16s: Louth Crowned Champions!
16s: Louth Crowned Champions!
July 30, 2021
Louth 6-11
Kilkenny 4-11
A scintillating opening half ensured the Leinster U16 C Championship Cup returned to the Wee County on Wednesday evening when they took on Kilkenny in Ballymore Eustace. Player of the Match Mischa Rooney hit 1-04 as Louth retained the U16 C Cup, having previously annexed the title in 2019.
Louth won on a 6-11 to 4-11 scoreline but this was most definitely a game of two halves. Louth laid the foundations of their win in a scintillating first half. They found the net five times in the opening half and had a commanding 5-08 to 1-03 lead at the break.
However, in true never say die style, Kilkenny came out in the second half with a reignited spirit and reduced the deficit to just four points, holding Louth scoreless in this period.
After the water break, Louth restored their advantage back to nine points and while Kilkenny ended with a hat trick of points, they could not reduce the deficit further and Louth were crowned champions.
Órlaith Carolan netted twice for Bryan Lynch’s side while there were also goals for Aisling Maguire, Shauna Lynch, Lucy Watters and Player of the Match Mischa Rooney. Katelyn Murphy covered every inch of the Ballymore Eustace field, adding three points over the hour to boot, while Captain Hannah Leech drove the ball forward at every opportunity. Niamh McGeough was impressive throughout between the sticks for Louth and her save deep in the second half boosted Louth morale paving the way for victory.
Louth: N McGeough, T Kelly, H Malone, A Martin, A Everitt, H Leech (C), C McCarragher, A McNally, L White, S Lynch, K Murphy, L Watters, Ó Carolan, M Rooney, I Meehan.
Subs: B Fonkoh, E Flanagan, A Maguire, A Enyoazu, E Smyth, S Clinton, B Corrigan, K Corcoran, R Gillespie, B Carroll, E Ryan, A Dawson, A Clarke, K Clarke, M Murphy.
Kilkenny: K Fitzpatrick, A O’Grady, A Kennedy, E Smith (C), J Comerford, R McElwee, B Holden, A Shealy, S Kerr, A Timmons, K O’Shea, L Gilmore, S Carroll, A Dunphy, T Roche.
Subs: M O’Connell, G Healy, E Moran, E Clancy, A O’Neill, A Healy, C Mooney, L Patterson, L O’Brien, K Grace, A Browne, R Phelan, L Phelan, A Carroll, C O’Neill.
Referee: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath)
Report and Photos: Aisling Clery