Dublin 4-10 v Limerick 1-5

Dublin U16A team travelled to Claughaun GAA grounds in Limerick for their first round match against Limerick on Sunday 3^rd July 2016.

From the throw in Dublin went on the attack with an early point from play by Alix Buckley, followed quickly by a well taken free by Ciara Holland. Limerick hit back with a free of their own before Dublin’s Jessie McClelland scored a goal after great Dublin team play. One more point from a free was all Limerick could manage in the first half, as Dublin went on a scoring spree, with passages of tremendous team play, A point from Laura Quinn, then a good catch by Niamh Hetherton was passed in to Ciara Holland who drove it into the back of the net. Another point from a free for Ciara, 1-1 for Jessie, and a goal for Laura, brought the half time score to 4-5 to 0-2.

Limerick were expected to fight back strongly in the second half, and indeed they did. They applied pressure on Dublin but the defence held firm. After a string of good passes by Dublin Jessie popped over another well-worked point. Limerick responded with a point from a free, Ciara Murphy was introduced and quickly got a point on the scoreboard, this was followed by another point from Ciara Holland from a free. Limerick piled on the pressure, and managed 1-2 from play, but 2 more points for Jessie and Laura finished the game on a high for Dublin. 

The score-line doesn’t do justice to Limerick who contested fiercely all over the pitch and kept Dublin on their toes throughout.  Dublin now host Clare next Sunday in the second round, which can be expected to be another competitive match.

Team : Megan Thomas, Sarah Meagher, Rebecca Lewis, Jennifer O’Sullivan, Rachel Regan, Rachel Brennan, Aoife Mahon, Chloe Mullen, Sinead Wylde, Laura Quinn (1-2), Niamh Hetherton, Orla Gray, Ciara Holland (1-3), Jessie McClelland (Capt.) (2-3), Alix Buckley (0-1), Georgia Plowman, Ciara Murphy (for Alix Buckley) (0-1), Jody Couch (for Sarah Meagher), Derbhla Nolan (for Jennifer O’Sullivan), Sarah Langan (for Rachel Regan), Sophie Malone (for Orla Gray).