Birr host Minor and U-14 All-Ireland finals

Birr hosts Minor and Under 14 Finals. – Dublin and Cork fancied


Laois to start underdogs against a strong Dublin team

Birr, Co Offaly is the place to be on Saturday when the Minor and
under 14 Finals are down for decision. Mayo take on Dublin in the
under 14 final at 1.30 while the holders Cork line out against Laois
at 3pm in the minor Final Despite the fact that Mayo defeated Cork
who had won the title for the 4 previous years they will start underdogs
against Dublin.

Dublin have been making steady progress and were unlucky to lose
to Cork in last years Semi-final which well known Kerry official
Mick Fitzgerald described as one of the best games he had ever seen.
He should know having been involved with Kerry in the 9 Senior championship
wins.

Dublin led by Fiona Hudson who starred with the under 16’s have
a very strong and balanced team with players like Sinead O’Mahony,
Amy Connolly, Deborah Geraghty and Arlene Cushen aim to bring the
tile to the capital.

Mayo having lost to Cork last year will be anxious to get their
name on the trophy, they displayed skill and strength in the Semi
final win over Cork. They have an excellent keeper in Fiona McLaughlin
and are strong right down the middle with Rebecca Clarke at fullback
and Center back Kathyrn at the hub of everything. Yvonne Gilroy
and Clodagh Commiskey are hard workers at midfield, while Laura
Hutton and top scorer Lisa Cafferky will cause major problems up
front.
A great game is in prospect.

Cork favorites to retain their minor crown.

Cork are favorites to retain their Minor crown. A few of their top
players picked up injuries with the majority of the squad engaged
with Cork Juniors and Seniors against Kerry on Monday evening last.
Cork include 20 of last years panel and most interestingly have
14 of the starting 15 that lined up against Mayo in the under 14
final of 2,000.

Every one of the starting team on Saturday has Senior experience
and that should stand to them. Laios are a Co with a fine footballing
tradition and as they showed against Donegal they have lively forwards
who bagged 5 goals in the 2nd half. Form can be notoriously fickle
at under age level and Laois with their proud tradition will put
it up to Cork.

Cassie Dunne is their solid keeper with Mags McEvoy captaining the
side from fullback. Aoife Donoghue mans the pivotal berth, Patrice
Deffew and Catriona Fogarty are fine midfields and they will looking
to Noirin and Martha Kirwin, Lisa Dunne and Mary Reilly to get the
necessary scores for them.

Cork were ruthless against Galway in their Semi final with Brid
Stack and imposing fullback a strong half line of Rena Buckley,
Laura Power and Niamh Keohane have huge experience, Norita Kelly
and Geraldine O’Flynn have been together at midfield for the 5th
year in a row.

Up front Briege Corkery capt, Sile Burns and Amanda Murphy who incredibly
will be aiming to pick up her 7th underage All-Ireland in 5 years
at 15, will keep the Laois defense on their toes. As manager of
the Cork team I have to keep focused on my job and hope it’s a good
open and exciting game with victory going to the best team on the
day.

Fr. Liam Kelleher.