Leinster U16 Championship
Kildare 2-7
Wicklow 4-10

Baltinglass Gaa Grounds provided a very scenic setting for this u16 encounter between the neighbouring counties of Kildare and Wicklow. The Kildare team were in confident mood following their deserving victory against Westmeath last weekend due to a determined team effort. This was evident as Aisling O'Connor opened the scoring within the opening few minutes of the match as she slotted the ball over the bar. The Wicklow players were also keen to make their mark on the game and promptly responded with a goal from the half forward Aisling Mc Donald. The lead exchanged hands several times throughout the first half.

Both defences had to be very vigilant as the ball was moved rapidly from one end to the other with Molly Price notching up a point and Cliodhna O'Connor finding the net to extend the Kildare lead to two points after twenty minutes. Wicklow were in hot pursuit of the lead and their half forwards Katie Boucher and Katie Miley erased the lead with a point and goal respectively. Kildare were enjoying a one point lead as Louise Scully completed the Kildare tally on the stroke of half time but Wicklow struck with a blistering goal from the boot of Heather Cullen to leave her team two points ahead at the interval.

Wicklow continued to extend their lead as they scored further points from play in spite of the gallant effort of the Kildare defence particularly Dearbhla Mc Ginn who showed great determination as did Annie Mc Guire in the Wicklow half back line.The Kildare forwards also challenged their opposing defenders with some swift passing movements and were eventually rewarded with a point from full forward Niamh Bergin .

The play moved from end to end but Wicklow managed to secure another goal courtesy of Maria Kealy and this gave them a commanding lead although credit to the Kildare team they battled to the end and Samantha Cullen completed their scoring with a point having been awarded a free. Wicklow were deserving winners on the day but great credit to both teams as they displayed some fine skills and genuine effort in their county jersey.

Kildare: Emily Mc Groary, Ciara Fennan, Rose Mernagh, Niamh Dunne, Louise Scully, Amy Horan, Sabrina Kennedy, Katie Merrick, Tara Breen, Anna Harney, Nicole Dooley, Molly Price, Cliodhna O' Connor, Niamh Bergin, Aisling O' Connor, Dearbhla Mc Ginn, Kayleigh Humphries, Kate Hannon, Melissa O'Brien, Aine Fitzmaurice, Rachida Cheamou, Ellie O'Toole, Lisa Murphy, Beth Doyle , Aoife Wosser , Georgina Kelly and Ceire Boland.
Wicklow: Chloe Dwyer, Rioghna Mc Gettigan, Shauna Byrne, Laoise Marron, Lisa Lalor, Aoife Grace, Annie Mc Guire, Niamh O'Brien, Annie Conroy, Katie Miley, Katie Boucher, Aisling Mc Donald, Amy Burke, Heather Cullen, Marie Kealy, Mia Kavanagh, Eabha Barnes, Niamh Clarke, Clodagh Fox and Eleanor Dunne. Tweet

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