Two-goal Keenan and Player of the Match Maguire inspire Louth U16s to Leinster glory

U16 Leinster 'C' Championship final

Louth 3-13 Laois 1-10

Louth’s two-goal hero, Roche Emmets’ Abi Keenan was “over the moon” after her team’s Leinster ‘C’ final victory over Laois in Athy last Sunday.

The Wee County were 0-7 to four ahead at the interval, but shot clear in the second half with Keenan - eligible for this grade again next year - and Player of the Match Róisín Maguire performing impressively.

“I am over the moon with the victory and scoring two goals,” Keenan said.

“My first goal, I just saw the goals and I just kind of went for it. Thankfully, it went in.”

Team mentor Gerard Roe spoke of the Louth team’s potential to move on and develop from their success, saying: “There is fantastic talent in this panel. Football in Louth is very strong at this level and the future looks very promising.”

Louth took a grip on affairs early in the second half with Ava Briscoe pointing before Keenan found the net twice in quick succession.

Rachel Leonard hit Louth’s third major in seven minutes to lead 3-9 to 0-8 and while Laois hit back with a goal of their own, Louth were convincing winners.

“While it was great to get the award I couldn’t have got it without my team-mates,” Louth No.11 Roisin Maguire added.

Louth: Rebecca Lambe Fegan; Amy Farrell, Caitlin O’Reilly, Aine Carolan; Ella McEntaggert, Kelly Carolan, Louise Johnson; Sophie Turley (0-1), Mia Duffy (0-2); Ava Briscoe (0-1), Rachel Leonard (1-0), Roisin Maguire (0-6); Abi Keenan (2-0), Ellen McBride (0-1), Seona Halligan (0-1)

Subs: Sarah Gilmore (0-1), Alice Ferguson, Laoise McElroy, Leah McArdle, Sinead Kneel

Laois: Aoibhe Brennan; Jasmine Kinsella, Sarah Tuohy, Aoibhe Mulhall; Grainne Cotter, Georgina, Fiona Fennessy; Aishling Fitzpatrick, Ava Lawlor (1-0); Rachel Glynn, Anna Lalor, Ellen Donohue; Kelly O’Neill (0-2), Leah Tarpey (0-7), Ciara Crowley

Subs: Niamh Conroy (0-1), Eleanor Healy, Chloe Conroy, Sinead Good

Referee: Cathy Ford (Wicklow)

- In the Leinster MFC ‘C’ final played on Saturday, Louth, despite captain Niamh Rice scoring four goals, lost to Wexford, 6-9 to 5-9, in Clane.