Keeling hails Dublin team’s commitment in All-Ireland U16 Championship win

DUBLIN manager, Fintan Keeling has hailed the hard work and dedication of his players in a season that saw them capture the Leinster and All-Ireland Under 16 Ladies Football Championship titles.

The young Jackies emerged from the provincial competition after beating Meath in the decider 3-9 to 2-6, to challenge first-time Connacht champions, Roscommon in the penultimate round of the All-Ireland.

A win over the Rossies set them up for a chance to lift the holy grail, and they did just that in nailbiting fashion last week following a dogged battle with Cork that saw them seize a first Under 16 ‘A’ title since 2010.

“At this age, work rate and decision making are the most important things,” manager Keeling told The Echo.

“At Under 16, we want the players to take responsibility on the pitch, they don’t need to be coached to death.

“Everybody makes mistakes, but they can figure it out because they’ve been through it on the training ground.

Siobhán Birnie of Dublin receives the player of the match award from Robbie Smyth, Munster LGFA President and LGFA vice-President

He added: “The commitment of the players and parents has been phenomenal. We’re delighted for the parents and players who did so much to support our plans.

“The girls have done everything we asked of them whether it be in training, their own work, ensuring they rest and recover.

“The team could not have succeeded in the campaign without the commitment of all 36 players on the panel.

“Our most important goal was the development of the players, on and off the field, to prepare them for what is required to represent their county at minor level and to represent their clubs on their minor and senior teams.”

With this panel, one-third of the players were not with the squad when they first came together at Under 14, and a cohort were given the opportunity to compete with the Blues for the first time this year.

Among the local players revelling in the set-up are the likes of Round Towers’ Aoife Robertson, who captains the side, and Rebecca Nolan.

There is also a strong Ballyboden St Enda’s contingent in the 36-player panel with Joy Ralph, Karrie Rudden and Emma Moran representing the Firhouse Road club.

Meanwhile, Katie Moran Tighe (Ballinteer St John’s), Siobhan Birnie (Lucan Sarsfields), Alex Falvey and Anna Marie Durkan (both St Jude’s) also featured throughout.

Birnie was a standout player when they come up against the Rebels in Cahir, Tipperary, last Wednesday, inspiring the team on to overturn a deficit and help take the match to extra-time.

The Lucan star kicked a brace of points as the Dubs restored parity after which they ran out victors thanks in no small part to a Líadan Murphy goal.