Tesco Under 16B All Ireland Championship 

Offaly 6-25 

Kildare  2 – 0 

On Sunday afternoon in St Brendan’s Park, Offaly under 16s started their Championship campaign against Kildare in the first round of the Tesco All Ireland Championship. The Offaly girls played with a slight breeze behind them in the first half and they took full advantage of this.  

Amy O’Sullivan opened the scoring when she knocked over Offaly’s first score of the day from a free. However, Kildare had worked very hard and were rewarded with a free but unlucky as they struck the upright. Kildare continued to apply pressure, but Offaly’s defence worked well to clear their lines with Sophie James in goals who made some excellent saves. Nicola Cleary and Ciara Maher fed some excellent passes in to Molly Hogan and Sarah Dillion who added to Offaly’s score with a further 2 points. Caoimhe O’Donovan soared through Kildare’s defence getting her first point of the day and Amy O’Sullivan followed this with her second free just before the water break. 

Kildare’s workrate continued and Offaly had to work hard and fight for their scores. O’ Sullivan then added another point, followed by a well worked goal from Aoife Byrne. Soon after, Molly Hogan added to this with a goal of her own to leave the scoreline reading, Offaly 2-6, Kildare 0-0.  Kildare were then rewarded for their efforts when a long ranged shot from Kildare’s centre forward, Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal was deflected into Offaly’s. However Offaly responded emphatically when Roisín Kinsella got her first point and this was followed by Grainne Kennedy and Sarah Dillion working well together in midfield, passing a ball to Fianait Dooley who finished the ball to the net.  The home team finished the half with with points from Byrne and Dooley to leave the half time score at Offaly 3-10, Kildare 1-0.  

Offaly Under 16 panel that faced Kildare in Birr on Sunday

After the break Offaly continued where they left off with 3 points from O’Sullivan and followed by an outstanding long range score from the captain Ciara Maher. The scores continued to follow for an impressive Offaly side when Sarah Dillon hit an unstoppable goal shot to the Kildare net.   The Faithful girls refused to take their foot off the gas and added further points from Byrne (2), Dillon, O’Sullivan and substitute Caoimhe Quinn.  

Despite the flurry of scores by the forwards, Offaly’s defence deserves credit for their communication and work rate when Kildare applied pressure.  

The scores continued to flow for Offaly, adding a further 3 points before Sarah Dillon helped herself to a brace of goals.  The scoring for the day was complete with Offaly adding on two more points to their tally and Kildare getting a consolation goal. 

It was a comfortable outing for the Offaly team and no doubt they will have tougher challenges ahead.  Their next match is away to Carlow next weekend.  Keep a check on Offaly Camogie’s social media platforms for further details of the match. 

Offaly Team; Sophie James, Caoimhe Ginty, Cáit Hickey, Ciara Kilmartin, Aoife O’Donovan, Nicola Cleary, Ciara Maher (0-01), Grainne Kennedy (0-01), Sarah Dillion(3-3), Roisín Kinsella (0-1), Amy Sullivan (0-7), Caoimhe O’Donovan (0-2), Fianait Dooley (1-1), Molly Hogan(1-2), Aoife Byrne (1-6), Kacey Delaney, Orla Kilmartin (0-1), Stephanie Mahon, Caoimhe Quinn, Emma Conlon, Aisling Hughes, Aislinn Ryan, Bronagh Konneally, Katie Hennessey, Aoibhe Carey, Aoife Liffey. 

Substitutes; Kacey Delaney for Sophie James, Stephanie Mahon for Aoife O’Donovan, Orla Kilmartin for Fianait Dooley, Bronagh Konneally for Caoimhe Ginty, Emily Conlon for Molly Hogan, Katie Hennessey for Ciara Kilmartin and Caoimhe Quinn for Roisín Kinsella.  

Unused substitutes:  Aisling Ryan, Aoibhe Liffey, Aisling Hughes 

Kildare Team:  Laura Kelly, Emma Gray, Shauna Dunne, Emma Malone, Sarah Whelan, Jill Grimes, Ciara Howick, Teigan Brennan, Sophie Hazzard, Eve Heslin, Caoimhe Ni Bhuirceal, Orla Flynn, NIamh Davis, Almha O’Rourke, Emily Tarrant 

Substitutes:  Clodagh Corry, Aibhin Moran, Megan Riordan, Emma Martin, Niamh Flynn, Saoirse Coffey, Jodie Lawlor, Lily Byrne, Eimear Gaffney, Shauna Healy, Mae Donovan, Ciara Ennis

Alan Harris

PRO, Offaly Camogie

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