Wicklow win Leinster crown
Under-16 girls see off Louth to win the provincial title
WICKLOW LOUTH
THE Wicklow Under-16 camogie ladies picked up a provincial title, to top off a great week for Wicklow Camogie, along with the Minor ladies winning the All-Ireland Strike for Glory the previous week.
A powerful second half display by the Blue and Gold lasses killed off any fightback from the Louth ladies, in glorious sunny conditions last Sunday afternoon in Rathleague, the new home of Portlaoise GAA.
Donard’s Katie Tyrell landed the first score with a point in the opening minute with a sweet long-range shot.
Una Kinney levelled matters with Louth’s first attack, Wicklow were creating plenty of chances early on but could not capitalise it onto the score board to let the Louth girls off the hook.
Points by Jessica Mai Maxwell and Lauren O’Reilly increased the lead for the Wicklow girls.
A Katie Tyrell effort crashed back out off the upright and Lauren O’Reilly was in like a light to raise the first green flag of the contest in the 18th minute with a precise finish to the net.
Sive Byrne was flying in midfield at this stage for Wicklow. Katie Tyrell added a point before Jessica Mai Maxwell fired to the net to increase the lead.
Louth were growing stronger going into the final ten minutes of the opening half but some great clearances by Jenny Tyrell were keeping Louth at bay.
Emer O’Toole and Emma Murphy were also hurling well at this stage and clearing lots of ball.
A Kim Poole shot cannoned back out of the upright as a goal chance went amiss for Louth.
Wing-forward, Una Kinney fired over two long-range points for Louth before she rifled a shot to the net with a late rally, as the half time whistle sounded with the score reading 2-05 to 1-03 in favour of Wicklow.
The Wicklow management team of Hollywood’s Matt Byrne and Aughrim’s Noreen Whelan introduced a couple of fresh legs for the second period.
Sive Byrne fired over a great point after a one-two move with Casey Kelly from the throw in.
The Wicklow girls were hurling with more confidence now but some resolute defending by full-back Layah Maher and goalie Ailish Carroll were clearing wave after wave of Wicklow attacking play.
Katie Tyrell and Sive Byrne fired over a point apiece for Wicklow after good stick work by Niamh Byrne.
Kilcoole’s Lucy Rooney shook the Louth net for a third time after great work by Amber House.
Wicklow put the game to bed when Daisie Summer Cullen Dunne fired in a rocket for Wicklow’s fourth major of the game in the 50th minute.
Una Kinney pointed for Louth’s only score of the second half.
With the agreement of a rule break, the referee allowed both sides to empty their benches and use all their respective subs, brilliant for all the players and especially for all the parents.
Louth battled away but could not get past Jenny Tyrell and Maire Deegan in the full back line.
Ciara Clancy pointed after great work by Kasey Byrne. Daisie Summer pointed twice going into the final five minutes as Wicklow were finishing with a flourish.
Daisie Summer Cullen Dunne fired in her second goal from a 45, before Ciara Clancy landed the final point of the contest to spark off wild Wicklow celebrations.
Wicklow Captain, Ava Whelan of Aughrim, was presented with the Cup by Pat Martin, Chairman of Leinster Camogie.
Wicklow scorers: Daisie Summer Cullen Dunne 2-02, Lauren O Reilly 1 -01, Jessica Mai Maxwell 1-01, Lucy Rooney 1-00, Sive Byrne 0-03, Katie Tyrell 0-03, Ciara Clancy 0-03.
Louth Scorers: Una Kinney 1-04.