Local girls play their part in Dublin’s U16s Leinster success

DUBLIN bounced back from a seven-point interval deficit to retain the Leinster Under 16 A Ladies Leinster Football title before a large crowd in Coralstown Kinnegad GAA Club on Saturday beating Kildare 3-15 to 4-9, reports Cóilín Duffy.

Almost perfect weather conditions prevailed for this keenly contest decider, where despite conceding three first-half goals, Dublin went on to score a second half hat-trick of their own to deliver provincial silverware, and with it a place in the All-Ireland Series in July.

Dublin had the bulk of the early opportunities but only had a point to their name after six minutes, after Cuala’s Rebecca McEvoy opened the scoring.

Kildare hit back with 1-2 unanswered, including a Ruth Dillon goal, but Dublin responded well as a quartet of points from play levelled the tie after 17 minutes.

McEvoy and Round Towers, Lusk player Lile Tully were on target during this spell; while Ciara Brogan – cousin of former Dublin stars Alan and Bernard; registered two fine points, and indeed was unlucky not to have also scored a goal.

Both sides hit dominant spells during this game, and once more Kildare responded with 2-4 unanswered in a nine-minute spell.

Dublin keeper Maia Ezan from Round Tower saves a shot

Four unanswered points were added, before goals from Anna Coburn and Tara Rafferty; but Dublin also worked hard defensively and Maia Ezan from Round Towers, Clondalkin pulled off a fine double save from Ruth Dillon after 28 minutes.

Dublin found their scoring groove again. The fingertips of Ali Henry getting to a McEvoy dipping effort, before a brace of pointed frees from Brogan ensured a 3-6 to 0-8 score-line.

The ‘Girls in Blue’ made a solid start to the second half, with Gemma Connolly involving in defence and attack.

Firstly the Fingallians player forced the ball out for a Kildare 45′, and then a minute later she provided the final pass for St. Judes Orla Keighran to finish to the net.

A classy goal from Templeogue Synge Street’s Hannah Galvin soon followed, and with Connolly adding a point the sides were level 2-9 to 3-6.

Kildare responded with 1-1 from Rafferty, but Dublin edged back as points from Brogan, Galvin and Ballyboden’s Charlie Murphy levelled the tie with nine minutes remaining.

A Kate Kealy free edged Kildare back ahead, but Dublin took the lead for the first time after Brogan bagged a 53rd minute goal.

Points from Brogan and Connolly opened up a four-point lead in the 56th minute, but Kildare threw everything at Dublin.

A second point from Kealy cut the gap in injury-time, but Kildare kept misfiring, and coupled with good work from Hannah Murphy, Dublin held out for victory.

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