THE LIMERICK Under 14 Ladies Football Team did it the hard way when they overcame Leinster Champions, Offaly, in Nenagh in the All Ireland Semi Final last Sunday. Played in ideal conditions in McDonagh Park, Nenagh, the Limerick girls had their hands full to stay in the game throughout the first half. Offaly dominated the early exchanges when winning clean possession from the first whistle. Limerick started nervously and were thankful for goalkeeper Ailbhe Larkin and the timber work to prevent some early Offaly goal chances. After 15 minutes, Offaly were ahead 6 points to no score and it was not looking promising for Limerick. A tactical change saw Anna Shine introduced to combat the additional back that Offaly were playing and this reaped immediate dividends when she scored 2 points in quick succession to steady the Limerick ship. However, Offaly’s half forward line were still dominating the exchanges and Limerick’s goal line was kept intact by some fine goalkeeping and defensive work. Iris Kennelly kicked a point to leave Limerick trailing at half time 9 pts to 3.
The half time talk seemed to inspire Limerick as they won they throw in at the re-start when Robyn Leahy immediately got Limerick on the attack. Limerick needed an early score and they got it through Aoife Hickey, who played throughout with a broken finger, to narrow the gap to 3 points. Aoife followed this up with another close range point. This seemed to give the Limerick girls the belief that the task was not insurmountable and they started to win possession right throughout the field. The Limerick half back line of Aoife Rowsome, Kerrie Guinea and Ella Whelan were now dominant and gave a platform to their forwards. An Offaly point was immediately cancelled out by an Iris Kennelly free. Now playing football on the front foot, Limerick began to get on top throughout the pitch but entering the final quarter they still were 0-11 to 1-6 behind. With Aoife Hickey bearing down on goal Limerick won a penalty which was tucked away by Maura Shine to put Limerick a point ahead with 10 minutes left. Substitutions were made and it was one of the subs, Blaithin Leahy who scored the all important goal that gave Limerick a 4 point cushion 3-7 to 0-12 with 2 minutes on the clock. This is how it remained until the final whistle, when jubilant scenes were witnessed as Limerick reached their second All Ireland Final in successive years.
This was a thrilling match to watch but the old adage that goals win games certainly is correct. Offaly were left to rue their first half missed goal chances. Limerick had strong performances throughout the pitch in the second half. This was a 20 player effort but in the second half when leadership was required Captain Laura Nash, Full back Chloe Cleary, the youthful twins Anna & Maura Shine, the hard working pair Iris Kennelly and Ella Whelan all stood up. Limerick play Derry in the All Ireland Under 14C Final on 4 July at a neutral venue. They will know that it is a major achievement to be in two All Ireland Finals in successive years but a tough battle lies ahead and a much better start is essential to getting the right result. With 20 players used competition for places will be intense over the coming weeks, as Limerick set out to repeat the heroics of last year.
Final score: All Ireland Under 14C Semi Final: Limerick 3-7 Offaly 0-12
Limerick Panel: Aoife Hickey (Adare), Sive O’Halloran (Adare), Clare Carmody (Athea), Michelle Curtin (Athea), Noelle Curtin (Athea), Ava Mullane (Drom/Broadford), Chloe Cleary (Galtee Gaels), Eileen Scanlan (Gerald Griffins), Maura Shine (Gerald Griffins), Anna Shine (Gerald Griffins), Blaithin Leahy (Knockainey), Ciara Hyes (Knockainey), Aoife Corbert (Monagea), Ella Whelan (Monagea), Rachel O’Dell (Monaleen), Kerrie Guinea (Mungret/St Paul’s), Kerrie Guinea (Mungret/St Paul’s), Emer O’Keeffe (Mungret/St Pauls), Ailbhe Larkin (Mungret/St Paul’s), Lauren Beirne (Murroe Boher), Sophie Hennessy (Old Mill), Iris Kennelly (Old Mill), Kathleen Bradshaw (Oola), Caroline Brennan (Shamrock Gaels), Lucy Costello (Shamrock Gaels), Sinead McElligott (St Ailbes), Robyn Leahy (St Ailbes), Laura Nash Captain (St Ailbes), Aoife Rowsome (St Ailbes), Shannon McCarthy (St Brigids) and Jemma Duhig (St Patrick’s).
