Dublin U14's champions of Leinster
- Jun 01,2014
Leinster U14 Final
Dublin 3-14 Meath 4-07
Dublin U14’s made it a clean sweep of Leinster titles for the Capital following their four point victory on Saturday over a talented Meath side, earlier this month Dublin had captured both the Minor and U16 Leinster Crowns.
Fearghall Brennan’s chargers had a near perfect start leading 1-04 to no score within the opening ten minutes, petite corner forward Caoimhne O’Connor grabbed Dublin’s opening goal however Meath soon got into their stride with goals from Mollie Byrne along with a converted penalty from Lauryn Grier.
Dublin captain Sarah Fagan was leading by example from centre forward the young Clontarf star was linking up well with her inside forward line her powerful runs causing the Meath defence countless problems.
Dublin’s full forward line of Christina Hamill, Emer Loughlin and the fore mentioned O’Connor where potent in front of the posts with Loughlin bagging Dublin’s second goal while Annie Timmons got the Royal County’s third goal, at the interval Dublin led by a solidarity point, Dublin 2-07 Meath 3-03.
Dublin introduced Siofra O’Brien at half time for midfielder Maria O’Dea the tall and agile Foxrock Cabinteely player started to make an impact giving her side an edge in terms of possession.
The second half was as pulsating as the first Dublin worked hard in defence to curtail the Meath attack, Erin Healy giving an outstanding display in the number seven jersey her blistering runs out of the back line a joy to watch.
Dublin edged ahead when O’Connor bagged her second and Dublin’s third goal while corner forward Christina Hamill along with substitute Ciara Murray plus O’Connor kept the score board ticking over with a number of well taking points.
To Meath’s credit they never threw in the towel Leah Reilly and Mollie Byrne leading by example for the Royal County in the dying minutes Abbie Timmons popped up to score Meath’s fourth goal reducing the Dubs lead to just three points.
In the frantic closing minutes, Dublin’s Rachel Brennan won the kick out and worked the ball out of the danger zone linking up with substitute Niamh Hetherton who in turn won a relieving free for the blues.
Castleknock Ciara Murray won possession from the free to nail the assurance point which brought Dublin four clear of Meath.
Dublin survived to lift their first Leinster U14 title since 2011 as well as booking their place in the All Ireland semi-final versus Connacht champions, Mayo.
A special mention must go to the Dublin full forward line of Hamill, Loughlin and O’Connor who between them bagged 3-10 of Dublin’s tally of 3-14 with 3-07 coming from play.
Dublin:
Kate O'Hogan (Kilmacud Crokes), Sinead Donoughe (Kilmacud Crokes), Aislinn Somers (St Monica’s), Aoife Dwyer (Ballyboden St Endas), Kelly Jean Courtney (Parnell’s), Eve Reidy (Foxrock Cabinteely), Erin Healy (O'Dwyers), Rachel Brennan (St Peregrines), Maria O'Dea (Clanna Gael Fontenoy), Ciara Holland (Naomh Mearnog), Sarah Fagan (Clontarf), Sarah McMahon (Kilmacud Crokes), Christina Hamill (Foxrock Cabinteely), Emer Loughlin (Cuala), Caoimhe O'Connor(Clontarf)
Subs: Laura Dempsey for Somers, Siofra O’Brien for O’Dea, Hetherton for McMahon, Ciara Murray for Loughlin, Ellie McAleer for O’Connor
Scorers: Caoimhe O’Connor 2-03, Christina Hamill 0-06 (3F), Emer Loughlin 1-01, Ciara Murray 0-02, Ciara Holland 0-01(1F), Sarah McMahon 0-01
Player of the Match: Rachel Brennan (St Peregrines)
Panel: Laura Smithers (Ballyboden St Endas), Sarah Keohane (Scoil Ui Chonaill), Megan Cluskey (Erin’s Isle), Jessica Connelly (Foxrock Cabinteely), Ciara Donnelly (Naomh Olaf), Roisin McGovern (Foxrock Cabinteely), Niamh Shaw (Clanna Gael Fontenoy), Ciara Thorburn (Fingallians), Robyn Whelan (St Monica’s), Ellen Dunleavy (Ballyboden St Endas)
Meath:
Judy Bobbett, Aine Carr, Katie Newe, Emma Connell, Leah Reilly, Aedin Slattery, Laoise McDermott, Deirdre Murray, Kate McCarthy, Abbie Timmons, Hannah Talbot, Sarah Wall, Lauryn Grier, Niamh O’Sullivan, Mollie Byrne.
Scorers: Abbie Timmons 2-00, Lauryn Grier 1-02 (1P, 2F), Mollie Byrne 1-02, Leah Reilly 0-03
Referee: Leah Mullins (Carlow)
