Junior Ladies Football All Ireland Semi-Final
report by Ger Finn

Kinsale: 3 – 15
Kilmoremoy (Ballina, Co. Mayo): 2 - 9
Kinsale headed north-west in convoy to Ballina in Co Mayo on an historical occasion for the club to compete in the 2016 Junior All Ireland Semi-Final. This youthful team with an unbeaten record this year, filled with vigour and determination, were up for the challenge. Kinsale undoubtedly started as underdogs as the rivals had home advantage and had eased their way to their provincial crown. In the pre-match huddle Captain Aisling Judge encouraged the team to give everything for Kinsale and their supporters who had travelled long distances to cheer on their local heroes. Kinsale donned the Red Cork jersey due to jersey colour similarity.
Kilmoremoy opened the scoring with a point inside the first 4 minutes; followed by an Orla Finn point from a free soon after. The first quarter was intense with the opponents missing many an opportunity. Kinsale’s backline was tight, spoiling, blocking, forcing errors as if their lives depended on it. With scores hard to come by, Kinsale were the more clinical, wasting very little. Kinsale created goal chances which failed to materialise but kept the scoreboard ticking over with a few well taken frees to give them a 3 point margin, leading 0-8 to 0-5 at half time.
Kinsale started the 2nd half with a blistering pace. Within 8 minutes Kinsale rattled the net twice, with goals coming from Sadhbh O’Leary and Orla Finn. This coupled with the introduction of Rebecca Murphy, who bolstered Kinsale’s attack, provided a perfect platform for the remainder of the 2nd half. Kinsale widened the gap to 10 points and from here never looked like relinquishing their lead. In the dying minutes Kinsale’s attack once again showed their class with Jenny Murphy scoring a goal to cap off her great performance.
While Kinsale’s forwards tormented Kilmoremoy, the Kinsale backs showed great skill and determination in limiting Kilmoremoy’s famed attack and can take huge pride in this great team performance. After the final whistle Kinsale players and mentors showed a gesture of appreciation to the many travelling fans.

Kinsale Team:
Aisling Judge, Tracey McCarthy, Emma O’Brien, Christine Keohane, Georgina Buckley, Caoimhe O’Callaghan, Georgia Gould, Aoife Keating, Lorraine Copithorne, Juliette Cronin, Jennifer Murphy, Ellen Murphy, Faye Ahern, Orla Finn, Sadhbh O’Leary.

Scorers:
Orla Finn (1-9, 4F), Sadhbh O’Leary (1-2), Jenny Murphy (1-0), Rebecca Murphy (0-2), Faye Ahern, Loraine Copithorne (0-1) each.

Subs:
Grace Cronin, Aisling Lee, Cara O’Dwyer, Meadhbh O’Leary, Saoirse Crowley, Clare Tyner, Dara Tyner, Hester McCarthy, Rebecca Murphy, Sinéad Keating, Christina Broderick, Niamh Steenson, Lisa Copithorne, Niamh Cronin, Danielle Murphy, Neasa O’Leary.

Team Support:
Michéal O’Connor, Eugene O’Callaghan, Siobhan Ní Núnan, Ger Finn, Chris Cronin, Dr. Padraig Macgillicuddy, Carol Nyhan (physio), Trudy Macgillicuddy (Physical Therapist), Mairead Cronin (Logistics), Andrew O’Leary and Eamon Judge (Video Analysts).

Back Row (L-R): Faye Ahern, Emma O’Brien, Aoife Keating, Juliette Cronin, Sadhbh O’Leary, Ellen Murphy, Jenny Murphy, Georgia Gould, Meadhbh O’Leary, Sinead Keating, Niamh Cronin, Orla Finn, Hester McCarthy, Rebecca Murphy, Lisa Copithorne
Front Row (L-R): Christine Keohane, Tracey McCarthy, Saoirse Crowley, Dara Tyner, Lorraine Copithorne, Clare Tyner, Aisling Judge, Grace Cronin, Aisling Lee, Georgina Buckley, Niamh Steenson, Caoimhe O’Callaghan, Cara O’Dwyer.