REPORT: 9-goal Longford claim Leinster U16 B title

Leinster U16 B Final

Longford 9-10
Kildare 1-11

By Aisling Clery in Kinnegad

A Player of the Match performance from fiery forward Kamille Burke as well as a hat trick from centre forward Lauren McGuire ensured Longford victory against Kildare in the U16 B Final in Kinnegad on Wednesday evening. A purple patch for Paul McGuire’s troops in the run in up to half time gave them an eight point lead at the break and Longford didn’t look back in the second half as they pressed home their victory.

The sunshine ushered in a large crowd of supporters, and from the off it was end to end with the teams trading scores early on. In-form Holly Tyrell got proceedings underway before Lauren McGuire levelled the game. The Lillies were looking to score early on their opposition as Hayley Wiltshire split the posts again on the resumption. McGuire however levelled it once more before Kamille Burke pointed from a tight angle handing Longford a single score lead. It didn’t last long however as Kildare hit two unanswered points from Zoe Brierty and Tyrell to make it 0-04 to 0-03 midway through the half.

Kamille Burke was Player of the Match for Longford, and she’s pictured here receiving her award from Dominic Leech, Leinster LGFA President. 

The game was rocked though by the first of ten goals, as Molly Mulvihill was given space and the full forward made no mistake with the finish. Points from McGuire and Captain Grace Shannon pushed Longford into a four-point lead. Kildare brought it back to a two point game with points from Ella Hayes and Holly Tyrell, however Longford found two goals in a minute that turned the game on its head – Burke and Shannon raising a green flag each inside sixty seconds. Tyrell hit her third point of the half just before referee Leah Mullins brought the game to a half time break. Longford eight points to the good; 3-06 to 0-07.

Longford began the second half as they finished the first with Burke and Shannon raising white flags and Melissa O’Kane netting the first of two second half goals. To their credit, Kildare did not lie down and take their beating – they ran at the Longford defence and Longford netminder Riane McGrath and full back Teni Alaba were called on several occasions to clear their lines.

Several key interceptions from Lillies netminder Fiadh Whiteley were crucial as Kildare looked to get back into the contest. However, goals from Burke and McGuire (2) pushed Longford further in front and despite a huge effort, Kildare could not get back into contention. Kildare’s Eimear Hanlon did get through the Longford defence and found the net and while it raised Lillies supporters’ voices, it was only consolatory with Longford running out comfortable winners. Longford will now represent Leinster in the All Ireland U16 B semi-finals in a couple of weeks time.

Longford Scorers: Lauren McGuire (3-04, 1f), Kamille Burke (2-04), Melissa O’Kane (2-00), Grace Shannon (1-02, 1f), Molly Mulvihill (1-00).

Kildare Scorers: Eimear Hanlon (1-01), Holly Tyrell (0-04, 1f), Hayley Wiltshire (0-03), Hannah Davis, Ella Hayes, Zoe Brierty (0-01 each).

Longford: R McGrath, A Wilson, T Alaba, G Kenny, C McCormack, A Donnelly, L Shannon, G Shannon (C), M O’Kane, K McKeon, L McGuire, S Tully, K Burke, M Mulvihill, K Shannon.

Subs: Z Mulvihill for Kenny, K Gillen for McKeon, E Lynn for Tully, S Heaney for L Shannon, E McGuire for K Shannon.

Kildare: F Whiteley, J O’Toole, M Ures, F Grimes, E McAleenan, H Davis, Z Harris, E Hayes, E Devenney, H Tyrell, E Hanlon, N Mortell, E Prendergast, Z Brierty, H Wiltshire.

Subs: A Kilkenny for O’Toole, R Sargent for McAleenan, L Tsang for Prendergast, D Hodson for Devenny, A Archbold for Brierty.

Ref: Leah Mullins (Carlow)