Match Report Leinster U14 A Final
- Apr 30,2023
Leinster LGFA Under 14 Division 1 Final
Kildare 6-12 Dublin 0-7
By Cóilín Duffy
Full-time score-lines don't always paint a full picture, and in many ways this proved to be the case on Saturday in Kinnegad as Dublin failed to 'rain' on Kildare's parade, and ultimately the Lilywhites powered to a Leinster U14 Division 1 title in mixed weather conditions.
Unbeaten on the way to the decider, the side managed by St. Finian's Swords clubman Paul Dever had accounted for Kildare among others to the showpiece provincial final; but this time around it wasn't to be despite a spirited performance.
With just under 40 minutes gone on the clock just seven points separated the sides after back-to-back points from free-taker Lauren Dever. However, Dublin only managed to add one more point to their tally - which came from the aforementioned player - as a glut of scores including 2-5 unanswered from play powered Kildare to a 23-point win.
Kildare made all the early running and led by 1-2 to 0-0 after three and a half minutes with Rachel Dooley grabbing their first goal after 100 seconds of play.
Dublin opened their account through captain Laura Casey, as the Round Towers Clondalkin player led by example.
This was cancelled out by Kildare's Aisling Nolan, before a dipped effort from Aibigéal Corcoran finished in the Dublin net and Kildare were 2-4 to 0-1 clear.
Dublin were under pressure in defence, but Ava Adderly pulled off a number fine saves - indeed the performance of the St. Peregrine's player and her Kildare counterpart Chloe Wright was singled out by Leinster LGFA Chairperson Trina Murray as worthy of special mention in her speech after the game.
It wasn't long before Wright denied Áine Mulligan of a goal chance, in a spell where Dublin had plenty of chances, but just couldn't make them count on the score-board.
Kildare moved 2-6 to 0-1 ahead after 25 minutes, but it was Dublin who rounded off the half scoring with the first of four points over the hour from Dever.
Skerries Harps player Keren Ndjatang put in some tremendous blocks after being sprung from the bench, but at the opposite end Dublin brought their wides tally to six by the break.
Dublin pressed on the restart, and scored four of the first five points of the half with St. Finian's Newcastle player Leyla Abkary opening the second half account, with Katelynn Wilson Daniels and Dever also on target.
There was excellent play also from Eibhlin McNamara, Aoibhín Malone, Teagan Lynch, Keelin Comiskey and Áine Mulligan among others during this spell, but the goal they craved didn't come.
This work was made harder by the delluge of rain which poured strong for a seven minute period where Dublin should have had a penalty after McNamara was fouled, but play continued.
As the rain eased up it wasn't long before Kildare regained control and found the net, and from a potential four-point deficit, Dublin now trailed by 10 points and the gap became greater.
Indeed Kildare were awarded a penalty of their own which Player of the Match Sinéad Shine converted and from their until the end everything fell Kildare's way.
This is by far the end of the road for Dublin who now enter the All-Ireland Series next weekend, with the potential for further games in successive weeks.
The All-Ireland decider is pencilled in for June 10th; and while Saturday was a blip in an otherwise unblemished season so far; they certain have the skill, talent and manner to bounce back and ensure a busy few weeks ahead.
Scorers for Kildare: Sinéad Shine (1-0pen) 1-2; Aoife Treacy, Aibigéal Corcoran, Grace Gallagher, Rachel Dooley, Sarah Shelley 1-0 each; Misha Magee, Chloe Donnelly, Ciara Rozsypalova, Aisling Nolan 0-2 each; Saorla Tolan O'Dowd, Lauren Kilbride (1f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Dublin: Lauren Dever (4f) 0-4; Laura Casey (1f), Leyla Abkary, Katelynn Wilson Daniels 0-1 each.
KILDARE: Chloe Wright; Lauren Mooney, Grace Colburn, Faye Durney; Sophie Poole, Lily Harney, Erin Killian; Ciara Dempsey, Aoife Treacy; Sinéad Shine, Saorla Tolan O'Dowd, Rachel Dooley; Ciara Rozsypalova, Aibigéal Corcoran, Aisling Nolan.
Unlimited subs: Gwyneth Canvan, Kate Gleeson, Alexandra Finn, Misha Magee, Lauren Kilbride, Isobel Egan, Grace Gallagher, Isabelle Kelly, Chloe Donnelly, Emily Carr, Jemma Henney, Lila Van Lonkhuyzen, Orla O'Carroll, Orla Schwer, Sarah Shelley.
DUBLIN: Ava Adderley; Sarah Quinlivan, Ellen Fitzgerald, Teagan Lynch; Daisy Sunderland, Siún Ní Cheallacháin, Ciara Cleary; Aoibhín Malone, Laura Casey; Robyn Kendellen, Katelynn Wilson Daniels, Áine Mulligan; Jessica Lombard, Molly Dunne, Leyla Abkary.
Subs Used: Abbie Ryan for Sarah Quinlivan (20); Emma Manning for Clara Cleary (20); Karen Ndjatang for Laura Casey (20); Keelin Comiskey for Robyn Kendellen (20); Lauren Dever for Jessica Lombard (20); Eibhlín McNamara for Molly Dunne (HT); Rebecca Bayley for Teagan Lynch (40); Aoibhín Gallagher for Daisy Sunderland (40); Ella McGrath for Katelynn Wilson Daniels (40); Chloe Doyle for Áine Mulligan (40); Layla Mai McNeill for Leyla Abkary (40); Addison Cahill for Aoibhín Malone (50); Tori Dempsey for Keelin Comiskey (50); Sophie Healy for Lauren Dever (50); Molly Dunne for Keren Ndjatang (60). Unused Clara Woods (inj).
REFEREE: Paul Burke (Louth)