Leinster U16B Final, Banagher, 2pm Sun 24th April Dublin B v Kildare A
The Dublin girls had been comfortable in the Group stages of this competition but knew that Kildare A would be a real challenge, and then seeing Kildare B win a thrilling C Final immediately before.
In the first few minutes it looked as if Dublin would sprint away, with two classy points from play from Claire McGowan, one from Sarah Meagher and a beautifully struck 45 from Emma Gray, but the impressive Kildare attack struck back with a point followed quickly by a goal.
From that point on, Kildare looked the more dangerous side, pointing again 3 more times and Dublin were fortunate that Sadhbh Duffy scored a nice point from play and Claire McGowan was able to point from a 30 yard free to only leave one point between the sides at half-time (Dublin B 0-6, Kildare 1-4).
The break suited Dublin better and they came out in the second half with a hunger and determination that knocked Kildare back on their heels. Caragh Downey and Sarah Meagher started to dominate around the middle and Sarah Langan, having come off the bench, showed that her 12 month injury lay-off is behind her and scored a 45 and an even further out free. The next phase of the game was a goal fest, with Kildare slotting 2 and Dublin getting a beauty from Claire McGowan and a pair from Sadhbh Duffy.
Sinead Stack did get a superb point but was so unlucky when she made a spectacular turn outside the forty, broke away from her marker and drove a shot that deserved a score only to be denied by the Kildare keeper. Claire scored again from play followed by another free to give Dublin a 5 point lead going into the final stages but nerves were frayed all round when Kildare netted again, only for the final whistle to go and Dublin were crowned Leinster B Champions.
The win was terrific, the celebrations were well deserved but the entertainment on the bus trip home was the highlight of the day.
Well done girls - All-Ireland competition next.
Team: Georgia Plowman, Ciara Byrne, Aisling Gargan, Saoirse Fitzgerald, Aoife Heffernan, Emma Gray (0-1), Kate Clarke (Joint capt.), Caragh Downey, Sarah Meagher, Holly Finnegan, Ciara Murphy, Niamh Heffernan, Sinead Stack (0-1), Sadhbh Duffy (2-2) & Claire McGowan (1-5)
Subs: Aisling Kelly, Amy Keegan, Asha Heibe, Ciara Murray (for Niamh Heffernan), Elle Cullen Cloake (Joint capt.), Emma Ryan (for Niamh Heffernan), Grace Leach, Jade Sullivan, Jasmin Lowe, Jessica Murphy, Lauren Goonan, Rhiannon Withero, Sarah Langan (0-2 for Emma Gray) & Shona McMahon. A
Dublin U16A team go down to Kilkenny in Leinster Final
Dublin Under 16A team travelled to St Rynaghs in Banagherfor this year’s U16A Leinster Final meeting against Kilkenny. With conditions perfect for Camogie Dublin took to the field eager to reverse the close defeat to Kilkenny in round 1.
Dublin opened the scoring with a fine point from play by Ciara Holland in the first minute, Kilkenny hit back quickly with a point from their dangerous full forward. On the 4thminute Ciara Holland got another fine point from play but Kilkenny hit back with three points on the trot.
Dublin pushed forward and Hollyn Kennedy got another point on the scoreboard in the 15th minute, Kilkenny were now piling on the pressure and roared back with a point from a free followed by a goal and 2 points from play.
Dublin lifted the siege when Ciara Holland landed a free, but Kilkenny responded with two points from frees. Dublin needed a goal and it came when Alix Buckley hit the back of the Kilkenny net after great blocking and tackling by Dublin. On the stroke of half time Kilkenny got another point, leaving the half time score on 1-10 to 1-4 in favour of Kilkenny.
Dublin needed a good start to the second half but it was Kilkenny who piled on the pressure and got a goal and two points. This Dublin team showed their character and responded with goals from Ciara Holland and Sinead Wylde.
This spurred on Kilkenny who then hit 6 unanswered points, as Dublin pushed forward Kilkenny struck a killer blow with another goal.
Dublin to their credit continued to battle to the end and finished with 2 more points, from Sophie Malone and Ciara Holland, leaving the final score Kilkenny 3:18 Dublin 3:6.
This was a highly entertaining match with wonderful displays of Camogie skills by a very talented Kilkenny team. Dublin continued to battle right to the end and displayed a never say die attitude and hopefully can come back stronger from this experience for the All Ireland Campaign.
Dublin Team : Megan Thomas, Jody Couch, Rebecca Lewis, Jennifer O'Sullivan, Rachel Regan, Chloe Mullen, Jessica McClelland (Capt.), Aoife Mahon, Rachel Brennan, Karen Murphy, Derbhla Nolan, Sinead Wylde (1-0), Ciara Holland(1-4), Hollyn Kennedy (0-1), Alix Buckley (1-0)
Subs : Ally Ramsden, Amy Ward (for Rachel Regan), Anne McSweeney (for Rebecca Lewis), Celine Antancio, GiyaBatacan, Orla Gray (for Derbhla Nolan), Rebecca McMullen, Saoirse Mai Andrews, Sophie Malone (0-1) (for HollynKennedy), Laura Quinn