Heartbreak For Loreto Girls.

Saturday 31.03.2012

Club

With almost fifteen minutes gone in the first half Loreto Omagh find themselves a goal behind 2-2 to 1-2 in their All Ireland under 16 final. Having conceded a very dubious goal early on the Omagh girls have battled back strongly and a Siobhan Sheerin goal and two Niamh Mc Girr points have put them in a reasonable position. Omagh are facing a strong breeze in the opening half but are finding the movement and speed of their opponents difficult to cope with.

The Tipperary girls have been very impressive in the opening half and at half time lead 3-5 to 1-2. Grace Quinn in goals has made several great stops for Loreto and Francesca Lynch at full back have been outstanding for the Omagh girls. Loreto are struggling in the middle of the field and have had possession turned over far too often coming out of defence. It is going to take a huge improvement in terms of work rate and use of the ball to turn this one around. Omagh will be playing with the breeze in the second half but the wind alone will not win it for them.

It is three minutes into the second half and Loreto hit the net early to give them hope but back come the Tipperary girls with a point to make it 3-6 to 2-2. Omagh have pushed Niamh O’Neill forward in an attempt to close the gap but they continue to struggle for break ball around the middle of the field. Niamh O’Neill hits the net, followed by a goal from Siobhan Sheerin as Loreto build a head of steam in their quest for successive All Ireland titles. With ten minutes of the second half gone there are three points between the sides 3-6 to 3-3 but it is all to play for.

Loreto are not having much luck with the refereeing decisions today as they are blown up regularly for over carrying. The Munster champions add another point from a free and with six minutes plus injury time left they lead 3-7 to 3-3. It looks like it might get away from the Omagh girls at this stage.

With time running out the Omagh girls continue to push forward in search of scores. Having closed the gap to two points it still looked possible. Sadly a Tipperary counter attack resulted in a goal for Dun Iascaigh and the Munster champions eventually won 4-8 to 3-5. Great disappointment for the Tyrone girls but they can be proud of the spirit and commitment they displayed in a pulsating second half. The dream of two All Irelands in a week has come to an end.