Dicksboro 7-11 Danesfort 3-14
A strong finish in which they outscored their opponents by 3-3 to 0-1 was enough to see Dicksboro through to the Minor A championship final with a hard fought win over Danesfort in the semi-final which was played in Danesfort on Monday 1st September. This was a very competitive match all through and both sides had periods of dominance throughout the opening 50 minutes; however, the fast finish by the city girls ultimately proved to be the difference.
Danesfort opened backed by slight elements and made a fast start which gave them a 1-3 to 0-0 lead after five minutes – the goal being scored by Shauna Mahony. Gradually, Dicksboro settled to the task and a goal from Nessa Teehan after an Emma Hogan point from a free had them right back in the contest by the 12th minute. The ebb and flow of this contest continued to half time – a Niamh Davis goal in the 17th minute pushed Danesfort’s lead to six points (2-3 to 1-2) but two goals from the Dicksboro corner forwards (Aoibhin Deegan and Sophie O’Riordan) within two minutes (24th and 25th minute) reduced the deficit to the minimum and both sides traded points from here to half time through Niamh Davis (D) and Emma Hogan (D) to leave the half time score at Danesfort 2-8 Dicksboro 3-4.
After the high scoring first half, both defences started the second half on top with scores now harder to come by and both sides had added two points each by the 40th minute. Dicksboro then struck for a third goal through the impressive Megan Trait and further scores from Emma Hogan and Aoibhin Deegan saw them lead for the first time 4-8 to 2-12 by the 45th minute. Danesfort then hit a mini purple patch of their own with a final goal by Niamh Davis being followed by scores from Shauna Mahony and a Niamh Davis free to put them 3-13 to 4-8 head as we entered the last ten minutes. Dicksboro held firm at this time and after substitute Laura Treacy goaled in the 52nd minute to put them back in front, they drove on to the finish with further scores from Sophie Roberts and an Emma Hogan free before two late goals from Cara Duggan put the seal on a fine win for the Palmerstown girls. Overall, the final score flattered Dicksboro somewhat but they had many girls putting in fine performances and on this showing, they will be formidable opponents in the Minor A final on the weekend of 13/14 September.
Dicksboro: Kate Meighan, Lily Maher, Lily Ryan Murray, Anna Keogh, Faye Reynolds, Ali Greany, Eimear O’Neill, Eva Tynan, Nessa Teehan, Emma Hogan, Cara Duggan, Megan Trait, Aoibhin Deegan, Sophie Roberts, Sophie O’Riordan. Subs: Sarah Donlan, Laura Treacy, Jill Dalton, Emily Chambers, Anna Brennan, Jill Dempsey, Jane Everard, Lily Everard, Rosie Walker.
Danesfort: Anna Walsh, Ava Walsh, Aileen Gleeson , Isabelle Galvin, Talor Rafter, Jill O’Brien, Aine Foley, Millie Ireland-Wall, Ailbhe Ni Casaide, Niamh Davis (C), Shauna Mahony, Cadhia Boylan, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Ellen Hanafin, Mai Kearney. Subs: Ruth Fitzpatrick, Orla Gleeson. Subs: Sophie Gilmore, Aoibheann O’Reilly, Mia Lawlor, Sophie Sheehan, Emily Doyle.
Referee: Eamon Larkin.
By PRO Thu 4th Sep
