U16 Leinster Title for Louth Ladies
U16 Leinster Title for Louth Ladies
May 16, 2019
Leinster U16 ‘C’ Championship final 2019
Louth 3–13 Laois 1–10
Louth U16s produced a brilliant display against Laois in Athy on Sunday afternoon to deservedly lift the Leinster U16 C Championship trophy.
The Wee County’s start matched the bright, sunny weather and they almost made an early breakthrough when Rachel Leonard won possession from the throw-in and went on a strong run before finding Ellen McBride but the full forward saw her shot brilliantly kept out by Laois goalkeeper Aoibhe Brennan.
The Reds dominated the early exchanges and Mia Duffy opened the scoring with a free before further points from Sophie Turley, Roisin Maguire and Seona Halligan put them four points clear midway through the half.
Louth would have been further ahead but for the exceptional display of the Laois netminder, Aoibhe Brennan. The Laois keeper kept her side in the game by making three excellent stops and their dominance could be measured by the fact that Laois didn’t advance past the halfway line until the seventh minute!
A fourth goal chance fell Louth’s way in the 18th minute when Player of the Match Roisin Maguire beat a couple of defenders only to see her shot kept out by the woodwork.
Laois eventually got off the mark when the lively Leah Tarpey shot over with 20 minutes played and the same player quickly added a further point before late scores from Maguire (2) and McBride left three between the sides, 0–7 to 0–4 at the break.
Leah Tarpey and Ava Briscoe swapped points after the resumption before Louth took a firm grip on the game when Roche Emmets’ Abi Keenan won possession near the touchline and jinked past a couple of defenders before firing a brilliant angled shot into the back of the Laois net.
Tarpey and Maguire exchanged points before Keenan took centre stage again, collecting a brilliant pass from Rachel Leonard in space to drill home her second goal of the afternoon.
Louth almost had a further goal moments later but the unlucky Ellen McBride shot inches wide. There was no let-up, however, and they were rewarded when Leonard bagged a third goal in seven minutes to increase the lead, 3–9 to 0–8.
Laois hit back immediately with a well-taken goal of their own through Ava Lalor but Louth never looked in danger and added further points through Roisin Maguire and substitute Sarah Gilmore to emerge as comfortable winners.
Louth two-goal hero Abi Keenan who qualifies to play in this grade next season was thrilled with the outcome;
"I am over the moon with the victory and scoring two goals. It was a tough match and we were a little concerned to be only three points in front at half time, but the management were great. My first goal I just saw the goals and I just kinda went for it and thankfully it went in."
Player of the match Roisin Maguire felt the win was a tribute to an all-round team effort, "While it was great to get the award, I couldn't have gotten it without my teammates and the subs who came on. Our midfield and defence is so good and I am dependent on the quality of ball they give and it's great.
Everyone is so committed and the management have done so much to improve us as player's" added the St. Kevin's star.
Louth mentor Gerard Roe spoke of the potential in this young squad, "It was an absolutely brilliant win. We took control early on and we never let it slip. We could have been further ahead at half time but I wasn't too concerned as we were on top at midfield and have a solid defence, it was about keeping the player's settled. There is fantastic talent in this panel, football in Louth is very strong at this level and the future looks very promising" added the Faughart native.
Laois manager Paul Mulhall, was full of praise for the Louth performance; "Martin (Duffy) and his backroom team have done a great job as they are a very well drilled outfit, we knew it was going to be very tough today as we played them last year up in Dundalk. I was happy enough at half time to be just three behind, and while we got the first score, they didn't panic and they came back at us strongly and got the early second-half goals to put the game was beyond us.
We have had a tough year but I am very pleased with the efforts of the team, our girls never gave up" said the Laois boss.
Louth will now meet Antrim in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on July 10. The Saffron girls beat Down by 5-13 to 6-06 in the Ulster Final also on Sunday last.
Louth; Rebecca Lambe Fegan, Amy Farrell, Caitlin O'Reilly, Aine Carolan, Ella McEntaggert, Kelly Carolan, Louise Johnson,
Sophie Turley, 0:1;Mia Duffy, 0:2, Ava Briscoe, 0:1,Rachel Leonard, 1:00, Roisin Maguire, 0:4, Abi Keenan,2:00, Ellen McBride, Seona Halligan, 0:1.
Louth: Rebecca Lambe Fegan; Amy Farrell, Caitlin O’Reilly, Aine Carolan; Ella McEntaggert, Kelly Carolan, Louise Johnson; Sophie Turley (0–01), Mia Duffy (0–02); Ava Briscoe (0–01), Rachel Leonard (1–00), Roisin Maguire (0–06);
Abi Keenan (2–00), Ellen McBride (0–01), Seona Halligan (0–01)
Subs: Sarah Gilmore (0–01), Alice Ferguson, Laoise McElroy, Leah McArdle, Sinead Kneel.
Laois: Aoibhe Brennan; Jasmine Kinsella, Sarah Tuohy, Aoibhe Mulhall; Grainne Cotter, Georgina, Fiona Fennessy; Aishling Fitzpatrick, Ava Lawlor (1–00); Rachel Glynn, Anna Lalor, Ellen Donohue; Kelly O’Neill (0–02), Leah Tarpey (0–07), Ciara Crowley. Subs: Niamh Conroy (0–01), Eleanor Healy, Chloe Conroy, Sinead Good.
Referee: Cathy Forde (Wicklow).
In the Minor Championship C final played on Saturday, Louth lost to Wexford by 6:09 to 5:09 in Blessington.
Report by Dermot Woods
Photos by Dónal Fitzpatrick