The Netwatch GAA Training Centre in Fenagh in County Carlow has excellence as its motto and in the four U16 camogie finals played at the superb venue, those present saw plenty examples of the game played to the highest standards.

There were winners but no real losers as all eight teams on view showed tremendous potential, commitment, evidence of preparation and some individuals who stood out as stars of the future.

It may not have had top billing but the U16A Shield final produced the match of the day - a 12 goals thriller with victors Offaly defending a one goal margin as Alan Lagrue blew his final whistle.

Camogie is a team game and no single individual ever wins a match on their own but every so often one is witness to greatness in the making and in Sarah Harding Offaly has a player of wonderful talent.  The type of player who whenever she touches the ball - be prepared for something special.  A superb athlete, wonderful feet, great hands, blistering pace, sidestep, goal scoring ability, leadership and nerves of steel when big calls are made.  Watch out for the Birr girl in the future.

There were several others to admire - Ciara Brennan at centre back for Offaly, Danielle Morrissey at full forward for Kilkenny, Rebecca Walsh at corner forward for Wexford, Kerrie Finneagan at midfield for Dublin, Ciara Kavanagh - wing forward on the Carlow team; Sophia Payne at wing back for Meath, Sheila McGrath, Westmeath midfielder and Lilley Evans at corner back for Kildare.  There were others too on a day when the sun shone and the play sparkled.

Under 16A Championship Final

Kilkenny 3-9  Dublin 1-7

Provincial honours to Kilkenny who turned in an excellent second half to outscore Dublin by 2-4 to 0-4.  But matters could have been very different had Dublin converted a number of the chances created.

Kilkenny opened well with two pointed frees from Steffi Fitzgerald but gradually Dublin took over. Kerry Finneagan was superb at midfield and Niamh Gleeson and Niamh Rock were anchoring the central spots in defence.  After some sustained pressure, Aoife Burke clipped over a neat point which was soon followed by a fine goal by Ciara Holland.  The same player split the posts with a pointed free as Dublin went into a 1-2 to 0-2 lead

But the departure through illness of Carla Whelan seemed to knock Dublin back and Kilkenny capitalised on some slack defending when Aisling Morrissey goaled.  The classy Danielle Morrissey put her side in front from a 45 for a lead they would never subsequently lose.

Dublin responded before the break with a pointed free from Ciara Holand to trail by 1-5 to 1-2 at the interval.

But again a defensive lapse allowed Eadaoin Murphy to first time to the net. The centre forward was a constand danger to Dublin and with the Kilkenny defence outstanding those goals were massively important for the Black and Amber.

Dublin hit back with points by Ciara Holland (free) and their only score from play in the second period from Jessica McClelland but despite a very decent share of the possession they could not break the Kilkenny rearguard.

Rachel Brennan fought bravely for Dublin but more often than not she was winning possession 40-50m from the danger.    Given a supply closer to goal, she might have done more damage.

As it was the Kilkenny defence did their job especially the likes of Lucy Power and Aoibhe O'Gorman and the clinching scores were supplied by Aisling Morrissey and Susi Aylward.

Under 16A Shield Final

Offaly 6-6  Wexford 6-3

12 goals and 9 points - no defensive crowding in this game as both sides went hammer and tongs at it from the throw-in.  First to strike was Becky Walsh from Marshalstown who bagged the first of her four great goals - scores that seemed to have Wexford on the path to victory.

But Offaly (celebrating victory) have a jewel at full-forward who rose to the occasion in the 14th minute with a brilliant goal.  Sailing high Sarah Harding fielded superbly, turning as she landed there was only one thing on her mind, took a belt en route before netting a great goal.   The score put Offaly 2-2 to 1-1 in front having goaled in the 12 minute through Sarah Kehoe.  It was more than the score that counted.  From hereon - one could see the fear that Sarah created in the Wexford team every time she won possession.

But despite her brilliance, Wexford took a healthy 5-2 to 2-4 lead to the half-time break.  Becky Walsh had found the net on four occasions and Orla Crowe and Aoife Curran also knew where the posts were.

They managed to overcome the early concession of a goal from a free after the break from Sarah Harding when Orla Crowe raised the green flag in the 36th minute but from there to the finish they could only manage one more point.

It wasn't a one girl show, Offaly have several more players of great ability.  Typical Offaly players - tight marking, good striking, intelligent use of the ball and great heart.  Aoibhe Whelahan of the famous Birr family at full-back, Ciara Brennan at centre back, Louise Savage and Rachel O'Brien in the centre of the field and Hannah Larkin in attack.

But the "go to girl" was Sarah Harding - she brought Offaly to within a point of Wexford with 10 minutes remaining; put them ahead five minutes later with her fourth goal and then delivered a monster of a free from 60m to push the Faithful three points clear.

Wexford fought desperately for the equaliser and it almost came but Elen Gilligan got a stick to the ball in the Offaly goals to save the day.

An epic game from two great teams.

Under 16B Championship Final

Westmeath 5-12  Kildare 3-4

Midway through the first half - Kildare had established a 3-1 to 1-2 lead thanks to goals form Lea Sutton (2) and Caoimhe Shiel.  The Lilywhites were defending well especially Lilley Evans at corner back and Westmeath were in a bit of difficulty.

But the balance shifted in the second quarter.  Westmeath have some lovely players with great skill, pace and some nice teamwork.

Around the middle of the field - Sheila McGrath began to dictate matters and goals from Aoife Kearney and the excellent Jade McKeogh eroded the Kildare lead.  Two smart points from Aoife Doherty and Ava Balfe completed the recovery to give them a 2-6 to 3-2 half time advantage.

The second half continued to see Westmeath build on their lead with great displays from Ciara O'Looney and Aoife O'Malloy.  A string of scores followed from Jade McKeogh (goal), Jane Nangle, Ciara O'Looney (0-3), Hannah Core, Megan Carroll as well as double goals from substitute Niamh McCarty.

Kildare had their own stars especially Caoimhe Sheil, goalkeeper Aoife Morrison and full back Ciara Naughton.    Lea Sutton and Roisin Forde picked up their second half points.

Under 16B Shield Final

Meath 3-11  Carlow 2-4

The homeside was made pay dearly for a very slow start to this game.  Meath struck 1-7 to nil in the opening 19 minutes,  For the remainder of the game - the scoreline reads a more respectable and competitive 2-4 to 2-4.

In that opening phase Meath were slick and clinical.   Beverly Lynch was first off the mark to be followed by Maire Kirby, Katie Mulvihill and in as many minutes the Royals had racked up 6 points.  The goal came courtesy of Beverly Lynch in the 18th minute.

But when it looked like Carlow were on course to a hiding they dug deep and from the moment Anna Breen pointed their first score in the 19th minute their confidence grew.

Meath led by 1-10 to 0-2 at the break.

The second half was a much closer affair but the damage had been done and displaying fine teamwork and some great skill especially from the likes of half-back Sophia Payne, Katie Mulvihill and Maire Kirby - they kept the margin between the sides.

Carlow never gave up and two goals from Ciara Kavanagh and points from Anna Breen and Emma Cody were tonics.

But the margin that was laid in the first half could not be breached and when time was almost up Clodagh McKeon grabbed her second goal to give Meath a deserved win.

 

Tweet

Most Read Stories