Dubs U16s girls retain Leinster crown

DUBLIN retained their U16 provincial crown following a pulsating hard-fought encounter with Kildare 2-13 to 3-7.

The contest was played in glorious sunny conditions before a sizeable crowd who had made their way to the Blanchardstown campus of TUD.

It was the home side who raced into an early 1-02 lead with Kate Keaney from Ballyboden St Enda’s on song with the opening goal of the game.

Kildare rallied the storm and responded with a well-taken goal of their own taken by Aoibheann Birchall.

Moments later, Kildare were awarded a penalty by referee Ian Culbert.

Jessica McNulty’s initial shot was stopped on the line by Dublin keeper Martha Whelan only for McNulty to pounce to knock the rebound into the back of the Dublin net.

Game on!

Kildare added to more two points to their score tally and now had a three-points advantage.

The girls in blue gathered themselves regained their shape and started to move the ball well through their lines.

A brilliant passage of link play was finished to the back of the Kildare net expertly by full forward Zara Flood from Thomas Davis.

The two sides where now level, with 2-02 each as the game edged closer to the half time break.

A well-taken point from Ellie Reen and a converted free from Flood gave Dublin a slender two-point lead at the interval.

Kildare started the second period in superb fashion with a well taken goal by full forward Lexie Reddington to push the visitors ahead by one.

Kildare then hit a purple patch tagging on three unanswered points to edge ahead 3-05 (14) to Dublin’s 2-07 (13).

Once more the Dublin girls had to dig deep.

And deep they dug hitting a purple patch of their own.

Substitute Molly Bourke would make a big impact on the game, finishing the game with a personal tally of six points, coming from both play and frees.

In the final quarter Dublin took control of the contest, their superior fitness levels and ability to close out the game where key factors in the U16 cup remaining in the capital for another season.

Wing back, Cara Coffey was awarded the player of the match award for her fine performance throughout the game.

Lucan Sarsfields Réka Kiss Kalló started at corner back and captained the side while Keeva O’Donovan (Thomas Davis) and Cara Coffey (Lucan Sarsfields) started in the half-back line.

Dublin now turn their focus on the All-Ireland series which gets underway in late June.