WRAP: Leinster U16 Championship Round One

There were goals galore in the opening round of the Leinster U16 Championship played yesterday with no fewer than thirty-eight goals scored in total across the province!

Of those thirty-eight, sixteen were scored in Group A. Dublin and Meath played out a nine goal thriller with Dublin securing victory with a last minute goal to seal a single point win. Orla Keighran hit 1-3 for the reigning champions while there were also goals for Ali Henry, Grace Dolly and Gemma Connolly. Meath, meanwhile, will feel it was a game they left behind and they will no doubt regroup. Captain Poppy Byrne led by example as she hit 2-2 for the Royals, while Ella McGlue (2) and Éabha Hanley (penalty) also raised green flags.

Meanwhile, in St. Anne’s, Kildare fired six goals past Wexford. It could have been more only for the brilliant Ava Skye Byrne in the Wexford nets. Kildare took a handsome 5-1 to 1-0 lead into the half time break. Tara Rafferty converted 2-2 for the Lilies while Megan Alcock also hit 2-1. Anna Coburn and Ruth Dillon also found the net for the visitors, while Leah Roban expertly dispatched a penalty for the home side.

In Group B, Laois travelled to Westmeath and put seven goals past the home side to run out easy winners while Longford and Wicklow played out a tight encounter with Longford winning by four points; 3-9 to 2-8.

In Group C, Offaly had just two points to spare over Louth when they went to battle in Bretland Park. In the final game, Carlow got off to the perfect start when they saw off Kilkenny.

RESULTS:

Group A

Dublin 4-9, Meath 5-5

Kildare 6-3, Wexford 1-3

Group B

Laois 7-7, Westmeath 0-5

Longford 3-9, Wicklow 2-8

Group C

Offaly 2-8, Louth 1-9

Carlow 6-9, Kilkenny 1-3

Photo: Dónal Fitzpatrick

Wrap by Aisling Clery