Cork 3-3, Dublin 1-5.
Dublin got their All Ireland U16 campaign underway with a trip to Cork last Saturday to take on the Rebelettes in the opening game of the U16 “A” Championship. Backboned by last year’s Leinster championship winning team, Dublin went into the match full of confidence following a hard training programme over the past 10 weeks. The bright spring sunshine of the morning was replaced by drizzling conditions by match time making conditions difficult for the girls.
Dublin got off to the ideal start, Ailish O Neill found the back of the net and then followed up with a point, this was followed by a further score from team captain Aishling Maher to put the girls in Blue into an early lead 5 point lead. Roared on by a big home support Cork came into the game but tremendous defending by Eve Marie Elliott and Claire Rigney ensure they found it hard to get past the half way line. Eventually Cork did get on the score sheet with a close range goal but Dublin responded with further points from the hard working Maria McGrath and Ailish O’Neill again.
In defence, goalie Kate Whyte, defenders Rachael Kenny, Elaine O’Leary and Laura Smith were in top form keeping Cork scoreless from play in the opening half. At the interval Dublin held a slender 2 point lead.
Cork came out with all guns blazing in the second half, they hit a goal and a point without reply in the opening 5 minutes to lead for the first time. Second half substitutes Jane Tully and lively corner forward Ciara McGuigan made vital contributions and caused the Cork defence many problems. Dublin pulled a point back and could have been closer but for some wayward shooting and missed opportunities from frees. Cork response was to get the vital score of the match, a long range free from the Cork centre-forward was deflected to the Dublin net.
Another Dublin point from Louise Walsh left 3 between them entering the last minute of normal time but despite laying siege on the Cork goal looking for the equaliser, luck was not on their side and Cork got the insurance score in injury time.
Dublin now face Clare in their second match on Sat 2nd April in Dublin. A win would ensure a place in the All-Ireland semi final. A girls would like to have a big home support for this crucial match.
Dublin Squad : Kate Whyte, Laura Smith, Rachel Kenny, Elaine O’Leary, Cliona McCullagh, Eve Marie Elliott, Claire Rigney, Sarah Murray, Maria McGrath, Doireann Mulvanny, Ciara Sheehan, Mary Cronin, Orla Beagan, Aishling Maher, Ailish O Neill, Ciara Berkley, Jane Tully Ciara McGuigan, Ailise Dowling, Laura Morrisey, Louise Walsh, Roisin Baker, Claire Murray, Kelsey Larkin,Leah Mullin, Niamh Byrne, Niamh Witter.