Minor B Leinster Semi Final
Kilkenny 1-12 Dublin 1-11
A windy day in Thomastown as Kilkenny U17 took on Dublin Minor B team. The match winners would head to a Leinster final and was to be decided on the day
Kilkenny played with the wind in the first half, a wind blowing right into the top right hand corner. Dublin won the first through ball and the ball broke into the forwards. Bang into the back of the net. The back didn’t know what had happened. An excellent puck out from Kilkenny’s Keeper Eibhlin Thompson saw the sliotar hit the far 45 yard line to where Ella Walton came onto the ball and banged it over the bar. A very positive response from Kilkenny. Dublin puck out against the wind saw the sliotar hitting Kilkenny 45 yard line, Kilkenny won the ruck and Tara Cody popped it over the bar. The third point, a free also went over the bar from Tara Cody from an excellent strike from about 60 yards out.
Kilkenny found Dublin’s Tactics for puck-outs slightly overwhelming, this led to Kilkenny losing possession of a lot of ball in the middle. The ball made its way down to Kilkenny’s backs but with great determination and patience Sinead Jones won the ball from a ruck and brought it out to Jane O’Shea who got the clearance away. Chloe Teehan and Maria Ryan both free players for Kilkenny as Dublin played two extra at the back of their defense against the wind. Kilkenny won a free on their own 65 yard line, Chloe Teehan stepped over it and Coach Tommy Wall shouted “Have a pop”. And that she did, it was a thing of beauty. An excellent strike. Ella Walton made a swap to Centre forward proving very beneficial as Shauna Mahony broke through, gave the ball back to Ella Walton and it hit the net. Kilkenny fought hard for every ruck in the middle of the field. It was a dog fight out there. Aoibheann Ryan and Lilly Ryan showing excellent engines tracking up and down the field. Dublin won the Puck out and drove the ball into the forwards, backs tried their best but the ball flew over the black spot. Another free for Dublin after that, as Jane O’Shea fouled on her own 45. She connected well with the ball. Dublin with 1:03 on the board towards the final seconds. The referee blew half time.
Half Time Score: KK 1:09 TO DB 1:03
Kilkenny starting 15 stayed as they were in the second half, Ella Walton staying at 11, and Shauna Mahony Playing at 13. Tara Cody excellent on frees as she hit the sweet spot on her first. Dublin’s free taker was marvellous also hitting over some great frees. The wind picked up again as 10 minutes were gone into the second half. Kilkenny struggled now to win puck outs and Dublin got on top. Sinead Henderson at 7 strong as she broke out with the ball. Ciara Nolan doing massive running up and down the lines in the second half but her time came when two changes are made to the Kilkenny Squad, Ava Sutton the captain came on at half forward replacing Ciara Nolan, Ella Maher replaced Keelin Byrne at Right corner forward, Keelin doing a lot of dog work for Kilkenny in the first half. Dublin got some great scores from play as no.31 made a difference at corner forward. Ella Walton played now almost as a third midfielder. Ella and Tara working well as a team. Ava Sutton made a huge difference in the far half forward line winning the ball and sending it into Sophie Roberts who was waiting patiently in there and holding the ball well when it did. Aoibheann Ryan started to struggle with cramp into the final 15 minutes, she was replaced by Keelin Henebry who sat back for Kilkenny and played as a seventh defender. Kilkenny backs were under fierce pressure in the closing minutes of the game. Mia Dunne drove out with balls to her centre back Chloe Teehan, Maria Ryan strong over the ball passing it to Jane O’Shea. Kilkenny’s full back Sinead Jones outstanding holding her own at 3. Dublin scored a free, 1:12 to 1:11, Dublin sent the ball in but Kilkenny’s Goalkeeper Eibhlin Thompson so strong over the ball got it out to Sinead her fullback and the ball was cleared. Ella Walton won the puck out but the ball was sent back into Kilkenny’s defense but dealt with. 4 minutes added on now passed, finally the referee blew the whistle. And Kilkenny are Victorious in the semi final with a result of 1:12 to 1:11.
Kilkenny – Eibhlin Thompson, Maria Ryan, Sinead Jones, Mia Dunne, Jane O’Shea, Chloe Teehan, Sinead Henderson, Aoibheann Ryan, Lilly Ryan, Tara Cody, Shauna Mahony, Ciara Nolan, Keelin Byrne, Sophie Roberts, Ella Walton
Subs – Orla Duggan, Caitlin Grant, Ava Sutton (Capt), Niamh Cleere, Ellie Fenlon, Keelin Henebry, Caroline Coughlan, Ella Maher, Fauve Walsh, Naomi Kerr, Megan Trait
Dublin – Mia Clarkin, Amy Keogh, Lucy Brady, Aoife Reynolds, Ella Sliney, Emma Ryan, Aoibheann O’Gorman, Sadhbh Lynch, Leah Coburn, Sinead Ni Bhaoighill, Ruth Cosgrave, Freya Lilly Eggen, Ella Jenkins, Sadhbh McGeough, Clodagh Glennon, Medhbh Ni Cleirigh, Katie Mai Leonard, Lilly Coughlan, Chloe Kearns, Kay Ryan, Lauren Haugh, Jodie Doyle, Rebekah Verling, Niamh O’Brien, Grace Hughes, Molly Crowther, Sadbh McCann, Clodagh Hogan, Anna Magee, Nabby Ryan
By PRO Tue 4th Feb
