Match Report U16 Final Dublin v Meath
- Jun 27,2016
U16 Leinster Final
FT Dublin 1-15 Meath 2-07
While the nation held it’s breath engrossed in the soccer drama unfolding yesterday in the Parc Olympique, Lyonnais. Dublin U16’s were caught up in a ding dong battle of their own with great rivals and old foes, Meath.
Meath were certainly up for this encounter fully intent on capturing their Counties first Leinster U16 title since 2010. Dublin did extremley well to contain the continuous threat coming from the Meath attack, with half forward Abbie Timmons hitting top form for the Royal County. With 10 minutes gone on the clock Dublin were staying in touch with Meath despite not enjoying their fair share of possession. Two points by Ciara Holland (1 free) and another from Jodi Egan were keeping their team in the game and the Dublin scoreboard ticking over.
As this fascinating contest moved into the second period of the first half, Lauryn Grier delivered a huge hammer blow to the young Dubs when the Simonstown full forward hit Dublin for two goals in quick succession to propel Meath into a 2-04 (10) to 0-03 (3) lead with 17 minutes gone on the clock.
Dublin to their credit held their composure to finish the half strongly with Caoimhe O’Connor nabbing a crucial goal for the Dub’s in the 29th minute. Ciara Murray tagged on two points (1 free) to leave just four between the sides at the interval, HT Dublin 1-05 (8) Meath 2-06 (12).
Reigning champions Dublin began the second half brightly with 3 unanswered points two from team captain Rachel Brennan with the third coming from full forward, Murray.
Meath hit the next point to leave just two between the sides. Remarkably this point would turn out to be Meath’s only score of the entire second half a testament to the work rate of the Dublin defence. Indeed Dublin’s entire half back line of Maria O’Dea, Sarah Fagan and Erin Healy where exceptional in the second half thwarting numerous Meath attacks while at the same time launching the Dublin offence.
Foxrock Cabinteely’s, Jodi Egan popped over a peach of a point to close the margin to a single score with Ciara Holland bringing the game level in the 45th minute much to the delighted of the large Dublin contingent who had made the short journey to Clane.
Dublin manager, Pat Kane introduced fresh legs with Emma McCormack replacing Sarah McMahon up front and Grace Kos coming into the middle of the park for Niamh Hetherton. McCormack’s substitution paid off when she tapped over a point to give the Dub’s a narrow lead.
Meath tried hard to get back into the game but Dublin closed out their Leinster rivals with four unanswered scores with Erin Healy, Holland, Murray (free) and Egan all on target for the blues.
Full credit to the young Dubs they showed remarkable character to turn a four point half time deficit into a five point winning margin. Indeed Dublin where fierce unlucky not to have found the back of the Meath net with the Clane woodwork coming to the rescue of the Royal County on a number of occasions especially in the second half. Meath keeper and team Captain Judy Bobbett was also outstanding for Meath and is a player to keep an eye out for in the future.
Dublin now progress onto the All Ireland semi-final where they will play Ulster champions Armagh. This game will take place in a neutral venue either on the 9th or 13th of July, details to be confirmed in due course by Croke Park.
Dublin: Aine Ryan (Naomh Barrog), Laura Dempsey (Fingallians), Lisa Davies (Foxrock Cabinteely), Hannah Murphy (Ballyboden St Endas), Erin Healy (O'Dwyers), Sarah Fagan (Clontarf), Maria O'Dea (Clanna Gael Fontenoy), Grainne O'Driscoll (Cuala), Niamh Hetherton (Clontarf), Jodi Egan (Foxrock Cabinteely), Rachel Brennan (St Peregrines), Sarah McMahon (Kilmacud Crokes), Caoimhe O'Connor (Clontarf), Ciara Murray (Castleknock), Ciara Holland (Naomh Mearnog)
Scorers: Ciara Holland 0-4 (1f), Ciara Murray 0-4 (2f), Caoimhe O' Connor 1-0, Jodi Egan 0-3, Rachel Brennan 0-2, Emma McCormack, Erin Healy 0-1 each
Subs: Grace Kos for Hetherton, Emma McCormack for McMahon, Eimear Loughlin for Brennan
Meath: Judy Bobbett , Niamh O’Sullivan, Orlagh Lally, Sarah Wall, Kate McCarthy, Katie Newe, Orla McLoughlin, Deirdre Murray, Laoise McDermott, Abbie Timmons (0-04), Aedin Slattery, Lauryn Grier, Rachel Troy, Mollie Byrne , Leah Reilly.
Scorers: Lauryn Grier 2-01, Abbie Timmons 0-04, Rachel Troy 0-01, Mollie Byrne 0-01
Subs: Leah Devine for Slattery, Anna Myles for McLoughlin, Sophia Payne for Reilly, Eva Hunter for McDermott.
Referee: Cathy Forde (Wicklow)
Leinster Player of the Match: Caoimhe O’Connor (Dublin / Clontarf).
Image credit GAApics.com
End.