Goals proved crucial as Dublin claimed their first win of this seasons Leinster U16A Championship
Dublin 3-05
Offaly 0-06
Dublin secured their first win of the Leinster U16A Camogie Championship this afternoon in TUD Grangegorman beating Offaly by eight points.
As the old saying goes, goals win games and Dublin found the back of the net on three occasions during the course of the game to end the challenge of Offaly.
The first goal proved crucial, Dublin began the game a little tentative and took a little while to settle into the contest, but the momentum swung their way when Orla Keighran’s free from the left hand side of the pitch about forty five metres out eluded everyone and nestled in the net.
A second goal at the start of the second half gave Dublin an eight point cushion and despite a rally from Offaly late in the game Dublin held firm and added a third goal in the final minute of the game to secure the win.
Offaly began the game brightly and points from play from Saoirse Liffey and Aine Rigney and a successful 45’ from Kate Pilkington put them three in front by the twelfth minute.
Dublin settled into the match and Charlie Murphy swung over a fine point to get the Dubs off the mark. Murphy added a second point in the twenty first minute to leave the bare minimum between the sides.
A minute later and Dublin were awarded a free about forty five metres out on the left hand side of the pitch, Orla Keighran made a perfect connection with the free and it arrowed towards the Offaly goal, a number of players from both sides jumped for the ball but it evaded them all and flew into the net to give Dublin the lead for the first time in the game.
The young Dubs with their tails now up added three more points before the break, two from Charlie Murphy and the other from goal scorer Keighran to give Dublin a five point lead at halftime with the score 1-05 to 0-03.
Four minutes after the restart the Dublin lead was stretched to eight points thanks to an excellent finish to the net from Niadh Mooney.
Offaly responded with the next three points all from placed balls, a converted free from Niamh Sheedy and two 45’ from Kate Pilkington.
But Dublin made sure of the win in the final minute of what was an entertaining contest with their third goal of the game from Niadh Mooney who grabbed her second three pointer of the half.
Scorers – Dublin – Niadh Mooney 2-00, Charlie Murphy 0-4 (1f), Orla Keighran 1-01 (1-00f)
Offaly – Kate Pilkington 0-03 (3f), Saoirse Liffey 0-01, Aine Rigney 0-01, Niamh Sheedy 0-01 (1f).
Dublin: Madeline Roe, Seodha O’Riain, Ella Walsh, Maebh Bolger, Eile Caffrey, Sadhbh Ní Bhuachalla, Aoife Kane, Orla Keighran, Chloe O’Shea, Mae Duignan, Rachel Johnson, Charlie Murphy, Niadh Mooney, Éabha Gannon, Davina Strumble.
Subs: Ciara Kelleher for Davina Strumble (HT), Charlene Sone Lenou for Seodha O’Riain (58).
Offaly: Sorcha Troy, Sinead Gleeson, Sarah O’Rourke, Elli Lawlor, Caitlin Kennedy, Karla Mannion, Ali Wynne, Kate Pilkington, Kayla Lawlor, Niamh Daly, Aine Rigney, Saoirse Liffey, Grace Cleary, Aideen Quinn, Niamh Sheedy.
Subs: Emily Walsh for Ali Wynne (33), Gillian Loughnane for Saoirse Liffey (42), Moya Guinan for Grace Cleary (46).
