Limerick Girls Make History

G22Q2098

 

The Limerick Under 14 Team created history when they captured Limerick’s first ever underage All Ireland Title.  The girls were well prepared for the final, having accounted for Tipperary in the Munster Final and Derry in the All Ireland semi-final.  They knew a stiffer challenge lay ahead in the All Ireland Final.  In their previous meeting, Limerick had beaten Louth in the All Ireland Blitz Final, with little or nothing between the teams.

 

The final was played in ideal conditions, in the excellent Crettyard GAA Pitch in Laois on Sunday, 20 July.  From the throw in both sides were eager to settle into the game, but it was Louth who settled quicker, scoring their first point in the second minute, followed up by four more excellent long range points.  After a very nervous start and some missed opportunities, Limerick registered their first score in the twelfth minute with a superb goal by Ciara Clancy.  Louth responded scoring two points from frees and a goal.  Limerick’s Sinead Callinan responded with an excellent point and Captain Lauren Ryan, tagged on three more points (one from a free). Limerick had pegged back the game to leave just three points between the sides, but Louth hit another scoring patch, scoring a goal and three points to leave the half time score: Louth 2-9 to Limerick’s 1-4.

 

Limerick weren’t unduly worried and knew the character of this team, that they would up their game in the second half.  Limerick introduced Orla Regan for Sive O’Halloran at half time.  Louth started the second half scoring two quick points, to go ten points ahead, but Limerick started their revival and dominated in every position. Limerick’s Laura O’Shaughnessy started the revival with a point in the fifth minute, followed up by further points from Captain Lauren Ryan (eight minute) and Orla Regan in the tenth minute.  Limerick’s Andrea O’Sullivan, won the resultant kick out and made a brilliant run, only to be taken down in the box and Limerick were rewarded with a penalty, which Laura O’Shaughnessy cooled stood up and blasted to the net.  Limerick were flying and had further scores from Lauren Ryan (fifteenth minute) and a long range point from corner back Ciara Ryan (eighteenth minute), Eimear Kirby (twentieth minute) and a great goal from midfielder Roisin Ambrose (twenty-first minute) and a point from Andrea O’Sullivan (twenty-second minute), Limerick had now taken the lead and were playing exhibition football, displaying an array of skills in defending, combing great team work and resulting in excellent scores. Lauren Ryan kicked a great point in the (twenty-fourth minute) and a goal from Ciara Clancy (twenty-fifth minute), Louth responded against the run of play with a  goal (twenty-seventh minute).  Limerick introduced: Noirin Lenihan and Emma Conway for Sinead Callinan and Eimear Kirby, during the second half. Once Limerick hit the front they never looked back and went on to secure their first All Ireland Underage Title:  Final Score: Limerick 4-12 to Louth’s 3-11.  Our thanks to Louth for a very sporting game, to the Referee and Match Officials and to Crettyard GAA for the use of their excellent pitch and facilities.

 

After the Match, Limerick Captain: Lauren Ryan accepted the Cup on behalf of the team, to scenes of joy and celebration all around the Crettyard. 

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