LGFA - Dublin U16's suffer defeat at the hands of Laois

Leinster U16 B championship Final

Dublin 2-02 (8) Laois 1-15 (18)

Dublin bowed out of the Leinster championship this afternoon following a comprehensive defeat by Laois in the provincial B Final, which was played at TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar.

The determination, work rate and intensity brought to the game by the Dublin girls was not reflected on the scoreboard however those in attendance to cheer on the Dubs cannot complain about the result as this well drilled Laois side thoroughly deserved their victory.

Laois led at the interval by 0-06 to Dublin’s 1-01. The first of the Dublin goals arrived in the 25th minute and it was worth the wait. Corner forward Aoibhín Costello let rip with a peach of a shot which Laois keeper Aoife Mullins had no chance of saving.

This score gave Costello’s team-mates a huge boost while also helping to reduce the Laois lead to just two points ahead of the half time break. Dublin management rejigged their line out for the start of the second period introducing Kate Commins and Caoimhe O’Donoghue into the contest.

Laois continued to absorb the Dublin pressure and had stretched their lead out to three points before Sarah McGill found the back of the Laois net following a superb passage of play from the Dublin girls. With 43 minutes gone on the clock the two sides were now level. Dublin however could not kick on from McGill’s equaliser.

Their opponents did. The O’Moore County responded with some proficiently seeing out the game strongly by outscoring their opponents by 1-07 to no score in the final quarter.

Laois centre forward Mia Delaney was a constant thorn in the side of the Dublin defence. Delaney was as equally efficient from both play and placed balls. She would finish the game with a personal tally of 0-10. It therefore came as no surprise to those present when Arthur Corrigan (Leinster President) announced Delaney as the Player of the Match.

A huge thank you to all the Dublin players and their management team for their dedication and hard work over the last six months. Everyone is a credit to their clubs, families and their communities. Áth Cliath Abú.

Best of luck to Laois in the All-Ireland series.

Dublin v Laois: Laura Walsh (Castleknock), Elsa O’Donoghue (Na Fianna), Ella Hempton (Fingal Ravens), Maeve Conlon (Na Fianna), Lucy Hanly (Shankill), Maggie Foley (Clontarf) Captain, Sophie Buckley (Ballyboden St Endas), Saoirse Malone (Clann Mhuire), Eva Healy Dillon (St Sylvesters), Julie Chauvire (St Sylvesters), Darcy Hall (Ranelagh Gaels), Annabel Wyse ((Kilmacud Crokes), Aoibhin Costello (Clanna Gael Fontenoy), Sarah McGill (Ballyboughal), Anna Kellegher (Ballinteer St Johns).

Dublin scorers: Sarah McGill 1-01, Aoibhín Costello 1-00, Darcy Hall 0-01 (1f)

Dublin subs: Kate Commins (Clontarf) for Julie Chauvire, Caoimhe O’Donoghue (Ballyboden St Endas) for Lucy Hanly, Ellen Stafford (Ballyboughal) for Darcy Hall, Lizi Doyle (St Vincents) for Annabel Wyse, Lulu Ormsby (Ballyboden St Endas) for Aoibhín Costello.

Laois v Dublin: Aoife Mullins, Lily Brophy, Lucy Whelan, Sarah Burke, Kara Powders, Saffron Adams, Áine Conroy, Kara Phelan, Jessica Horan, Hanna Luttrell, Mia Delaney, Chelsey Dooley, Kate Dowling, Orlaith McEvoy, Laura Malone.

Laois scorers: Mia Delaney 0-10 (6f), Kate Dowling 1-01, Laura Malone 0-03 (1f), Orlaith McEvoy 1-00, Hanna Luttrell 0-01.

Laois subs: Samantha Stalbe for Sarah Burke, Molly O’Reilly for Orlaith McEvoy, Kate Conroy for Saffron Adams, Sarah Cunningham for Hanna Luttrell, Molly Fitzpatrick for Aine Conroy.

Referee: Brian Foley (Wicklow)

Player of the Match: Mia Delaney (Laois)