Report: Mayo prove too strong for Laois in All-Ireland U16 B Final

All Ireland U16 B Final

Mayo 11-14
Laois 1-05

From Aisling Clery at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe

A sharp and clinical performance saw Mayo crowned All Ireland U16 B Champions for 2018, their first since 2010. Mayo led from the get-go with a stunning team performance. Unrelenting pressure on the Laois rearguard made it difficult for the O’Moore County to get a foothold in the game.

Mayo scored an incredible eleven goals in total, the first eight coming in the opening half, two each from Louise Dowling, Ava Lambert, Leah Johnston and one each from Ciara Needham and Captain Tara Needham. Leah Johnston’s goals were put away with aplomb, both in the space of two minutes. However, absolute credit must go to the Laois keeper, Nadine Dempsey who made a string of impressive saves, including one to deny Louise Dowling. While Mayo did get the scoring plaudits, the Laois defence worked hard, wing backs Ciara Needham and Anna Lyons showing well for Mná Laoise. At half time though, Mayo had a convincing 8-05 to 0-02 lead.

Undoubtedly, Laois had a mountain to climb in the second half and three points from the boot of Lisa Keane kept the scoreboard ticking for the O’Moore County women. However, Mayo continued their scoring prowess with Tara Needham, Louise Dowling and substitute Ciara Middleton all raising green flags. There was some consolation for Laois five minutes from time as substitute Orla Knowles buried the ball in the back of the Mayo net. However, it was too little too late and great scenes of celebration erupted as the referee blew the full-time whistle.

Mayo’s Leah Johnston claimed the player of the match award.

Mayo scorers: Tara Needham 2-4 (0-1f), Louise Dowling 3-1, Ava Lambert 2-2, Leah Johnston 2-1, Ciara Needham & Ciara Middleton 1-1 each, Aoife Kennedy, Erin Murray, Jennifer Cawley & Maria Cannon 0-1 each.

Laois Scorers: Lisa Keane 0-4, Orla Knowles 1-0, Emily Lacey 0-1.

MAYO: Abbiegayle Ronayne; Saoirse Lally, Áine Moffatt, Sherin El Massey; Ciara Needham, Aoife Geraghty, Anna Lyons; Erin Murray, Jennifer Cawley; Aoife Kennedy, Louise Dowling, Leah Johnston; Finola Collins, Ava Lambert, Tara Needham.

Subs: Ciara Middleton for Finola Collins (HT), Maria Cannon for Dowling (47), Anita Mahon for Lyons (50), Katie Melvin for El Massey (52), Rachel Beale for Lambert (55)

LAOIS: Nadine Dempsey; Leah Kelly, Sinéad Farrelly, Georgina Donovan; Grace Salmon, Sarah Larkin, Julia Cahill; Aishling Fitzpatrick, Jenny Murphy; Emily Lacey, Leah Tarpey, Orla Hennessy; Lisa Keane, Della Doherty, Gráinne Lalor.

Sub: Danielle Forbes for Donovan (21), Anna Lalor for Dempsey (HT), Kelly O’Neill for Lacey (35), Aoife Gallagher for Lalor (40), Orla Knowles for Tarpey (44)

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway)