Dublin Match Report from U14 All Ireland Final

Dublin Bravehearts Not Enough On The Day.

Dublin 3-5 Cork 5-12

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The season ended in disappointment at Birr for this brave and talented squad of Dublin players who gave their all throughout the year and especially in the final against an outstanding Cork side. The Leesiders came into this game as roaring hot favourites following a number of demolitions on the way but were given a severe test by this Dublin side before going in to cruise mode in the final quarter. The signs were ominous right from the throw-in as Cork came marauding in packs. Two minutes on the clock and Cork led by 1-1 to no score. The opening point came from Cork’s outstanding player on the day, full forward, Eimear Scally. One minute later and midfielder, Eirne Ni Dheasmhunaigh set up Leah McEvoy and her rasping shot hit the roof of the net despite the best efforts of Dublin goalkeeper, Shauna O Hara.Kate Leneghen should have goaled seconds later but O Hara denied her and likewise with Scally but the ball was scrambled to safety. The Dublin forward line were living off scraps but missed a great opportunity to score a goal in the ninth minute. Goalkeeper Cahill saved initially but the rebound was put wide from a narrow angle by Emma Byrne.

Amy Conroy opened Dublin’s account with a well-taken point in the tenth minute. One minute later captain, Emma Colgan went on a surging solo run right at the heart of the Cork defence and her high lobbing ball from thirty metres ended in the net off goalkeeper, Olivia Cahill’s fingers. Suddenly it was game on. The warning signs were there however, as Cork were stung into action. Scally was giving Lauren Magee a torrid time. O Hara made another good save from her as Cork seemed hell bent on going for goals. One goal and three points without reply in the space of three minutes had Cork leading by 2-4 to
1-1 after seventeen minutes. The goal was the culmination of a lovely flowing move that was finished superbly by Megan Connolly. Shortly after midfielder,
Kate Nyhan was substituted by Jennifer O Dell as the Dublin management sought to stem the tide. Dublin came with another surge in the final five minutes of
the half and points from Emma Byrne, Fiona Terry and a free by Megan Morrissey had closed the gap to four points at the interval with Cork leading by 2-5 to 1-4.

 

Dublin were first off the mark in the second half as Amy Conroy set up Megan Morrissey and she took her point well. Within one minute the wind was knocked out of Dublin sails again when Megan Connolly finished off a flowing move to give O Hara no chance. Immediately after Leneghen had an effort turned away
for a forty-five. Scally pointed a free which was responded to by Jennifer O Dell. In the ninth minute it looked curtains for Dublin when Scally was fouled
going through but Connolly’s penalty hit the post and Dublin’s defence somehow scrambled it clear. Dublin went straight down the pitch and a high ball in
over the Cork defence saw goalkeeper, Cahill come off her line to deal with the danger. She failed to gather possession and the breaking ball was driven
to the net by Amy Conroy. Suddenly we dared to dream. Eighteen minutes left and only one point between the sides, Cork leading by 3-6 to 3-5. As Dublin
continued their surge two good chances of points were wasted to at least draw level and Cork were off the hook. Two further points from Scally in the sixteenth and nineteenth minutes stretched the lead once again to three points. From here to the finish Dublin were pinned back in their own half only making an occasional foray downfield. A Kate Leneghen goal in the twenty-seventh minute was the nail in the coffin where Dublin were concerned. A further goal and two points in the five minutes of injury time put the icing on the cake for Cork as they finished worthy winners.

Dublin were always chasing this game. Too many handling errors especially in the first quarter allowed Cork gain possession at times when they shouldn’t. High balls were rarely contested as Cork gleaned an amount of possession here also. Despite the damp conditions Cork’s handling was top drawer. Too often clearances out of defence by Dublin went straight to a Cork player. The Dublin defence was under enormous pressure for periods as Cork’s half back line came
forward at every opportunity. Eimear Scally, though named at full forward played a wandering role and her runs led to other Cork players being freed up for scores. On a number of occasions she chose the wrong option and Dublin’s defence did the needful. Fiona Terry was Dublin’s stand out player on the day. She battled away all through and was ably supported by Emma Colgan and Niamh O Neill. Lauren Magee was much more comfortable in a centre- back role in the
second half. Sarah Deegan coped admirably throughout. Amy Conroy was the pick of the Dublin forwards on the day. Shauna O Hara played her part in keeping
Dublin in contention in the early stages. Even though defeat is hard to take the team lost giving their all.

Dublin – Shauna O Hara(Round Towers, Lusk), Niamh O Neill(St.Brigids), Lauren Magee(Kilmacud Crokes), Sarah Deegan(Fingallians), Katie Mahon(St. Judes), Ciara Crotty(Foxrock/Cabinteely), Hannah Hegarty(St. Judes), Katie Nyhan(St. Brigids), Fiona Terry(Clontarf), (0-1), Emma Colgan(St. Margarets), capt., (1-0), Megan Morrissey(Castleknock), (1-1, 0-1 free), Amy Conroy, Round Towers, Clondalkin), (1-1), Holly Greer(Kilmacud Crokes), Aoibheann Lynch(St.Brigids), Emma Byrne(Kilmacud Crokes), (0-1).
Subs – Jennifer O Dell( Templeogue/Synge Street), (0-1), for Katie Nyhan, Aoife Kane(Kilmacud Crokes) for Hannah Hegarty, EmmaBoyle(Castleknock) for Holly Greer, Zenouska Murphy(Ballyboden St.Endas) for Katie Mahon and Kate Murray(Naomh Olaf) for Aoibheann Lynch.

Cork – Olivia Cahill, Jessica Tonks, Evie Casey, capt., Eimear Meaney, Lisa Lynch, Coolin Hickey, Aisling Kelleher, Eirne Ni Dheasmhunaigh, Áine Cronin, Kate Leneghen, (2-2), Hannah Looney, (0-3), Leah McEvoy, (1-0), Megan Connolly, (2-0), Eimear Scally, (0-6, 0-4, frees), Ailbhe Dowling.

Subs – Cassie Tynan for Evie Casey, Kate O Keeffe for Áine Cronin and Aoife Murray, (0-1) for Leah McEvoy.

Referee – S. Regan, Roscommon.