Kildare U16s secure Leinster final spot

U16 Leinster championship Kildare 4-16 Meath 5-7
This game was played in excellent conditions in Sarsfields GAA. Kildare started the game at a lightening pace, and within the first five minutes, Niamh Mulhall had the ball in the back of the Meath net for the first of four Kildare goals. This was quickly followed by a point from Ellen Dowling and a second Kildare goal, this time from Mikaela Mc Kenna. Orla Moran from Athy was brought into the game to replace Derbhaile Byrne who was brought off after a knee injury. Moran had an immediate effect, and kicked a fine point upon her entrance. This was followed by points from Mikaela Mc Kenna, Niamh Mulhall and two from Ellen Dowling. Meath had no answer to this Kildare dominance. Daire Smyth performed well in the middle of the field, along with Shauna Kendrick and Chanice Corcoran. Meath responded with two good points from Grace Malone and Stacey Grimes. Mc Kenna from Kildare responded with her second goal. Meath were quick to reply to this, and following a fine exchange of passes stuck the ball over the bar for their third point of the game by Ellie Lane. Kildare led at half time on a scoreline of 3-7 to 0-3. Meath emerged from the half-time break and began the second half at a blistering pace, scoring 2-3 within the first twelve minutes; goals by Aoife Flatterty and Alicia Curtis, and some fine points by Kellie Harris and Stacey Grimes gave Meath the determination that they needed to get back into the game. Kildare responded well and kept the scoreboard ticking over with scores from Mikaela Mc Kenna, Niamh Mulhall and Ellen Dowling once again. Meath kept in touch with a further point from Kellie Harris and a goal in the 25th minute from Sarah O' Brien. This set the game on knife edge for the final five minutes. In the 28th minute Meath were awarded a penalty, which they duly stuck in the back of the Kildare net. However, Kildare responded excellently and Mikaela Mc Kenna scored her third goal of the game. This was followed by a point from Ellen Dowling to seal the Kildare victory, and a place in the u16 B Championship final against Wexford on the 7th July.  Special mention must go to Rachel Cribben who performed excellently throughout the game with a player of the match performance; Emma Wheeler, Sarah O' Neill and Ellen Dowling also put in some fine performances, along with Mikaela Mc Kenna who finished on a personal tally of 3-5. Kildare Scorers: Mikaela Mc Kenna 3-5, Ellen Dowling 0-5, Niamh Mulhall 1-2, Orla Moran 0-3, Shauna Kendrick 0-1. Kildare team: Rochelle Kane (St Laurence's), Niamh Lawlor (St Laurence's), Emma Lyons (Sarsfields), Rachel Cribben (Balyna), Daire Smyth (Kilcullen), Sarah O Neill (St Laurence's ), Grainne Lyons (Leixlip), Chanice Corcoran (Celbridge ), Emma Wheeler (St Laurence's), Niamh Mulhall (Athy), Shauna Kendrick (Sarsfields), Kayleigh Farrell (Leixlip), Derbhaile Byrne  (St Laurence's), Ellen Dowling (Suncroft), Mickaela Mc Kenna (Na Fianna). Subs: Orla Moran (Athy) Ailish Heavey(Ballykelly), Gemma Harnett(Sarsfields), Aine Dunne (St Laurence's), Jessica Nolan (Sarsfields), Niamh Flynn (Celbridge), Sinead Miley (St Laurence's)