05 August 2003 Cavan edge gallant Dubs out of All-Ireland final Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Cavan edge gallant Dubs out of All-Ireland Final. How often have we heard the old cliché, “No one can predict how it will go on the day”. Well, if preparation were the only ingredient to ensure success, Dublin, certainly had completed the course with flying colours. Manager, John Hillery, contesting Dublin’s third consecutive under-age All-Ireland Ladies Semi-Final knows all about the tensions and pressures at this level. Training twice weekly from last September, organising numerous challenge matches, dominant throughout the Leinster campaign, triumphant in their third consecutive Leinster Final. One could have been excused for giving short odds in favour of Dublin disposing of Cavan and earning their place in the 2003 All-Ireland U-16 Ladies Football Final. Both contesting teams, Cavan and Dublin were anxiously awaiting their Final in, what many commentators had predicted, with convincing certainty, would inevitably be against Cork, but that speculation too was wide of the mark as was demonstrated in the Connaught-Munster Semi-Final where Galway (4-16) emerged triumphant over favourites, Cork (2-11). But this is football and following the textbook goes a long way, but you also need the bit of luck on your side on the day. The Royal County played host to this year’s All-Ireland U-16 Ladies Football Semi-Final between its two adjacent neighbours, Cavan and Dublin. The official Meath County grounds, Pairc Tailtean in Navan was the setting. A beautiful day, in ideal weather conditions with the pitch in magnificent condition. The stage was set as Referee, Gerry Guinan, (Galway) signalled the crowd’s attention for Amhrán na bhFiann. The game was under way. Dublin’s mid-field, Ciára Kilpatrick (Naomh Olaf) secured possession of the breaking ball from the throw-in and quickly distributed it to wing-forward, Grace O’Neill (Foxrock), whose attempt at placing it over the bar, resulted in the first wide of the game. Dublin’s Goalkeeper, Lynsey Flood (Castleknock), subsequent kick-out was intercepted by the Cavan half-forwards, who set up the first their scoring opportunity, three minutes into the game. The subsequent Cavan effort from, Centre Half-Forward, Emma Clarke (Knockbride) resulted in a wide, 3 minutes into play. Both teams were still anxious and needed to settle down. A minute later, Cavan’s full-forward, Bronagh Sheridan (Erne Gaels), scored the opening point of the game. Cavan secured possession from the subsequent kick-out, this time it was Kathleen Lynch (Gowna) who, as an early substitute for mid-field, Ailish Cronyn (Drumkeeran), scored Cavan’s second point. A Cavan challenge on Dublin’s wing-back, Andrea Bowe (Round Tower) resulted in a free which created Dublin’s first score on the board, seven minutes into play, with an excellent point by corner-forward, Lorna Hillery (Castleknock). The reply came swiftly from Cavan’s corner forward, Aisling Traynor (Knockbride) followed by a series of successive points from her club-mate, centre half-forward, Emma Clarke, the pair scoring between them a total of six points without reply. In the midst of this scoring run, mid-field, Ashling Doonan (Templeport) added a point to the Cavan tally. On form, Emma Clarke, found the back of the Dublin net with the help of the posts, sixteen minutes into the game. At this point, things did not appear very encouraging for Dublin, a goal and eight points down. Dublin made a substitution with Lynn Dowling (Parnells) replacing Lynsey Flood (Castleknock) in goals. 18 minutes into the game, with Cavan now dominating play, and Dublin having only one wide up to the thirteenth minute, Dublin lifted their spirits when Lorna Hillery engineered a superb pass to Sinéad Tucker (Round Tower) securing Dublin’s first goal. Lorna Hillery followed with two further points. At this stage, Dublin was making inroads and began to erode away the deficit. But Cavan, dominant in the first half, were determined, and secured 3 further points, one from full-forward, Bronagh Sheridan (Erne Gaels) and 2 from wing-forward, Aisling Traynor (Knockbride). There was relief in the Dublin camp when the half-time whistle was blown. Half-time score: Dublin: 1-3; Cavan: 1-12 Carrying a 9 point deficit as play resumed, Dublin, recharged by a passionately motivated and inspirational half-time team talk, emerged with renewed enthusiasm and determination to succeed. Within the first minute of resumed play, Dublin’s, wing forward, Orla Cotter (Naomh Olaf) put the ball over the bar. In reply, corner-forward, Catriona Smith (Lavey) secured a point for Cavan. Dublin’s Lorna Hillery was on form, scoring two points from difficult angles, off her left boot. This was the start of Dublin’s heroic comeback. Dublin brought on fresh legs with, Natasha Barnwall (Fingal Ravens) replacing Grace O’Neill (Foxrock) and Anna Conlan (Kilmacud Crokes) replacing her Club colleague and, Dublin team Captain, Caoilfhionn Ní Leidhin in mid-field. Once again, Lorna Hillery set up centre-half forward, Sinéad Tucker (Round Tower) to score a magnificent goal, nine minutes into the second period. Two minutes later Lorna again glided the ball, 35 yards out from the wing, over the cross-bar. There appeared to be a reversal of fortune as Cavan failed to score for a 20 minute period as Dublin played catch-up. Dublin’s, Sinéad Finnegan (Fingallians) made a dramatic advance from her centre-half back position to register another point for the Dubs. The game was now 22 minutes into the second half, with Cavan confined to a single point. The turning point of the game came when Dublin’s, Ciára Kilpatrick, (Naomh Olaf) gained possession of the ball from her midfield position and progressed it up Lorna Hillery, whose deceptive movement, sent the Cavan defence to the right wing, thereby opening up the free space on the left in front of Sinéad Tucker (Round Tower), who blasted it into the back of the Cavan net. For a fleeting moment both sides were almost level. At this point, Cavan substituted Julieanne Brady (Mullahoran) for wing-forward, Nicola O’Dwyer (Lurgan). The Cavan reply was swift and deadly in its accuracy and, from 20 yards in front of the Dublin posts; a powerful goal was delivered by Ashling Doonan (Templeport) into the back of the Dublin net. At this stag, time was ticking away relentlessly. With six minutes remaining on the clock and Cavan 3 points ahead, the Dublin spirit remained unvanquished, as the gallant Dubs kept forging ahead, securing possession to score yet another point. The reply came from Cavan’s mid-field, Ailish Cronyn (Drumkeeran), followed by a point from the Cavan centre half-forward, Emma Clarke (Knockbride). With Cavan now in the lead by four points, it was imperative Dublin secure a goal. Cavan’s tactical decision to defend their lead in the dying minutes of the game and with Dublin reeling from the killer goal a few moments earlier, it was not surprising Dublin’s goal hat-trick scoring machine, Sinéad Tucker (Round Tower) was swarmed out by a resolute Cavan defence, with victory within their sights. But, Dublin, with their “never say die” attitude, witnessed yet another slick decoy by Lorna Hillery, to shake off the Cavan defence which had encircled Tucker, made an heroic, yet desperate, attempt to score the equalising goal, to force extra time. The best Dublin could do was to secure a point. Sinéad delivered. A proud and honourable effort – from a gallant Dublin side. But on this occasion, time ran out. Cavan won by the goal. They proudly go to meet Galway in the All-Ireland U-16 Ladies Final on Saturday 23rd August. The upset and disappointment etched on the tearful faces of the Dublin players told the sad tale of what for some of them had become their third consecutive All-Ireland Semi-Final defeat. But one often learns more from a defeat than a win. This is a formidable Dublin side, who, had it been another day, would have beaten Cavan as they demonstrated in a challenge match back on St. Patrick’s weekend. But that’s football! And, if nothing else, they provided the large crowd in attendance with a spectacular game of football. Pride of place goes to the outstanding efforts of Dublin’s midfield, Ciára Kilpatrick (Naomh Olaf); Sinéad Tucker (Round Tower) and, Lorna Hillery (Castleknock). Following the game, Cepta Traynor and Eamonn Lynch, on behalf of the Cavan management, revealed they had been training intensively all year but conceded that this was the toughest opposition they had encountered and the most sporting game they ever had, played with great skill, passion and determination. Sentiments conveyed by the Fintan Tierney, Chairman of the Cavan County Board, who acknowledged the skill of the Dublin players. Beidh lá éile ag Átha Cliath, le cunamh Dé. Full-time score: Cavan: 2-16 (22 pts.); Dublin: 3-10 (19 pts.) Dublin Scores: Sinéad Tucker (Round Tower): 3-1; Lorna Hillery (Castleknock): 0-7; Orla Cotter (Naomh Olaf): 0-1; Sinéad Finnegan (Fingallians): 0-1. Cavan Scores: Emma Clarke (Knockbride):1-5; Aisling Traynor (Knockbride):0-5; Ashling Doonan (Templeport):1-2; Bronagh Sheridan (Erne Gaels): 0-2; Ailish Cronyn (Drumkeeran): 0-1; Catriona Smith (Lavey): 0-1. Wides: Cavan: 9 Dublin: 6 Frees: Cavan: 16 Dublin: 11 45’s: Cavan: 1 Dublin: 1 Dublin U-16 Ladies Panel (1) Lynsey Flood (Castleknock) (2) Siobhan McGrath (Thomas Davis) (3) Aoife Greene (Fingallian’s) (4) Aoife Kilkenny (St. Brigid’s) (5) Andrea Bowe (Round Tower) (6) Sinéad Finnegan (Fingallian’s) (7) Karen Hudson (Fingallian’s) (8) Caoilfhionn Ní Leidhin (Kilmacud Crokes) (9) Ciára Kilpatrick (Naomh Olaf) (10) Michelle Dunne (St. Brigid’s) (11) Lorna Hillery (Castleknock) (12) Grace O’Neill (Foxrock) (13) Amy McGuinness (Fingallian’s) (14) Kathy Whyte (Naomh Olaf) (15) Natasha Barnwall (Fingal Ravens) (16) Anna Conlan (Kilmacud Crokes) (17) Hannah Coen (Naomh Olaf) (18) Orla Vallely (Cabinteely) (19) Laura Walsh (Kilmacud Crokes) (20) Orla Cotter (Naomh Olaf) (21) Lynn Dowling (Parnells) (22) Adrienne Moore (Man-O-War) (23) Karina Connolly (Round Tower) (24) Jennifer Cook (Fingallian’s) (25) Catherine Cotter (Naomh Olaf) (26) Fiona Merriman (Kilmacud Crokes) (27) Aimee Molloy (St. Brigid’s) (28) Orla Sadlier (Fingallian’s) (29) Sinéad Tucker (Round Tower) (30) Clodagh Fitzgerald (Kilmacud Crokes) (31) Aisling Kelly (Kilmacud Crokes) (32) Emma Bates (Castleknock) Dublin U-16 Management Team John V Hillery (Castleknock) Team Manager Gerry Greene (Fingallian’s) Coach/Selector Padraig Kelly (Kilmacud Crokes) Coach/Selector Camillus Kilpatrick (Naomh Olaf) Coach/Selector Mary McGuinness (Fingallian’s) Coach/Selector Pathway to the Leinster Final. Leinster Championship 2003 22-02-03 Dublin (4-10) v Wexford (1-01) 08-03-03 Dublin (4-09) v Meath (2-10) 15-03-03 Dublin (1-13) v Laois (0-09) 05-04-03 Kildare (1-10) v Dublin (2-06) 2003 Leinster U-16 Semi-Final 03-05-03 Dublin (2-08) v Kildare (1-04) 2003 Leinster U-16 Final 24-05-03 Dublin (2-10) v Meath (2-08) 2003 All-Ireland U-16 Semi-Final 02-08-03 Cavan (2-16) v Dublin (3-10) Cavan U-16 Ladies Panel: (1) Aideen Duff (Killinkere) (2) Niamh Smith (Cuchuillians) (3) Clodagh Doonan (Templeport) (4) Edel Gaffney (Lurgan) (5) Elaine O’Reilly (Ballyhaise) (6) Patricia Lynch (Gowna) (7) Joanne Moore (Lacken) (8) Ashling Doonan (Templeport) (9) Ailish Cronyn (Drumkeeran) (10) Nicola O’Dwyer (Lurgan) (11) Emma Clarke (Knockbride) (12) Ashling Traynor (Knockbride) (13) Roisin O’Keeffe (Lacken) (14) Bronagh Sheridan (Erin Gaels) (15) Catriona Smith (Lavey) (16) Laura Walsh (Lavey) (17) Julieanne Brady (Mullahoran) (18) Kathleen Lynch (Gowna) (19) Christine McCutcheon(Cootehill) (20) Nicole Sheanon (Lacken) (21) Kerrie Smith (Castlerahan/Denin) (22) Laura Shaughnessy (Kilgarry) (23) Bronagh Boyle (Erin Gaels) (24) Claire O’Brien (Cootehill) (25) Erinn Galligan (Lacken) Report compiled by: John V Hillery (Dublin Team Manager) 02-08-2003. 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