Cork tipped to retain U-16 All-Ireland Crown

All-Ireland Under 16 Preview

SATURDAY
U16 All-Ireland Final Cork V Dublin Cashel, 2pm

They say revenge is sweet, but in the world of ladies football,
it’s sweeter when you beat the Rebels. This goes without saying
for tomorrows U16 All-Ireland final in Cashel, when the present
champions Cork go in search of back to back titles.

The rivalry between the capital, and the capital of culture was
evident in the 2004 semi-final, a battle Cork were lucky to have
won. However captain Vicki Power believes revenge doesn’t come
into the equation for the Leinster champions.

“It’s not about revenge. Their aim is to win the title and
like us they’re fired up for that and nothing else. We‚re just
focusing on what’s to be done, not what happened last year. We’re
not taking any thing for granted. Dublin are an exceptional side
and they’ve come on so much at every level in the last few years”.

The 15 year old Scoil Phobail Bheara student hit the nail on the
head. Dublin didn’t sit around licking their wounds – their back
for a second bite of the cherry. A member of last years panel,
Vicki is only too familiar with Dublin’s style of play and at
full back its her duty.

“They’re extremely fit but more so they’re very good footballers.
They move the ball fast and are capable of doing damage but I
know Cork have the experience to come to grips with it. In the
semi-final we played Monaghan who have a similar game and that
has helped us prepare”.

Vicki is steeped in a strong tradition of ladies football, with mother Mary involved in the County Board for a number of years and sisters, Susan (23) and Laura (17) also playing intercounty. There‚s no one more committed to the game than the Power’s, who clock up hundreds of miles a week, just to train. And preparations are going to plan.  “We’ve improved little by little with each game and we‚ll be at our best on Saturday. Commitment has been great since November and I’ve no doubt the girls can do it if we all have the same attitude”. With 10 All-Ireland medals and 14 Munster medals already pocketed, Vicki Power is an exceptional talent and many forget she’s just 15 years old. As the last line of defence, Vicki isn’t bothered to know who she’s marking in Cashel. “I have no idea who I’ll be on and it doesn’t make a difference. Once I am prepared for the match and in the right frame of mind, that’s what matters”. It’s anyone’s for the taking but listening to Vicki Power, one knows Cork will do it.

Verdict: Cork

Vicki receiving the Munster U-16 Crown from Munster Chairman Dan O Mahoney