Sligo U-16 Girls failed to -day to overcome Kerry in their All Ireland U-16 Girls Footbal Semi-final with them
The score was Kerry 5-19 Sligo 4-6 Even with what maty seem to be a moderate score by the Sligo Girls they played very well and maybe didn't get the rub of the green at times Well done Girls you did yourselves, your county, management, parents and supporters proud
No joy for the Sligo U-16 county team who were beaten by a much fancy Kerry team yesterday in Duggan Park Ballinasloe in the A Championship All Ireland Semi Final.
Sligo were well in with a shout until the last 15 minutes of the game. At half time Kerry were 5 points in the lead 2-9 to 2-4, when the game ended the margin was much greater 5-19 to 4-6.
CF
SLIGO LADIES REPORT
All Ireland U – 16A Championship Semi Final
Mangan runs Sligo ragged
Kerry 5 – 19 Sligo 4 – 6
Sligo’s dreams of reaching a very first All Ireland U – 16A Championship Final were ended at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Sunday last following this setback to Munster Champions Kerry. Having claimed their very first Connacht Title at A level the county can still look back on a year at progress at underage level despite this latest setback. To be fair the score line doesn’t reflect the game nor does it reflect that this crop of magpie kept fighting to the very end with Kerry’s 5th goal being a real knockout punch to the outcome.
The name Leanne Mangan will ring in Sligo ears for many a long day as the corner forward from Castleisland Desmonds helped herself to 4 – 4 over the course of the game, indeed had Mangan forgot to turn up the game could have very well ended up as a draw as it was Mangan’s personal tally that separated the sides at the end.
The Kingdom made a right opening and had a point on the board after 20 seconds through Nicole O’Connor. Sligo hit back though through points from Shauna Brady and Emma Hansberry to take the lead for a short period from the 3rd to the 7th minute. The Kingdom then mover gears and rolled into the lead that by the 20th minute was 2 – 6 to 0 – 3. Mangan provided the goals while O’Connor, Mangan and Laura Rodgers added the points. The Kingdom net was rattled in the 23rd minute as Lauren Boles hammered the ball to the net after several blocked attempts. Claire O’Sullivan added pints before the last act of the half was left to Sligo sub Saoirse Byrne to rattle the Kerry net again. Another highlight of the closing minutes was a point blank save by Sligo keeper Ciara Cloghessy to deny Leanne Mangan of a certain goal.
By the midway point of the second half it was game set and All Ireland Final place for Kerry as the held a 3 – 15 to 2 – 4 lead. Mangan once again the goal queen while O’ Sullivan, Rodgers, O’ Connor and Subs Megan Buckley and Megan O’Connell getting in on the scoring act. A Sligo rally yielded a goal and a point to bring the game back to 10. The Goal, Byrne’s second with Hansberry adding to her tally. O’ Sullivan and Grainne Carty traded points before Mangan added another 1 – 1 to her tally.
Both sides traded goals late on through Katie Walsh (Sligo) and Nicole O’Connor (Kerry) to end an interesting contest although the score line might not suggest the same. For Sligo though the future looks bright despite the double set back over the weekend. No doubt a number of this year’s U – 16’s will be appearing in the years to come dislodging a number who appeared in Saturday’s game – players who have given great service to Sligo over the years – so one should keep an eye out for the likes of Ruane, Ewing, O’Loughlin, Sheerin, Connolly, Gillespie, Reynolds, Hansberry, Gallagher, Carty, Walsh, Queenan, and many more in the years to come.
Overall despite this setback it has been a record breaking season for Sligo at underage level
Scorers Sligo: Saoirse Byrne 2 – 0, Emma Hansberry 0 – 4, Lauren Boles & Katie Walsh 1 – 0 each, Shauna Brady and Grainne Carty 0 – 1 each.
Scorers Kerry: Leanne Mangan 4 – 4, Claire O’Sullivan 0 – 7, Nicole O’Connor 1 – 2, Laura Rodgers 0 – 4, Megan Buckley and Megan O’Connell 0 – 1each.
Sligo: Ciara Cloghessy, Marie Ruane, Aisling Ewing, Grainne o’Loughlin, Edel Sheerin, Bernadette Connolly, Rachel Monaghan, Laura Gillespie, Sarah Reynolds, Lauren Boles, Caoimhe Gallagher, Emma Hansberry, Grainne Carty, Katie Walsh, Shauna Brady. Subs Saoirse Byrne, Mary Walsh, Megan Finan, Clodagh McKeown, Aoife Brennan, Catherine Mulvaney, Kate Barrins, Marie Claire Doyle, Aine Stenson,