Early promise fades as Laois succumb to Roscommon goals

Airnav U16 ‘B’ All-Ireland final

Roscommon 4-14 

Laois 0-10 

LAOIS were beaten by Roscommon met in the AirNav U16 ‘B’ All-Ireland Final on Wednesday evening at Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA. Laois reached the decider following an impressive semi-final victory over Tipperary, while Roscommon secured their place with a hard-fought win against Armagh.

Roscommon produced a strong and clinical display to overcome Laois, recovering from an early setback before taking control with a superb scoring burst. Laois impressed in spells and created chances, including a penalty opportunity, but Roscommon’s attacking efficiency and four-goal haul proved decisive as they pulled clear with a comfortable win.

Aisling Kennedy opened the scoring for Roscommon with a well-taken free, but Laois responded impressively with four unanswered points. Kate Dowling got them off the mark before Laura Malone and Mia Delaney added further scores, with Dowling striking again to give Laois an early advantage.

Roscommon steadied themselves through Katie Conroy, who converted a free to reduce the deficit. Conroy was then central to Roscommon’s next score after Anna Kelly fed her possession; although her effort struck the post, she was fouled in the follow-up and, with advantage applied, Conroy pointed the free.

Conroy added another score before Roscommon hit the front with their first goal of the game. Kennedy produced a superb finish, rattling the upper net to complete a decisive turnaround.

Roscommon continued to build their lead as Conroy converted another free, before Kennedy added a point from play. Isabella Downey then got her name on the scoresheet, followed by another Kennedy free as Roscommon maintained their attacking pressure.

The Rossies struck for a second goal when Anna Kelly’s effort came back off the crossbar, with Kennedy quickest to react and fire the rebound into the net. Kennedy added another point from a free before Laois finally ended a 21-minute spell without a score when Delaney converted before the whistle.

Despite Laois’ promising opening period, Roscommon’s scoring burst and clinical finishing saw them take a commanding lead into the interval, 2-9 to 0-5.

Laois started the half positively, with Malone pointing early on before Delaney converted a free to keep her side battling. Roscommon responded through Katie Conroy, who continued her excellent scoring contribution with another point.

Laois had a major opportunity to close the gap when Grainne Coleman was fouled while bearing down on goal, resulting in a penalty. However, Malone’s spot kick was struck straight at the goalkeeper which proved a momentum killer for Laois.

Roscommon powered on through their captain Eabhanna Sheridan as she added a point. Down the other end, Roscommon goalkeeper Grace Barron produced a fine save to deny Dowling after a fabulous effort on goal.

Sheridan soon made a decisive impact, finishing a flowing move by driving a low, powerful shot into the net after a superb diagonal pass opened up the Laois defence.

The Rossies continued to control proceedings, with Isabella Downey adding another point, but Laois refused to fade away. Substitute Kate Conroy made an immediate impact from the bench, scoring two points in quick succession, while Kara Powders also added to Laois’ tally. Abbey McGlynn got on the scoresheet pointing from play before Clodagh Finneran found the net to add further gloss to the scoreboard.

Conroy rounded off an impressive individual display with a late free as Roscommon completed a strong second-half performance and secured a convincing win.

SCORERS:

Roscommon: Aisling Kennedy 2-4 (0-3fs), Katie Conroy 0-6 (0-4fs), Eabhanna Sheridan 1-1, Clodagh Finneran 1-0, Isabella Downey 0-2, Abbey McGlynn 0-1.

Laois: Mia Delaney 0-3 (0-1f), Kate Dowling, Laura Malone, and Kate Conroy 0-2 each, Kara Powders 0-1.

LAOIS: Aoife Mullins (Killeshin); Lily Brophy (St. Joseph’s), Lucy Whelan (St. Brigid’s), Sarah Cunningham (Park/Ratheniska); Aine Conroy (Clonaslee St. Manman’s), Saffron Adams (Park/Ratheniska), Kara Powders (Portlaoise); Kara Phelan (Portlaoise), Jessica Horan (Ballyfin); Hanna Luttrell (St. Conleth’s), Mia Delaney (Park/Ratheniska), Chelsey Dooley (Killeshin); Laura Malone (Killeshin), Orlaith McEvoy (Sarsfields), Kate Dowling (St. Paul’s).

Subs: Grainne Coleman (Portlaoise) for McEvoy (ht), Sarah Burke (Sarsfields) for Conroy (48m), Kate Conroy (Park/Ratheniska) for Luttrell (52m), Molly Fitzpatrick (Park/Ratheniska) for Adams (57m), Aifric Hennessy (The Heath) for Delaney (57m).

ROSCOMMON: Grace Barron; Sophie Cox, Ciara Carroll, Saoirse Scott; Niamh Burke, Robyn Keane, Lauren Keena; Eabhanna Sheridan, Madison Hagan; Clodagh Finneran, Aisling Kennedy, Katie Canning; Katie Conroy, Isabella Downey, Anna Kelly.

Subs: Abbey McGlynn for Burke (43m), Sarah Kelly for Hagan (52m), Sarah Dixon for Keena (56m), Ava Smyth for Scott (60m), and Isla Walshe for Cox (62m).

Referee: Anthony Marron (Monaghan)