Sunshine Sunday at Rathleague for U16 Finals

By lecamogie, Sunday, 6th May 2018 | 0 comments

Rathleague felt more like the Riviera as temperatures soared into the mid 20s for the 2018 Leinster U16 Cup and Shield finals.  At the end of 5 games involving in the region of 130 girls the fine attendance got a bargain in terms of entertainment, passion and commitment.

U16A Cup Final

Kilkenny 3-12  Dublin 0-10

An impressive performance by the Cats especially in the second half saw them overcome a Dublin side who for the first 20 minutes or so looked well capable of winning this game.  

The match seemed to tilt towards the Noresiders about 10 minutes from the finish of the first half when wind-assisted Kilkenny led by just 1-6 to 0-7.  


Dublin were playing well and were matching Kilkenny score for score.  A "waterbreak" was permitted and when play resumned Dublin seemed to momentarily lose concentration.  Kilkenny sparked into action and Grace Mulhall broke through for a goal which wad followed by three more points to push them 2-9 to 0-6 clear at the break.

However there was nothing fortuitous about their second half show as throughout the field, in typical Kilkenny fashion they worked their socks off from 1 to 15.  

Hooks, half hooks, blocks, extra defenders, they smothered any chance Dublin had of making a comeback. The killer goal came in the midway point when captain Therese Donnelly (right) netted for the second time.

Niamh Comeford pointed some fine frees, Katie McDonald battled bravely and Ciara Clohessy, Rachel Seery, Lucy O'Shea, Maedbh Hicks never gave up but Kilkenny had outstanding performers in player of the match Ciara O'Keeffe (seen above with Leinster Chair Pat Martin), Missy Rochford, Tara Ronan and Shannon Conroy.

U16B Cup Final

Dublin 1-12  Carlow 1-7

First half performances had a lot to do with winning this game also.  Carlow played with the stiff breeze with spurned at least 7 chances against a Dublin side that sparkled in the sunshine to open a 1-6 to 0-2 interval lead.  Fiona Isdell was the goal scorer and followed up with two points. Others to raise white flags were Christine Shanahan and freetaker Gráinne Skelton.  Both Carlow points came from Catherine Kavanagh.

Dublin Captain Elyse Jamieson Murphy with Pat Martin

But Carlow were a different outfit in the second half and bit by bit they fought their way back with Megan Conran giving a Player of the Match performance at wing-back.  Catherine Kavanagh began to find the range and her goal and four points plus another from Abbie Foley left just three points between the teams going into the last five minutes.

Dublin however kept their composure and eventually broke Carlow's momentum with a point from Hannah Reynolds.

They were back in charge now and finshed with another score from Gráinne Skelton to claim the title.

Carlow Captain Catherine Kavanagh Megan Conran - Player of the Match Carlow

U16C Cup Final

Wicklow 5-13  Louth 1-4

Two counties working hard to establish underage camogie in their counties showed that a lot of work and time is being invested.  Amy Fagan was offering good support from centre forward

While the margin was emphatic at the finish, Louth were well in contention at half time trailing by just 2-5 to 1-3.  Cara McKeever scorer in chief for the Wee County.  

 Wicklow Captain Ava Whelan Player of the Match Niamh Cunningham of Louth

Wicklow just had that extra edge and on the day the likes of Jessica Mai Maxwell (2-3) and Daisie Summer Cullen Dunne (2-2) hit top form.

But there is a future in both counties for the game and the likes of player of the match Niamh Cunningham of Louth would not be out of place in any county.

U16A Shield

Wexford 3-12  Offaly 2-7

Trailing by just 0-6 to 0-1 at the break, Offaly's hopes were high of recovering that lead when aided by the breeze.  They struck back with goals from Rebecca McGarry and Sarah Pearl but Wexford also replied with three pointers from Molly Crowdle and Emma Tompkins.

 Wexford Captain Aoife O'Connor  Player of the Match Ellen Regan Offaly

Those responses were vital as Offaly have a star in the making in Ellen Regan who scored 5 points and gave a Player of the Match display.  Her dad is former Offaly hurler and media commentator Daithi.

Claire Murphy also helped herself to two points to see the Slayneysiders home.

U16B Shield Final

Kilkenny 3-8  Meath 0-8

Goals in the first half from Annie Kirwan, Sophie Phelan and Una Donnelly pointed the way home for Kilkenny who played with the aid of the breeze in the opening half.  That helped them to a half-time lead of 3-6 to 0-3.

Kilkenny Joint Captains Róisin Foley and Chloe Mullally Player of the Match Ellen O'Hara of Meath

But Meath have some super players and excellent athletes as well and the likes of Niamh Mulvihill, Emma Regan (0-2) and Maeve Lally (0-2) put in an excellent shift.  They managed to outpoint Kilkenny by 0-5 to 0-2 in the second period but they badly needed goals and with Kayla Joyce Foley excellent between the posts for the winners, Meath could not break through.  Carrie Doyle did score some excellent frees and was another to shine.

Midfielder Ellen O'Hara of Meath was a deserving Player of the Match but the likes of Chloe Mullally, Eimear Fleming and Ella Dillon played their part for the Cats.



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