U16: Kingdom hold on to see off Dublin challenge
July 17, 2015Dublin U16's exited the All Ireland championship on Wednesday night last following a five point defeat to a strong well drilled Kerry outfit.
The bulk of the Kerry panel had experienced All Ireland success last season at U14 level and came into Wednesday's game brimming with confidence having defeated their great rivals Cork twice in Munster on route to their All -Ireland semi-final appearance with Dublin.
Dublin showed Great Spirit throughout the opening half against a physically strong Kerry side but at the interval Kerry had a seven point advantage over the Dubs as the score board read Kerry 2-08 Dublin 2-01.
Dublin's first half goals had come from the boot of full forward Danielle Lawless and the industrious corner forward Caoimhe O'Connor.
The opening period of the second half continued to go in Kerry's favour with the Kingdom registering their 3rd goal early on but to their credit the Dub's lead by Captain Clara O'Sullivan never gave up pulling back the Kerry lead to just 5 points. Dublin's third goal was a penalty which was well taken by the fore mentioned Caoimhe O'Connor.
Indeed Dublin had clawed back the Kerry lead to within 4 points with 8 minutes remaining on the clock but the Kingdom's experience came to the fore in the closing stages of this enthralling encounter.
Despite Dublin's never say die attitude Kerry kept calm and were able to pick off a brace of unanswered points to push the gap between the sides out to 5 points, FT Kerry 3-14 Dublin 3-09.
Kerry will now go on to play Galway in the All Ireland final on July 29th the Tribeswomen overcame the challenge of Tyrone on a score line of 2-14 to 1-10.
Dublin line out v Kerry:
Jenny Flaherty (Ballyboden St Endas), Eve Reidy (Foxrock Cabinteely), Siabh Hannigan (Parnells) Sinead O'Donoghue (Kilmacud Crokes), Heather Bolger (Clontarf), Sarah Fagan (Clontarf) Shannon Murtagh (Fingallians), Jennifer Dunne (Cuala), Michelle Carey (Ballinteer St Johns) Niamh Carey (Ballinteer St Johns), Rachel Brennan (St Peregrines), Clara O'Sullivan (Naomh Olaf) Ciara McDunphy (Raheny), Danielle Lawless (St Sylvester's), Caoimhe O'Connor (Clontarf)
Dublin Scorers:
Caoimhe O'Connor 2-03, Danielle Lawless 1-01, Clara O'Sullivan 0-02, Ciara McDunphy, Niamh Carey and Sarah Fagan 0-01 each.
