The U14 Stormbirds had another busy weekend, this time taking part in the Waterford Blitz. The top 6 Counties taking part in those blitzes are Tipperary, Kilkenny, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Dublin. Dublin have already won in Cork and in Dublin and were looking for a good performance in Waterford on Saturday although they travelled with a very much reduced panel as many girls are on their family holidays.
Dublin were missing several key players, but with a strong enough panel were still quietly confident of doing well.
Dublin started strong in the first match against Kilkenny with Orla Beagan scoring a goal and a point within the first 5 minutes. Key to Dublin's early dominance was the new midfield pairing of Mary Cronin and Leah Mullins who were on top throughout the first half. Dublin increased their lead with fine goal from Ailish O Neill having received a pass from Laura Mulvey. Kilkenny scored 3 late points in the half to reduce the margin at half time on a scoreline Dublin 2-1 Kilkenny 0-3.
Kilkenny mounted a fight back in the second half which put Dublin on the back foot for the final 15 minutes. The halfback line of Eilise O Grady, Sarah Nagle and Tara O Flaherty fought hard to keep Kilkenny at bay as they scored 2 early points to reduce the margin to 2 pts. In the closing 5 minutes the heroes had to be Chloe Rochfort who made an incredible block on the goal line, and goalkeeper Sophie Lyons who made 2 huge saves to ensure Dublin won their opener on a scoreline Dublin 2-1 Kilkenny 0-5.
Next up were Cork, who rocked Dublin with 2 early goals. Niamh Byrne and Aoife Flynn steadied the ship however to keep Cork at bay for remainder of the half. Half time Dublin 0-0 Cork 2-0. Dublin started the second half well, with Leah Mullins driving forward to score a long range point. Eve Keogh who ran all day, chipped in with a fine point after good solo run, however a third Cork goal against the run of play, silenced the good crowd that traveled from Dublin. Eve Keogh added her second point after receiving a good pass from Anna Walsh. Final score Cork 3-1 Dublin 0-3, Dublin didn’t get their fullforward line in goal mood.
Cork having won their two matches meant Dublin had to play Kilkenny in a playoff to see who played Cork in the final. Dublin again started brightly with good work from Laura Morrissey and Shaunagh Harte. Tess Coyne always looked lively on the half forward line and she opened the scoring with a good point. Laura Mulvey added a goal giving Dublin a comfortable lead. However Kilkenny were awarded a controversial 20 Meter free in front of the Dublin goals and this proved to be the turning point in the game when Kilkenny’s best player and who had been a thorne in the side of Dublin all year slotted the ball to the back of the net which reduced Dublin’s half time lead to a point. Dublin 1-1 Kilkenny 1-0
Kilkenny were not to be denied and when Dublin ran out of options in the second half after a few girls received injuries they always had a tough battle to stay ahead. 2 Kilkenny goals in the second half meant they advanced to the A final leaving Dublin's girls time to enjoy the wonderful spread of food supplied by the hosts De La Salle GAA club in Waterford.
Niamh Byrne came close in the Puc Fada competition and Vanessa Boland was only inches away. The bus hit the road on the long way home. Next up is the Tipperary blitz in Thurles on 28th August. Manager Paul Beecher feels that all the girls will be available for this and with a return to their standard high workrate and support play he expects to end the season with a winning performance.