Eir All Ireland U16 Semi Final: Kilkenny A v’s Galway A
Fethard Town Park, Co. Tipperary
Kilkenny 3-18 Cork 2-10
On a bright and sunny afternoon in Fethard, Co. Tipperary, Kilkenny and Cork faced off in the Eir U16 All Ireland camogie semi-final, with a mild breeze favouring the Rebel County in the first half, as anticipation rippled through the expectant crowd. From the first whistle, both teams competed strongly for every ball and it was Kilkenny’s Ruby Mullins who struck first, sending over a precise point after just two minutes. Minutes later, Dearbhla Ryan at corner forward aimed for a point and was denied by Cork’s goalkeeper, Kayleigh Murphy, but Kate Dalton in the opposite corner fought through the scramble to fire home a crucial opening goal for Kilkenny. After hard work by Ryan, she followed this up with her first point of the game. Kilkenny’s Isabel Carroll and Rachel Murphy were working well together in the half back line but Cork responded well to Kilkenny’s opening dominance and moments later, Niamh O’Conner opened their scoring with a well taken point. Kilkenny replied to this with another point from the lively Kate Dalton. Cork were now settling into the game, registering two points from frees through full forward Ava Kenneally and a further two from the sharp shooting Niamh O’Connor. In addition to this, Cork’s goalkeeper was showing good confidence with a fantastic save from the lightning paced Rachael Duff at wing forward. In the 26th minute, Noa Bambrick pointed a free for her opening score and one minute later, Kilkenny had their second goal! Mid fielder, Rebecca Smith picked out the advancing Rachael Duff, who handed the ball to Kate Dalton who in turn passed it to Maebh Kenny for an excellent taken goal into the top corner of the net. Cork responded quickly with a point from Lauren McAuliffe but Kilkenny finished the half with three unanswered points from Rachael Duff and two from player of the match, Dearbhla Ryan.
Half time score: Kilkenny 2-7 Cork 0-6
Substitutions for Cork at half time: Aoife White came on for Alanah Murphy and Isabelle O’ Callaghan replaced Ailbhe Byerley. Similar to the first half, the opening minutes of the second half were a battle between both teams but it was Cork who opened the scoring with a point from the energetic Niamh O’Connor. Kilkenny’s Dearbhla Ryan replied with a neatly taken point after Ciara Joyce in defence cleared an excellent ball to Noa Bambrick who picked out Ryan. Bambrick herself followed this up with a well taken free. Kilkenny then made two substitutions with Sophie McCabe replacing Noa Bambrick and Holly Drennan coming on for Saidhbh Farrell. Cork also introduced Ellie Cafferkey for Kate O’Mahony. Cork’s reaction to Kilkenny’s early points was immediate. In the 39th minute, Cork substitute Aoife White made a huge impact with a well taken goal and Niamh O’Connor followed this up with another accurate point. White wasn’t finished and slotted over another point for the Cork team, in the 45th minute. However, after this impressive play from the Cork side, Kilkenny began to take over dominance, with their backs absorbing relentless pressure and putting in a solid defensive performance. Robyn Corcoran at full back was steady and accurate, clearing the ball with confidence and both corner backs, Sinead Cash and Ciara Joyce supported this wonderful work. Centre back, Rachel Murphy added to Kilkenny’s scoring with a well taken point from a free and Kate Dalton added another point, now playing at centre forward. Shortly after this impressive passage of play, Leyla Ahern replaced Meabh Kenny. Kilkenny’s Dearbhla Ryan took over the free taking duties and slotted over 2 points from the placed ball, while Rachael Duff added another point to increase Kilkenny’s tally. Kilkenny’s forwards were attacking with every ball and as K. Dalton’s shot at goal was blocked by Kayleigh Murphy in the Cork goal, the ball rebounded to the alert Sophie McCabe who batted it into the back of the net. Cork responded with a point from the hard working Niamh O’Connor but Kilkenny were well in control and sensed the win was in sight. Further substitutions for Kilkenny saw Katie Mulcahy replace Isabel Carroll and Elizabeth Sida come in for Amy Walsh. Cork replaced Niamh O’Connor with Chiara Leahy and Liadh Sheehan came on for Eabha Lynch. Kilkenny finished off the game with 4 excellent points from Dearbhla Ryan (free), Leyla Ahern, Rachael Duff and the hardworking corner back, Ciara Joyce. Cork added a consolation goal in the final minute from a free taken by Ava Kenneally, but it was to be Kilkenny’s day and this group of girls now progress on to an All-Ireland final in two weeks’ time against Galway, who overcame Tipperary by 4 points after extra time in the other semi-final.
Kilkenny team: Heidi Culleton, Sinead Cash, Robyn Corcoran, Ciara Joyce (C)(0-1), Saidhbh Farrell, Rachel Murphy (0-1 f), Isabel Carroll, Amy Walsh, Rebecca Smith, Rachael Duff (0-3), Noa Bambrick (0-2 f), Ruby Mullins (0-1), Kate Dalton (1-2), Meabh Kenny (1-0), Dearbhla Ryan (0-7, 0-3f).
Subs: Alice Maher, Elizabeth Sida, Katie Mulcahy, Sophie McCabe (1-0), Leyla Ahern (0-1), Megan Harding, Holly Drennan, Roisin Gibbons, Katie Harnett, Sarah Buggy, Molly Ryan, Amy Hughes, Clea Whelan.
Cork team: Kayleigh Murphy, Emma Dennehy, Ali McCarthy (C), Abby Keane, Saidhbhin Ni Lionsigh, Evelyn Ryan, Amy Walsh, Eabha Lynch, Kate O’Mahony, Simone Fitzgearld, Niamh O’Connor (0-6), Lauren McAuliffe (0-1), Alanah Murphy, Ava Kenneally (1-2 f), Ailbhe Byerley.
Subs: Faye Buckley, Urszula Berbecka, Liadh Sheehan, Aisling Ryan, Lara Daly, Aoife White (1-1), Clodagh White, Kitty O’Mahony, Saoirse Gilmore, Orla O’Brien, Aine Coughlan, Ellie Cafferkey, Isabelle O’Callaghan, Chiara Leahy, Kayla O’Toole.
By PRO Wed 29th Apr
