murphy combined to give Dublin the balance in the centre of the field. Aoife O’Connor(Nh Mearnog), Ciara Purdy ((Na Fianna) and Orna O’Doherty of the host club St Brigids had a big influence on games when introduced while Ellen Downes (Lucan Sarsfields), Katie O’Dea and Asia Kirwan of Cuala  did themselves proud throughout the day. All the girls played with skill and determination highlighting the depth of talent in Dublin camogie at this age. They lost the final by 2 points.

Scores on the day came from Rachel Leonard, Amy Keoghan, Shannon Gilligan and Leah Butler. Well done to all the girls.

Thanks to Eimear Butler for managing the girls on the day.