Dublin retain U16 Leinster Title
- Jul 10,2012
With Monsoon like conditions prevailing throughout the country the Leinster U16 final between Dublin and Laois looked likely to become just another casualty of the unseasonal weather.
The game was originally fixed for Sarsfields GAA Club in Kildare but with this venue declared unplayable late on Friday the game was unusually refixed for a Laois venue. Crettyard Co Laois proved to be an oustanding choice for the game and I doubt if there is a better pitch in Ireland, a pitch surely fit for an excellent game.
Laois did have Dublin on the backfoot in the opening minutes and following a goalmouth scrable were suprisingly awarded the first of three penalties on the day by Referee Stephen McNulty, Dublin goalkeeper Orla Mcdonald however was in inspired form and stopped the shot, gathered well and when the ball was swept down the field it was Dublins Eabha Rutledge who finished the ball to the Laois net. from then on there would only be one winner, The Dublin backline was solid and secure for the rest of the half with Doireann Mullany and Danielle Pugh and Lauren Magee hugely impressive in a back line that never allowed Laois make any inroads on the scoreboard.
Some of Dublins scores were of the highest quality with Kate Murphy proving a handful for the Laois defence, Emma Colgan too was causing problems for the Laois defence every time she gained possesion, Dublins forwards where on top everywhere and by halftime all six forwards had scored leaving the the scoreline at 3 : 13 to 2 points in favour of the Dubs
The second half started well for Dublin with right half forward Niamh Ryan finishing off a fine attack with a well taken point, there was to be no way back for Laois but to their credit they never stopped trying and with the aid of a stiff breeze they picked of some nice points and certainly made the Dublin backline work hard but as the half moved on they found it increasingly difficult to get scores despite having a substantial amount of possession. Some of the blocking and defending of the Dublin Backs and Midfielders was of the highest order and Laois were clearly getting frustrated the longer the game progressed and even when referee McNulty awarded Laois another penalty Dublins Orla McDonald once again got her hand to the shot and parried it over the crossbar and when minutes later he awarded a third penalty the Laois player simply tapped the ball over the bar as it seemed unlikely that Orla Mcdonald would be beaten on this day.
When Dublin did have possession the breaks were swift and clinical with Kate Murphy capping a player of the match performance by slamming Dublins fourth goal of the day to the net.
When referee McNulty finally blew the fulltime whistle there was scenes of great celebrations for Dublin but in the back of all Dublin minds will be the knowledge that in the upcoming All Ireland semi final there will be Munster champions who will present a whole different challenge. Final score Dublin 4 : 21 Laois 0 : 12
Dublin team and Subs : Orla McDonald, Aoife Curran, Kate Murray, Lauren Magee, Danielle Pugh, Doireann Mullany, Stacey Flood, Ruth Shaw, Fiona Tuite, Niamh Ryan (0 : 6, 3 frees), Kate Fitzgibbon (0 : 3) Kate Murphy (1 : 6), Emma Colgan (0 ; 2), Eabha Rutledge (3 : 2), Amy Conroy (0 : 2)....Danielle Aylmer, Zoe Murphy (for S Flood), Niamh Donnelly (for E Rutledge), Rebecca McDonnell (for A Conroy), Muireann Ni Scannail, Megan Morrissey, Niamh O'Neill (for F Tuite), Louise Ryan, Ann Marie Troy, Sinead Collins, Sinead O'Keefe (for A Curran), Francesca Blasio, Fiona Terry, Tara O'Flaherty, Leah Mullins, Rebecca Nolan.
Photos from the game can be viewed by clicking here -
1
Orla McDonald
Kilmacud Crokes
2
Aoife Curran
O'Dwyers
3
Katie Murray
Clontarf
4
Lauren Magee
Kilmacud Crokes
5
Danielle Pugh
St Peregrines
6
Doireann Mullany
Ballyboden St Endas
7
Stacey Flood
Clanna Gael Fontenoy
8
Ruth Shaw
Clanna Gael Fontenoy
9
Fiona Tuite
Na Fianna
10
Niamh Ryan
Foxrock Cabinteely
11
Muireann Ni Scannail
St Margarets
12
Kate Murphy
Ballyboden St Endas
13
Emma Colgan
St Margarets
14
Kate Fitzgibbon
O'Tooles
15
Amy Conroy
Round Towers Clondalkin
16
Danielle Aylmer
Ballyboden St Endas
17
Zoe Murphy
Clontarf
18
Niamh Donnelly
Naomh Olaf
19
Rebecca McDonnell
Westmanstown Gaels
20
Eabha Rutledge
Kilmacud Crokes
21
Megan Morrissey
Castleknock
22
Niamh O'Neill
St Brigids
23
Louise Ryan
St Sylvesters
24
Ann Marie Troy
St Brigids
25
Sinead Collins
Round Towers Clondalkin
26
Sinead O'Keefe
Ballyboughal
27
Francesca Blasio
O'Dwyers
28
Fiona Terry
Clontarf
29
Tara O'Flaherty
Skerrries Harps
30
Leah Mullins
Castleknock
31
Rebecca Nolan
O'Dwyers
Management : Fearghal Brennan Ballyboden St Endas
Pat Kane Clanna Gael Fontenoy
Damian Prout O'Dwyers
Deirdre Colgan St Margarets
Karen Flood Clanna Gael Fontenoy.
Amy Branagan Clanna Gael Fontenoy.
