The Galway u-16 girls ran out of steam in extra time after an epic battle with Dublin who claimed this year’s All Ireland final in Moate on Sunday by 6-12 to 4-13.
The girls from the west were always chasing the game especially in the first half, but four Dublin goals had them under pressure all the time.
Dublin were already a goal to 2 points up when Hannah O' Neill found the back of the net in the 11th minute to increase their lead. Claire Dunleavy fisted a point for Galway and this was followed by a point from Niamh Carty three minutes later before Laura Hession pulled off a fantastic save in the 26th minute. However when Kate Huggard’s attempt at a Dublin point in the 28th minute just dropped short, it also ended up in the back of the net.
Galway needed a goal quickly and Leanne Coen obliged after a fantastic run, but Dublin replied with another O'Neill goal in the last minute of the half to give Dublin a 4-02 to 1-05 lead.
Galway, however, were quick off the blocks after the restart and were a goal and a point up through Leanne Coen and Niamh Daly before Dublin got moving. They responded with a goal by Rachel Douglas and two frees by captain Erica Byrne. However when Siobhan Divilly scored a goal in the ninth minute and Eimear O’Kane pointed, Galway had narrowed the gap to two points. Katie Ronan in the Dublin goal pulled off a great save in the 24th minute from Claire Dunleavy as Galway increased their efforts in the closing minutes of the half and in the 28th a Niamh Daly goal put them up a point before a second O'Sullivan point in injury time had the sides level again.
Although Amy Mee got Galway off to the perfect start with an early point, their efforts of the second half started to take its toll as Dublin scored 1-03, and although Galway looked to close the gap, Dublin ran out deserved winners in a thrilling contest.
GALWAY: Laura Hession, Orla Canney, Elle Glynn, Sarah Donnellan, Alanagh McBrien, Niamh Daly, Caoimhe Keavney, Siobhan Divilly, Grace Cahill, Claire Dunleavy, Chelsea Blade, Riona Ni Fhlatarta, Amy Mee, Leanne Coen, Eimear O' Keane. SUBS: Sinead Heeffernan, Emma Jane Bane, Caoimhe Ni Ceallagh, Rachel Connolly, Ailbhe Davernan, Bronagh Quinn, Anna Ni Odhran Ni Mhurchu, Andrea Glynn, Rebecca Kelly, Grace Sheridan, Sheena Heffernan, Niamh Daly, Karen Walsh, Shauna Naughton.
