Eir U16A All Ireland Championship 3rd Round
Sunday 8th March 2026
Kilkenny U16 A v’s Galway U16 A
Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, Galway
Kilkenny 2-14 Galway 2-13
Both Kilkenny and Galway went into this match today unbeaten in the All Ireland Series and both were looking for their third win of the competition. The quality of camogie and level of commitment from both sides lived up to expectations. Within the first minute of play, there was goal scored at each end of the pitch. Ruby Norris, playing at mid field, won the throw in, delivered a quick ball into corner forward Dearbhla Ryan who passed it to the oncoming Rachael Duff. Duff sprinted towards goal and finished it with a powerful shot to the net. Galway goalkeeper, Ciara Doyle, gave a quick puckout to Tara Power, who launched it into the Galway forwards. Ciara Mullins pounced on the ball and took an excellent shot to score Galway’s opener. This game was set to be a thriller! Kilkenny responded quickly with points from Dearbhla Ryan and Ruby Norris after hard work from Rebecca Smith and Rachel Duff at wing forward. Galway’s mid field settled well and powered on to take 3 unanswered points with Grace Roche (one from free)scoring 2 and Katie Brogan taking one. Both teams traded points for the next 15 minutes, with Kilkenny’s Noa Bambrick scoring 3 points from frees and Galway’s Orna Dunne scoring 2 and Cara Giblin also scoring 2 (one from a free). During this time, both sets of forwards were putting severe pressure on the backs but Kilkenny’s Robyn Corcoran cleared some powerful balls and equally Galway’s Kate Melville defended with power and determination. Shortly after this, Galway made their first substitution with Maeve Cronin coming on for Saorlaith Ni Mhuireadhaigh. In the 25th minute, Galway’s full forward had the ball in her hand and was heading for goal but Heidi Culleton in the Kilkenny goal, used her body well to block the oncoming shot and protect the goal. The resulting 45 for Galway was scored by Cara Giblin. Again, Kilkenny responded positively with a well taken point from Kate Dalton at corner forward and hardworking Rachael Duff followed this up with a point of her own. However, Galway had more to add to this half and finished it off with a point from Orna Dunne and a superb goal from the lively Grace Roche at corner forward. Galway made their second substitution before half time with Kayla Burke coming on for Aoibhe Lydon. Half time score: Kilkenny 1-7 Galway 2-8
The Kilkenny girls started off the second half with fierce determination and power. Noa Bambrick scored the opening point, after 2 minutes and followed it up 2 minutes later with another wonderful score. Galway ‘s half back line then took more control and worked the ball up to their forwards where Ciara Mullins broke clear of the Kilkenny defence but Kilkenny goalkeeper, Heidi Culleton made an excellent block on the goal line and knocked it out for a 45. Joint Captain, Cara Giblin put the resulting 45 over the bar. Giblin followed this with another excellent point in the 39th minute. Kilkenny introduced Elizabeth Sida into the half back line for Sinead Cash and Leyla Ahern to corner forward for Dearbhla Ryan. Over the next 14 minutes, Kilkenny’s defence got on top with Ciara Joyce, Isabel Carroll, Rachel Murphy and Robyn Corcoran winning the battles with their markers. Kilkenny’s mid field also got on top with Rebecca Smith putting in a super performance, winning several rucks around the field. In the 44th minute, a side line ball from N. Bambrick went straight to R. Duff who cleverly took her point. Ruby Norris followed this up with another lovely point. Holly Drennan and Rachel Murphy were working well together in defense and as the ball landed again in Rachael Duff’s hand, she made sure of it, raced for goal and put it in the corner of the net. Galway made another substitution to try to counter act Kilkenny’s play with Katelyn Hynes coming on for Eva Harkin and they came back into the game with a free from the very accurate Cara Giblin and a superbly taken point from Orna Dunne. The game was now into the last 5 minutes of normal time and there was nothing between the 2 teams. Noa Bambrick slotted over a free but it was Ruby Norris, who was now playing at centre forward, who worked her magic and placed two shots over the bar to go 2 points ahead. Kilkenny’s Sophie McCabe came on for Amy Walsh and instantly made an impact, along with Leyla Ahern by holding up ball and putting pressure on the Galway backs. The closing moments of the match were tense and even though Galway managed to get a point back through a free from Grace Roche, Kilkenny held on to get the win, by one point. Kilkenny’s defence in the second half was immense with Ciara Joyce and Rachel Murphy showing dominance and determination. This was a gritty performance from the Kilkenny girls on the road, in a well presented Duggan Park, Ballinasloe and they did extremely well to come away with a one point victory. Final Score: Kilkenny 2-14 Galway 2-13
Kilkenny team: Heidi Culleton, Sinead Cash, Robyn Corcoran, Ciara Joyce (C), Holly Drennan, Rachel Murphy, Isabel Carroll, Ruby Norris (0-4), Amy Walsh, Rachael Duff (2-2), Noa Bambrick (0-6, 0-4frees), Rebecca Smith, Kate Dalton (0-1), Meabh Kenny, Dearbhla Ryan (0-1).
Galway team: Ciara Doyle, Kate Melville, Saorlaith Ni Mhuireadhaigh, Aoife Lawlor, Tara Power, Alannah Hughes, Nessa Coen, Maia Nevin, Katie Brogan (0-1), Aoibhe Lydon, Cara Giblin (0-5, 0-1 45), Orna Dunne (0-4), Eva Harkin, Ciara Mullins (0-1), Grace Roche (1—3, 0-2frees).
By PRO Sat 14th Mar
