U16s: Lilies Take Title Defeating Laois
U16s: Lilies Take Title Defeating Laois
May 08, 2022
Leinster U16 B Championship final
Kildare 0-17
Laois 2-03
By Dónal Fitzpatrick
Tara Rafferty hit seven points as Kildare were crowned Leinster U16 B Champions defeating Laois in a gloriously sunny Gracefield GAA on Saturday afternoon. Kildare’s six starting forwards contributed 0-15 of the Lilies total tally of 0-17 while player of the match went to Aoife Murnane for her unrelenting work rate and intensity.
While the game started as a cagey affair, it was the girls in white that took control and raced into a seven point lead. Laois finally got off the mark and goaled through Lauren Rowen after excellent build up play from a very dangerous Aoibhe Byron, and it was the latter that tagged on a point to reduce the deficit and leave three between the sides.
Kildare composed themselves and continued to press forward. They were unlucky not to net through Caoimhe Egan, as both herself and Keeper Ava Shanahan stumbled to win possession. Egan managed to play the ball from the ground towards an empty goal, only for a last second clearance off the line from Byron who was back helping her defence out. Kildare tagged on five unanswered points before Laois stemmed the flow just on the stroke of half time with a point from Emma Carney to see Kildare lead by seven points at the break; 0-12 to 1-2.
After a brief pause owing to a clash of heads, the game resumed with the sides trading points through Aoife Murnane and Laois captain Byron. With both sides making changes throughout the second period the intensity dropped a little in what was very warm conditions.
Kildare hit three unanswered points from Tara Rafferty, however Laois refused to give up and danger woman, captain Aoibhe Byron cancelled out Rafferty’s points with a late goal. However, Rafferty had the last say as she brought the game to a close with the last score of the game to ensure Kildare took home the silverware on a 0-17 to 2-3 scoreline.
Congratulations to Kildare who will now progress to the All Ireland Series.
Kildare: Sophie Knightly, Julie Brannigan, Zara Hurley cpt, Heidi Lyons, Laura Dunlea 0.01, Niamh Murphy, Maebh McDonagh, Beibhinn Hughes 0.01, Áine McNally, Emma Walshe 0.01, Abi Whelan 0.01, Aoife Murnane 0.02, Caoimhe Egan 0.01 , Saoirse Mahon 0.03 , Tara Rafferty 0.07(2fs).
Subs: Lauren De Courcy, Casey Noone, Mya Pardy, Eimear Behan, Aine Travers, Hannah Murphy, Grace Mountaine, Francesca Smith, Emma Doherty, Bryanna Abbey, Sadhbh Buckley, Holly McCann, Sarah Bradley, Maebh Caffrey, Holly Telford.
Laois: Ava Shanahan, Mairead Foyle, Stefanie Abrama, Julie Ann Bennett, Sarah Gorman, Aoife Gorman, Ella Murphy, Ciara Malone, Lucy Conroy, Amy Lacey, Grace Cunningham, Aoibhe Foyle, Emma Carney 0.01, Aoibhe Byron capt 1.02, Lauren Rowen 1.00
Subs: Grace Fox, Aoife Hughes, Jane Ramsbottom, Faye Brown, Chelsea Lee, Aoife Dunne, Ella Phelan, Anna Mulligan, Ali Meally, Aisling Crawley, Abbey Louise Byrne, Sarah Doyle, Alison Dalton, Hannah McEvoy, Erin Feighery.
Referee: Finbarr Shanahan (Dublin)
Photo Credit: Karl Gormley