Jackies U16 prove extra special

DUBLIN 6-12 GALWAY 4-13

(After extra-time)

Dublin booked their place in the 2014 U16 All-Ireland Ladies final following a pulsating extra time victory over Galway and will now play Cork on August 31 in a repeat of the 2013 final.

Despite the windy conditions the game was an enthralling contest from beginning to end with both teams playing a superb brand of attacking football while at the same time the standard of defending / tackling was exceptional.

Galway registered the first score of the game courtesy of half forward Claire Dunleavy but Dublin’s response was swift and precise with Niamh Carty finishing off an excellent Dublin move up the field with a superb shot that rattled the back of the Galway net.

Three minutes later Dublin got their second goal this time scored by centre forward Hannah O’Neill, her low shot deceiving Laura Hession in the Galway goal. Dublin tagged on a two further goals before the half time break with Billie Kate Huggard and Hannah O’Neill both raising the green flag for Ken Nyhan’s side. Galway where resilient and continually came at Dublin, their persistence paid off when powerful Galway full forward Leanne Coen pulled back a goal for Galway in the 30^th minute.

At the interval Dublin took a 6 point lead into the dressing room, Dublin 4-02 (14) Galway 1-05 (8) the Tribeswomen would have the advantage of a strong wind at their backs for the second half of the game.

Galway got the perfect restart as Coen once again broke through the Dublin defence and register her second goal reducing the Dublin lead to just 2 points.

Once again Dublin responded superbly when Rachel Douglas from the O’Tooles club found herself all alone on the edge of the Galway square and duly dispatched her shot past the Galway keeper, Dublin were now 5 up.

Both sides exchanged a number of points and by the 37^th minute Dublin had edged further ahead leading the game by 7. At this stage Galway started to come into the game more with Ellie Glynn and Niamh Daly starting too dominant at the heart of the Galway defence breaking down a number of Dublin attacks.

Galway hit the Dubs for a third goal in the 38^th minute when Siobhan Divilly blasted a shot past Dublin keeper Katie Ronan who had earlier denied Galway a certain score with a superb point blank save. Divilly’s goal seemed to inspire her team mates. Galway corner forward Eimear O’Kane gave an exhibition in free taking when she knocked over three superb long range frees to bring Galway within 2 points of the Leinster Champions.

The drama unfolded further in the 57^th minute when Divilly once again rocked the Dublin net her second goal pushing Galway into the lead with Dublin now having to go in search of an equaliser to keep their championship dreams alive.

So as the game drew to an exciting finale it was left to second half substitute Clara O’Sullivan to be Dublin’s heroine. In the 61^st minute the Naomh Olaf forward popped up to score the equalising point, 5-7 to 4-10, and send this enthralling semi final into extra-time.

Galway where first to register a score when Amy Mee tagged on a point giving the Tribeswomen a narrow lead however the turning point in the game came in the 66^th minute when super sub O’Sullivan was deemed to be pulled back in the small square.

Roscommon official Francie Keane awarded the Blues a penalty.

Dublin captain Erica Byrne who is also an Irish International soccer player converted the penalty kick with some aplomb regaining the lead for her side.

Dublin pushed on with points coming from Byrne (free), Clare McGrath, Jade Sweeney Knot giving Dublin a 5 point cushion at the break. Half time in extra time Dublin 6-10 (28) Galway 4-11 (23).

In the second period of extra time the wind appeared to be taken out of the Galway sails as the Tribeswomen failed to get back up to the tempo of the contest with Dublin pulling further ahead of the Connacht Champions. Dublin added on two additional score from Byrne (free) and Mia Jennings while Galway’s final 2 points came from the boot of Coen and O’Kane.

In a game where a number of players from both sides excelled special mention goes to Dublin’s right half back Emily Flanagan who was exceptional through out the 80 minutes of football. The Ballyboden St Endas defender who was an injury doubt before the game gave an exhibition of football.

SCORERS – Dublin: Erica Byrne 1–5 (1-0 pen, 3f), Hannah O’Neill 2-1, Rachel Douglas 1-1, Niamh Carty, Billie Kate Huggard 1-0 each, Clara O’Sullivan 0-2, Clare McGrath, Jade Sweeney Knott, Mia Jennings 0-1 each. Galway: Leanne Coen 2-2, Siobhan Divilly 2-0, Eimear O’Kane 0-4 (3f), Claire Dunleavy 0-3, Amy Mee 0-2, Niamh Daly 0-1, Ailbhe Daveron 0-1.

DUBLIN: Katie Ronan, Meagan Duffy, Tarah O’Sullivan, Hannah O’Dea, Chloe Lawless, Laura McGinley, Emily Flanagan, Jade Sweeney Knott, Erica Byrne, Billie Kate Huggard, Hannah O’Neill, Mia Jennings, Rachel Douglas, Ellen Curran, Niamh Carty. Subs: Clare McGrath for Huggard, Leona Corr for Lawless, Muireann O’Gorman for Douglas, Clara O’Sullivan for Carty.

GALWAY: Laura Hession, Orla Canney, Ellie Glynn, Bronagh Quinn, Alanagh McBrien, Niamh Daly, Caoimhne Keavney, Siobhan Divilly, Grace Cahill, Claire Dunleavy, Chelsea Blade, Riona Ni Fhlatharta, Amy Mee, Leanne Coen, Eimear O’Kane.