Match Report U16 Dublin vs Cork
- Jul 07,2023
All Ireland U16 A Semi Final 2023
Cork 1-13 (16) Dublin 3-05 (14)
Reigning U16 champions Dublin exited the 2023 championship at the penultimate stage following a titanic battle with old rivals, Cork. In what was a repeat of the 2022 final it was Cork who emerged victorious as both sides served up a thrilling and exciting encounter in Cahir.
Munster champions, Cork raced into an early lead despite playing against the wind. By the 20th minute Cork has amassed a five-point lead with the Dubs struggling to get on the scoreboard. Four of the Rebels points had come from frees with Éabha O’Donovan and Laura Walsh on place taking duty.
Following Cork’s whirlwind start, Dublin started to get grips with the game but will rue a number of misspent goal opportunities. Abbie O’Connor gave a superb pass into Lile Tully but her shot came back off the post with Cork able to clear the danger. From the restart, Dublin had another goal chance when they regained possession from the kick out only for Tully to be denied again this time by a block from Cork defender Rachel Breen.
Ciara Brogan got her sides opening score of the game in the 23rd minute. Soon after the Plunkett’s forward was on target again this time from the penalty spot. Dublin were awarded the free after a foul on Hannah Galvin by Megan Barrett. Barrett subsequently spent the next ten minutes in the sin bin.
Brogan’s well taken penalty had brought the Dubs within one score of their rivals, as the score board read Dublin 1-01 Cork 0-5. Ciara Brogan was now leading the charge and soon added another point to level the game, but just before half-time Caoimhe Horgan popped up to put Cork in front at the break.
Dublin may have taken some time to find their mojo in the opening half, but they began the second half like a train on fire, straight from the restart Lile Tully hit the back of the Cork net to register her sides second goal of the game and propel the reigning champions into a two-point lead.
But Cork responded quickly with two key points, the first by O’Donovan and the second from Horgan, to make it 0-9 to 2-2 with 34 minutes gone.
A minute later, Charlie Murphy levelled the game again for Dublin with a well taken point only for Cork to strike with a crucial score. Eabha Nagle bagged an important goal to push the rebels ahead 1-09 (12) to 2-03 (9).
Both teams exchanged a brace of points with Cork’s Kate Carey and O’Donovan on target before the impressive Hannah Galvin and Brogan replied for Dublin.
With 52 minutes gone, Dublin were awarded a second penalty when Tobin was deemed to have fouled Galvin. Cork defender Tobin was also sent to the sin bin. Ciara Brogan for a second time in the game stepped up to hit the penalty levelling the game once again, Dublin 3-5 (14) to Cork 1-11 (14).
As the game played out Dublin struggled to get out of their own half of the field. Cork’s dominance was rewarded when O’Donovan and Walsh tagged on a point each to seal the victory for the Munster champions and set up an All-Ireland meeting with Cavan.
Scorers for Dublin: Ciara Brogan 2-3 (2-0 pen), Lile Tully 1-0, Charlie Murphy, Hannah Galvin (f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: Eabha O’Donovan 0-8 (0-4 f), Eabha Nagle 1-0, Laura Walsh, Caoimhe Horgan 0-2 each, Kate Carey 0-1.
DUBLIN: Maia Ezan; Ruby Magnier, Catarina Almeida, Niamh Bush; Charlie Murphy, Kirsten Mooney, Roisin Kirby; Clodagh Franke Hannah Murphy; Chloe O'Shea, Rebecca McEvoy, Lile Tully; Ciara Brogan, Ali Henry, Hannah Galvin.
Subs: Orla Keighran for Ali Henry (24), Gemma Connolly for Roisin McEvoy (HT), Eile Caffrey for Ruby Magnier (36), Cadhla Nig Fhlionn for Chloe O’Shea (46), Dayna Murray for Charlie Murphy (58).
CORK: Andrea Toye (St Michael’s); Eimear Walsh (Mourneabbey), Allie Tobin (O’Donovan Rossa), Aisling O’Sullivan (Donoughmore); Rachel Breen (Mourneabbey), Maisie McRea (Aghada), Megan Barrett (Erin’s Own); Johanna Foskin (Bishopstown), Kate McEntee (Valley Rovers); Catherine Murphy (Kinsale), Eabha O’Donovan (O’Donovan Rossa), Caoimhe Horgan (Kinsale); Eabha Nagle (Erin’s Own), Laura Walsh (Mourneabbey), Kate Carey (Ilen Rovers).
Subs: Katie Ferns (Dromtarriffe) for M Barrett (34), Ella Burns (Grenagh) for C Murphy (44), Sarah Barry (St Michael’s) for Eabha Nagle (56), Aoibhe Sheehan (Douglas) for C Horgan (58).
Referee: Ciaran Groome, Offaly.