Dublin V Kilkenny U16 Eir Championship

Even though it was a bright sunny day out in Round Towers Lusk, there was still a decent breeze blowing from the clubhouse end of the pitch.

Kilkenny started with the breeze at their backs and got the first point of the game in the first minute but Dublin knew that this was their last chance to progress and pushed back in the best possible way with a goal that came in the 3rd minute.

Even though the Kilkenny goalkeeper did manage to keep the ball out of the net, the umpires were in no doubt that the ball had crossed the line. To be fair to Kilkenny, they did not argue with the decision. Despite this early shock Kilkenny were not rattled and started to settle into the game. This was helped by their first goal of the game in the 10th minute and they followed that with 4 points more to lead by 6.

Then, just as it was looking that Dublin would hold out until half time Kilkenny netted for the second time.

One thing that can be said about these Dublin girls is that they never stop trying and right on 30mins they hit back with a goal of their own which was flicked to the net.

Half Time Score:

Dublin 2-02 Kilkenny 2-08

In the second half and with the breeze at their back Dublin pushed hard to close the 6 point gap. There was some lovely open play as gaps started to appear in both half back lines.

This was a really fast entertaining game with not a lot between the teams. The openess of the second half seemed to work to Kilkenny’s advantage. Perhaps the difference was that while Dublin had to work the ball in close to goal in the first half against the breeze in order to get their scores, Kilkenny seemed to have the striking power against the breeze to register points from further out.

Dublin battled right to the end and deserve lots of credit for their attitude.

This result unfortunately brings an end to their All Ireland championship but with a win against Limerick and fine displays against Tipperary and also today, the team and management can be proud of their efforts.

Final score Dublin 2-08 Kilkenny 2-13