Match Report Dublin U16 v Kildare
- May 06,2023
***MATCH REPORT***
Under 16 A Leinster Final
Dublin 3-15 Kildare 4-9
Report By Cóilín Duffy
Dublin bounced back from a seven-point interval deficit to retain the Leinster Under 16 A Ladies Football title before a large crowd in Coralstown Kinnegad GAA Club on Saturday.
Almost perfect weather conditions prevailed for this keenly contest decider, where despite conceding three first-half goals, Dublin went on to score a second half hat-trick of their own to deliver provincial silverware, and with it a place in the All-Ireland Series in July.
Dublin had the bulk of the early opportunities but only had a point to their name after six minutes, after Cuala's Rebecca McEvoy opened the scoring.
Kildare hit back with 1-2 unanswered, including a Ruth Dillon goal, but Dublin responded well as a quartet of points from play levelled the tie after 17 minutes.
McEvoy and Round Towers, Lusk player Lile Tully were on target during this spell; while Ciara Brogan - cousin of former Dublin stars Alan and Bernard; registered two fine points, and indeed was unlucky not to have also scored a goal.
Both sides hit dominant spells during this game, and once more Kildare responded with 2-4 unanswered in a nine-minute spell.
Four unanswered points were added, before goals from Anna Coburn and Tara Rafferty; but Dublin also worked hard defensively and Maia Ezan from Round Towers, Clondalkin pulled off a fine double save from Ruth Dillon after 28 minutes.
Dublin found their scoring groove again. The fingertips of Ali Henry getting to a McEvoy dipping effort, before a brace of pointed frees from Brogan ensured a 3-6 to 0-8 score-line.
The 'Girls in Blue' made a solid start to the second half, with Gemma Connolly involving in defence and attack. Firstly the Fingallians player forced the ball out for a Kildare 45', and then a minute later she provided the final pass for St. Judes Orla Keighran to finish to the net.
A classy goal from Templeogue Synge Street's Hannah Galvin soon followed, and with Connolly adding a point the sides were level 2-9 to 3-6.
Kildare responded with 1-1 from Rafferty, but Dublin edged back as points from Brogan, Galvin and Ballyboden's Charlie Murphy levelled the tie with nine minutes remaining.
A Kate Kealy free edged Kildare back ahead, but Dublin took the lead for the first time after Brogan bagged a 53rd minute goal.
Points from Brogan and Connolly opened up a four-point lead in the 56th minute, but Kildare threw everything at Dublin.
A second point from Kealy cut the gap in injury-time, but Kildare kept misfiring, and coupled with good work from Hannah Murphy, Dublin held out for victory.
After the game St. Vincent's player Hannah Murphy received the Cup from Leinster LGFA Chairperson Trina Murray.
Hannah thanked everyone for their hardwork during the year - including coaches, parents and even schoolteachers! Some of the latter showing their 'Serious Support' by also coming along to the games, which was very much appreciated!
Corner forward Ciara Brogan received the Player of the Match award, after a solid performance in which she scored 1-6.
Scorers for Dublin: Ciara Brogan (4f) 1-6; Hannah Galvin 1-1; Orla Keighran 1-0; Rebecca McEvoy, Gemma Connolly, Charlie Murphy 0-2 each; Lile Tully & Ali Henry 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kildare: Tara Rafferty (2f) 2-3; Ruth Dillon 1-1; Anna Coburn 1-0; Aoibheann Birchall & Kate Kealy (1f) 0-2 each; Hannah Merick 0-1.
DUBLIN: Maiz Ezan; Ruby Magnier, Catarina Almeida, Niamh Bush; Zara Kos, Kristen Mooney, Roisin Kirby; Chloe O'Shea, Hannah Murphy; Charlie Murphy, Rebecca McEvoy, Lile Tully; Ciara Brogan, Ali Henry, Orla Keighran. Subs used: Clodagh Franke for Hannah Murphy (14-HT Blood Sub); Elle Caffrey for Kos (30); Gemma Connolly for Henry (HT); Hannah Galvin for McEvoy (HT); Clodagh Franke for Tully (43); Grace Dolly for Keighran (47).
Rest of Panel: Evelyn Arheit, Abaigh Pollock, Susie Greville, Anya Dunne, Grace O'Donnell, Genevieve Kennedy, Abbie O'Connor, Abigail O'Neill, Sarah Doran, Dayna Murray, Rachel Casey, Saoirse McMahon, Cadhla Nig Fhlionn, Ella Geraghty, Tara Walsh.
KILDARE: Lily Mullarkey; Emma Earls, Casey Noone, Aisling Irhue; Hanna Corrigan, Aine McNally, Lucy Cullinan; Hannah Merick, Amy Tyrrell; Ava Kelly, Eimear Behan, Aoibheann Birchall; Ruth Dillon, Anna Coburn, Tara Rafferty. Subs used: Alannah Morey for Amy Tyrrell (42); Kate Kealy for Rafferty (45); Jess McNulty for Corrigan (47); Leah Tyrrell for Kelly (58).
REFEREE: Ciaran Groome (Offaly)
Image credit Karl Gormley
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