Louth win All-Ireland U-14 Blitz

Louth u14’s, captained by Bronagh McGrane successfully
beat off the challenges of Carlow, Longford, Wicklow
and finally Offaly to come out well deserved winners
of the Comhairle Laighean Cumann Peil na mBan U14
Blitz in Carlow on 14th August last.

Here’s how it all happened………………

Louth’s first game was against Carlow and even though
the Louth girls got off to a slow start, it was
level with a score of 1-2 each at half time. Louth
came out with all guns blazing in the second half
to successfully see of the challenge of the home
side by 1-10 to 1-2 at the end of the game.

The second match against Longford saw Louth go on
a goal scoring spree leaving no scope for Longford
to win this match. Louth were winners by 7-3 to
1-1, providing one of their most outstanding performances
to date.

Louth’s third match was against Wicklow and the
Louth girls were starting to get tired with two
games behind them and with scorching weather conditions
it looked like Louth were about to lose the match
as the half time score was Wicklow 2-3 to Louth
1-1. The Louth girls started better in the second
half by scoring four points to only a one point
reply from Wicklow. Time was running out for the
Louth girls with one minute to go when Michelle
McMahon won possession and gave a brilliant pass
to Gillian McDonnell who shot past the Wicklow goalie
for Louth to win the match by a point.

So it was into the final for Louth and Offaly as
both teams emerged with similar points after playing
three games Offaly looked a strong team and they
had won all their matches comfortably so this was
going to be a tough match for the girls from the
wee County. However, Louth were once again doing
their mentors proud and got off to a flying start
by scoring three goals by Gillian McDonnell leaving
the half time score at Louth 3-0 to Offaly 0-1.

Louth once again started the second half in high
spirits and were determined not to walk away defeated
so they scored three goals again in the second half,
one from Gillian McDonnell, Clare McCann and Michelle
McMahon. Points came from Aoife Byrne and Clare
McCann, with Offaly only securing a goal and a point
in the second half. It was a well deserved victory
for the Louth girls who played their hearts out
and wore their jerseys with pride. Congratulations
to the full panel of girls who gave it their all
to win this competition and it is well deserved
after all the hard work they put in this year.

Louth Panel: Anna Clarke, Orla O’ Neill, Dearbhaile
Sheils, Grainne Mackin, Amanda McQuillan, Therese
McCann, Lauren Kieran, Bronagh McGrane ( Captain),
Aoife Byrne, Marie C. Fahy, Michelle O’Hagan, Michelle
McMahon, Clare McCann, Coaimhe Breen, Gillian McDonnell,
Jacqueline Grills, Terri Englishby, Lizzie Butterly,
Katie Raftery, Yvonne Brennan, Elizabeth McDonnell,
Aoife Quigley, Sharyn McCartin, Kate Healy, Sarah
Hamill. Sarah Donnelly, Grainne Finnegan
Mentors: Gerry Callan, Harry Brennan, Davy
Sheils and Gabrielle Clarke