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Leinster U16 A Championship Final 2025
FT Score Dublin 2-07 (13) Kildare 5-15 (30)
Dublin relinquished their Leinster U16 championship crown to a superb Kildare side this afternoon. The Lilywhites were convincing winners following a dominant display of football produced before a large crowd at a sun-drenched Johnstown Bridge GAA club.
The home side totally dominated the opening period of the contest. Kildare led at the break by 4-13 to Dublin’s 1-01. Aoife Treacy and Sinéad Shine were in superb form for Kildare both from play and free kicks despite the best efforts of defenders Emma Manning and Maggie Foley.
With Kildare dominating possession Dublin found it extremely difficult to break down their strangle hold on the game. When Dublin did get on the ball their movement up front was excellent however their efforts were not reflected on the scoreboard.
Dublin’s resolve was rewarded in the 20th minute when centre forward Leyla Abkary finished off a lovely series of passes with a fine shot to the back of the Kildare net. Aoibhín Malone tapped over a free two minutes after the goal. Both scores lifted the Dublin supporters at the venue.
On the restart Kildare picked up where they had left off as Aoife Treacy added another point to her tally. Soon after Sinéad Shine was on target again with Kildare’s fifth goal.
Dublin to their credit continued to show great resolve despite the mountain of a challenge before them. The Dubs were rewarded for all their hard work and determination when half time substitute Líadh Gargan tapped over a fine point from play.
Two minutes later the industrious Leyla Abkary hit the back of the Kildare net to claim her second goal of the game. Although the result of the game was gone from Dublin Aoibhín Malone, Laura Casey and the aforementioned Abkary kept the Dublin scoreboard ticking over as both teams played out the contest.
When the final whistle blew it signalled the end of Dublin’s season while newly crowned champions Kildare will turn their focus to preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final.
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