Leinster u14 B Championship

Offaly 4 - 15

Carlow 1- 03

By Alma Egan

On Saturday afternoon, Offaly and Carlow met in Tubber GAA pitch in round three of the Leinster U14 Championship. The pitch was in great condition and there was good support in attendance from both sides, however the rain was relentless for most of the game.

Carlow got off to a good start. A nice passage of play and a good goal chance was denied by the woodwork. This was followed by the first point of the game from Carlow. But Offaly followed quickly with 1-01 and stretched their lead throughout the first half. At half time, Offaly were well ahead on a scoreline of 3-05 to Carlow’s 0-03.

The weather deteriorated further in the second half. However, this didn't lessen the quality of the football, although there were lots of handling errors on both sides given the conditions. Offaly added a further 1-4 during the half while Carlow had only one converted scoring chance.

The final score on paper takes away from the performance of the Carlow girls. Carlow were fiercely competitive and unlucky not to convert more chances. The score may seem one sided, however the game full of great play from both sides in slippery conditions.

Best for Carlow were Roisin Joyce and goalkeeper Sarah Joyce. For Offaly, there were good performances throughout, but Lillian Murray, Poppy Meyer and Sophie Egan deserve a mention!

Offaly will now go on to play Laois in the Leinster B final next weekend!

OFFALY: Mary Kate Maher, Lauren Fox, Katie Doyle, Emily Walsh, Ava Grennan, Teagan Daly, Sophie Gannon, Muireann Foy, Faith McDermott, Una O'Brien, Katie Doolan, Poppy Meyer, Orla Hanlon, Ella Cuskelly, Ava Kenny.

Subs: Ava Lee, Sophie Egan, Sasha Coleman, Abby Connolly, Cori McCusker, Rebecca Looby, Lillian Murray, Polly Duffy, Sarah Cunniffe, Lucy Flynn, Emily Darcy, Lucy Champ, Abbie Minnock, Kellie Jordan, Orla Ross.

CARLOW: Sarah Joyce, Ella Davis, Lauryn Webster, Moya O'Toole, Chloe Ryan, Leah Egan, Olwynn Doyle, Grainne Thompson, Kate Culleton, Roisin Collins, Roisin Joyce, Alice Dalton, Kate Burke, India Mernagh, Isobel Cronin.

Subs: Ciara Tooher, Niamh Ralph, Tara O'Neill, Leah Dunne, Nicole Roberts, Michaela Earl, Molly Maher, Lily May Hosey, Ellie Byrne, Alice Hickey, Sine Myers, Summer Doorley, Emily Kelly, Orla Healey, Amy Farrell.

Ref: Paul O’Malley (Westmeath)

Photo Credit: Alma Egan