Dublin 3-11 Offaly 2-6
Páirc Uí Mhurchú hosted this do or die U16 championship clash and spectators weren't disappointed. A cracking game with the margin doing a disservice to the Faithful County who put Dublin under serious pressure in the second half. But despite their fierce resistence, Dublin had a star in 'keeper Faye McCarthy who was simply brilliant throughout with a string of fine saves. Her most important was arguably a super stop from Offaly corner forward Aideen Freeman in the 49rd minute. A goal at that time for the midlanders would have cut the gap to four points. Instead Dublin finished stronger with two excellent points by sub Catherine Costelloe.
The story of the first half certainly belonged to Ciara McDonnell. The full-forward was unstoppable and bagged 2-6 in that period all bar two points from play.
Offaly were first off the mark with a fine goal by Gráinne Dolan in the 2nd minute but within a minute Cara Carolan capitalised on a defensive mixup in the Offaly defence to force the ball over the line. Three minutes later Ciara McDonnell gave Dublin the lead with a neat point and her first goal in the 22nd minute followed great work by Cara Carolan. But probably her best score was a smashing point from close to the sideline in the 18th minute. Caragh Dawson chipped in with a fine point while in defence Amy Gorman, Zenouska Murphy and Ciara Buchanan were superb.
A superb Dublin move began in their own corner back position with a fine clearance by Ciaran Buchanan which was continued by Rebecca Keating. Cara Carolan picked up the story from there to place Ciara McDonnell for Dublin's third goal and a half time lead of 3-7 to 1-3.
Offaly have however are renowned for their fighting spirit and after the break they set about their task in style. Four minutes into the half Clodagh McCormack buried a great goal. Her colleagues Roisin Egan, Aisling Brennan, Sarah Walsh and Mairead Jennings responded and laid siege on the Dublin goal but Faye McCarthy was superb. Roisin Egan and Sarah Walsh fired over points to cut the gap to 3-7 to 2-5 with 22 minutes remaining.
Dublin defenders Jane Edwards, Sara Boyle and Hannah Hegarty also withstood the test as the fought to protect their lead. Midfielders Aoife Molloy and Rebecca Keating also did their part and gradually Dublin rallied with good work by Ciara Casey, Laura O'Mahony and Amy Conroy putting huge pressure on the Offaly backs.
The chances eventually came and Rebecca Keating pointed in the 43rd minute for Dublin's first score of the half. Ciara McDonnell added before Catherine Costelloe's brace sealed a great win for Dublin.
Faye McCarthy, Jane Edwards, Amy Gorman, Sara Boyle, Ciara Buchanan, Hannah Hegarty, Zenouska Murphy, Aoife Molloy, Rebecca Keating (0-1), Caragh Dawson (0-1), Ciara Casey, Laura O'Mahony, Cara Carolan (1-0), Ciara McDonnell (2-7), Amy Conroy
Sub: Catherine Costelloe (0-2)