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Nicole Owens stars in All Ireland U16 Shield Final

Dublin vs Mayo; Sun 16th August 2009. Nicole starred in the drawn game and again in the replay when Dublin produced an excellent battling display to overcome a resilient Mayo team at Kiltoom. Played in windy conditions both teams displayed some super football but it was the Dublin team that prevailed by the narrowest of margins on a score line of 3-12 to 3-11.

Mayo, with the aid of a stiff breeze, started extremely well with a point and a goal inside three minutes before Dublin responded with a fine point of their own through Siobhan Killeen. Mayo dominated the early exchanges and raced into a seven point lead which could have been greater but for an excellent save by Dublin goalkeeper, Alice Gillen. Mayo were still dominating half way through the first half before Dublin settled into their rhythm and points from Siobhan Killeen, Nicole Owens and Megan Carney reduced the Mayo’s lead to four points. Siobhan Killeen then scored a superb goal to bring Dublin right back into the match.
Captain Aoife Caffrey was dominating at wing back and was driving Dublin forward along with midfielders Jessica Wall, Emma McDonagh and Elaine McGrath who was playing as a third midfielder. The full back line comprising of Lucy Collins, Ellen Keatley and Leah Caffrey along with half backs Jenny Ward, Aoife Caffrey and Grainne Barrett settled into the task and started to get to grips with the Mayo forwards.

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Dublin hit a purple patch just before half time with further points from Nicole Owens and Siobhan Killeen. A quick ball from a free resulted in a well taken goal by Lauren Ebbs to leave Dublin leading by 2-7 to 2-5 at half time.
Dublin played with the breeze in the second half but Mayo started well with a pointed free. Dublin’s Nicole Owens struck with a goal to extend Dublin’s advantage but Mayo’s forwards took some well taken points to reduce the deficit to a single point. At this stage Mayo were launching constant attacks and Dublin defended extremely well to weather the storm. Dublin then enjoyed a period of dominance with points from Lauren Ebbs, Alison Philips and Nicole Owens extending Dublin’s lead to three points.

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Dublin brought on Sarah McCaffrey and Siobhan Woods to help out tiring legs before a Lauren Ebbs point helped consolidate their lead. Mayo went in search of goals but timely interceptions from Aoife Caffrey, Ellen Keatley and Lucy Collins kept Mayo shooting from distance.
Ciara Ruddy and Shauna Garvin were brought on to assist the effort as Dublin battled towards the finish line. A point from Nicole Owens resulted in Dublin leading by four points going into injury time. A super Mayo goal in injury time brought them within a point however Dublin held out for a deserved victory.

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