Leinster Ladies U16 Championship Round 3.
Louth 8-16, Kilkenny 1-6.
Once again, the young Louth Ladies were on top form on Saturday 13th April, when they disposed of the Kilkenny challenge at a breezy and cool Oliver Plunketts pitch in Drogheda.
With both teams having got the better of Wicklow and Carlow in the previous rounds, and therefore qualified for the C semi finals, the prize on offer was a home venue in the last four.
From the throw in the girls in red were in the ascendancy and although playing into the teeth of the breeze, they soon were ahead with 2 Ellen McBride goals. Roisin Maguire, Abi Keenan, Ava Briscoe and Seona Halligan added first half points while Rachel Leonard added a third goal before the break. Although the visitors had a brief period of dominance midway through the half where they scored a super goal along with some long range points, it was the Louth girls who went to the dressing rooms with a healthy 3-8 to 1-5 lead.
The home side were straight down to business after the break, with Ellen McBride completing her second hat trick in consecutive games, and with Abi Keenan, Ava Briscoe Seona Halligan and midfielder Sophie Turley all finding the back of the Kilkenny net, the game quickly ran away from the girls from the southeast.
With the home defence being well marshalled by team captain Caitlin O’Reilly from the home club, the visitors were restricted to a solitary point from a late free, more points followed from Abi Keenan, Ava Briscoe, Seona Halligan along with magnificently taken long range scores from the impressive Mia Duffy and sub Evelyn Donnolly.
What was most impressive from the Louth point of view was the showing of all 10 second half replacements, and this will give manager Martin Duffy and his management team a few sleepless nights, as he selects his team for the upcoming semi final in 2 weeks time.
Louth team and scorers; Rebecca Lambe Fagan (Dowdallshill), Amy Farrell (Glyde Rangers), Caitlin o Reilly (Oliver Plunkets), Rachel Hynes (St Patricks); Ella McEntaggert (Kilkerley Emmets), Aine Caralon (Glen Emmets), Louise Johnson (O Raghallaighs); Sophie Turley (Naomh Finbarra 1-0), Mia Duffy (St Marys 0-1); Ava Briscoe (St Fechins 1-4), Rachel Leonard (Glen Emmets 1-0), Roisin Maguire (St Kevins 0-3); Abi Keenan (Roche Emmets 1-4), Ellen McBride (St Brides 3-0), Seona Halligan (Roche Emmets 1-3).
Subs used Kerry Ann D’Arcy (Geraldines), Emily Johnson (O Raghallaighs), Laoise McIlroy (Cooley Kickhams), Caoimhe Crichton (Dowdallshill), Kaylin Nugent (Newtown Blues), Katie Conlon (St Patricks), Leah McArdle (Geraldines), Evelyn Donnolly (St Patricks 0-1) and Neasa Reilly (Geraldines).
Referee: Jason Corcoran (Kildare).
