Under 16s must down Tipperary

MUNSTER U-16 A LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP Kerry 4-11 Cork 5-9

THERE was heartbreak for the Kerry Under 16 team when they were beaten by a single point by Cork in sun-drenched Macroom last Saturday. Kate Dennehy was the hero for Cork in a game that had it all – great scores, end to end action defensive mistakes and goals galore.

Kerry thought that they had snatched a draw in the 60th minute when Ceiti Ní Luing pointed after a strong run and pass from substitute Ella Teahan. There was still time for Cork to break up field however, and Dennehy scored from an acute angle to seal the deal for the Rebels.

Kerry played with a strong breeze in the first half but Cork took the game to Kerry and actually led by 1-3 to 0-2 after just 10 minutes with their goal coming from Katie Quirke.

The unfortunate Caoimhe Evans went off injured for Kerry and was replaced by Emma O’Sullivan of Inbhear Sceine Gaels who went on to have a significant impact on the game.

O’Sullivan goaled for Kerry in the 13th minute after a good pass from Niamh Ni Chonchuir to draw Kerry level at 1-3 apiece. Keating and O’Sullivan swapped points once more and from the Cork kick out Cora Joy showed great vision to spot Katie Buckley who finished soccer style to the back of the net. Both sides swapped wides before the half time whistle which saw Kerry take a four point lead, 2-6 to 1-5, into the dressing room.

Cork, now playing with the aid of the breeze scored the first two points of the second half through Kate Dennehy and a Faye Ahern free to bring it back to a two point game.

Cora Joy then saw yellow, and the sin bin for 10 minutes after an off the ball incident. Katie Buckley pointed from play and Ceiti Ni Luing put over two frees for Kerry to push them five points ahead but soon afterwards Cork made their extra player count when they struck for four goals in the space of six minutes through Fiona Keating, Katie Quirke, Kate Dennehy and Quirke again to propel the Cork girls into a seven-point lead with Kerry looking dead and buried.

Kerry did not wave the white flag and Ceiti Ní Luing pointed another free. A minute later Siofra O’Shea set off on a lung bursting run before parting to Niamh Ní Chonchuir who finished smartly to the Cork net to make it a three-point game once more.

Two minutes later and Kerry were level. Niamh Ni Chonchuir passed to Emma O’Sullivan and the super sub finished to the net once more to the delight of the large Kerry support. Cork were rocked, but went one ahead again through a Katie Quirke effort but Kerry replied when Ceiti Ní Luing pointed from play following a pass from Ella Teahan.

There was drama to follow as Dennehy pointed to put Cork one ahead with time almost up. Kerry did have one final chance to level the game from a free, they went for goal, and the win, but Cork cleared off the line and the final whistle sounded.

A case of fortune not favouring the brave in this instance. Kerry will now face Tipperary next Saturday in a game that they must win to stay in the Munster Championship. LABHAOISE Walmsley Kerry: Dasha Puzanova, Rachel O’Connor, Mairead Lehane, Ali Ni Mhathuna, Julie O’Sullivan, Kayla O’Connor, Kayleigh McGlashan, Meabh McElligott, Katie Buckley (1-1), Ceiti Ni Luing (0-7, 5f), Niamh Ni Chonchuir (1-0), Caoimhe Evans, Anna Clifford (0-1), Cora Joy, Siofra O’Shea Subs: Emma O’Sullivan (2-2) for Evans), Ella Teahan for Joy, Maud Kelly for Ni Mhathuna, Gemma Kearney for McGlashan, Ali Ni Mhathuna for R O’Connor, Mary O’Connell for McElligott