Leinster Minor B Quarterfinal Match Report
Kilkenny 3-12 Dublin 3-4
Kilkenny’s U17 girls, who are competing in the Leinster Minor B championship, emerged as convincing winners in their quarterfinal match played in UCD last Sunday afternoon although the final scoreline would be hard to believe for anyone who watched the first 23 minutes of the contest as the lively Dublin U17 girls had a fully deserved 2-3 to 0-3 lead at this time. The Kilkenny girls, under the guidance of Philip O’Hara, did manage to change the momentum of the match leading up to half time when they had drawn level (2-4 to 1-7) and they kicked on well in the second half which they largely dominated to qualify for the semifinal of this competition in two weeks time.
On a relatively soft surface in Belfield, Kilkenny opened with a smart point from play from Grace Farrell in the opening minute and they did add a second point minutes later from the impressive Katie Dunphy in the 6th minute but Dublin were competing well all over the field at this time and while they initially struggled to score with some wides playing into the wind, they did find their scoring touch with three pointed frees from Abigail Ryan to lead 0-3 to 0-2 after 16 minutes and their improved play all round the pitch soon led to a well take goal by full forward Mia Sliney to push them four points clear. Moya Egan did reply with a much needed Kilkenny score but they were further rocked by a smart finish to the net by Dublin’s Aoibheann Coughlan in the 23rd minute which stretched their lead to six points. The Dublin girls looked superior all over the field at this time although remarkably they were not to score again until the 59th minute as the Kilkenny girls proceeded to get a grip on the match. The change in momentum started with a scoring burst of 1-4 from the 25th to the 29th minute with points from Gwen Wade, Katie Dunphy, Aoibhe Burke and an Aisleann Mullally free while Gwen Wade also finished a good move to the net after a great run & pass from Eilish Keating. Dublin did level the match on the half time whistle through an Abigail Ryan free and it was all to play for with a drawn match at the interval.
Kilkenny’s half time team talk certainly saw a much improved work rate throughout the second period and in truth they were the dominant team once Grace Farrell pointed then in front in the 31st minute. Their defence led by Eva Tynan, Caragh Brennan and Hilary Muldowney got to grips with the Dublin attack while the midfielders and forwards were now competing much better for breaks all over the field. This saw them score an unanswered 2-5 from half time to the 60th minute with goals coming from Gwen Wade and Aoibhe Bourke. Dublin did reply with a late goal from Mia Sliney but this was more of a consolation score as the final whistle sounded shortly afterwards. Kilkenny will be pleased at the reaction to a slow start and the work done by the management team certainly showed as this match progressed – and they now move on to play Laois at home in the Minor B Semifinal in two weeks time. The match was played in a very good spirit and was well managed by referee Brian Deering who let play flow as much as possible given the conditions on the day.
Kilkenny: Clodagh Galway, Lucy Lennon, Moya O’Shea, Hilary Muldowney, Julia Adamczyk, Eva Tynan, Ruby Doyle, Lauren Skehan, Aoibhe Burke, Katie Dunphy, Aisleann Mullally, Moya Egan, Gwen Wade, Grace Farrell, Eilish Keating. Subs: Clodagh O’Shea, Alanna Russell, Molly Quinn, Laoise Kehoe, Colleen Byrne, Caragh Brennan, Laura Treacy, Lucy O’Gorman, Blaithnaid Keane, Orlaith O’Shea, Ava Darcy, Muireann Kenny.
Dublin: Cindy Peat, Aoife Kilduff, Caoimhe Phelan, Keelin Dwyer, Keelin Aherne, Una Ni Bhreatuin, Isla O’Brien, Willow Agnew, Sophie Keary, Layla-Mai McNeill, Maya McGuckin, Abigail Ryan, Aoibheann Coughlan, Mia Sliney, Jessica Lombard. Subs: Erin Hynes, Isbella Johns, Katie McGrath, Isabelle Lambert, Aisling Fitzgerald, Emma Butler, Nora Jane Walsh, Daisy Sutherland.
Referee: Brain Deering.
By PRO Thu 12th Feb
