Derry U16 to face Wexford in All-Ireland 16A Shield final

Derry will face Wexford in the All-Ireland under 16A Shield final the weekend after next following their excellent 1-19 to 1-08 semi-final victory over Dublin on Sunday afternoon in Latton.

Eva Forbes was the star of the game for the recently crowned Ulster champions. The team captain hit 13 points in an excellent display of marksmanship with ten of those scores coming in the second half as the Oak Leaf cailíní pulled clear of the Dublin challenge.

The Leinster champions actually made the early running with free-taker Sarah Blessington giving them traction from frees. The Faugh’s forward put her side ahead on three occasions over the first quarter, but in turn Rachel Gribbin, Eva Forbes (free) and Gráinne Doherty responded.

Although Freya Ryan put Dublin ahead for the fourth time, Rachel Gribbin’s goal in the 21st minute gave Derry a lead they never subsequently lost.

Clodagh McIlvar, Rose Quinn, Forbes (two) and Gribbin all picked off scores to put Derry in at the break with a lead of 1-8 to 0-5.

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In the second half Eva Forbes emphatically put her stamp on the game by hitting the target for the next ten Derry points. The frees came from all angles and distances with the over-physical Dublin defence caught for fouls far too frequently.

Sofia Dowdall’s goal arrived in the final ten minutes too late to impact the game. Forbes was able to respond from a free and then a 45 with Feina Kerr drifting in for an excellent score near the end.

In the other semi-final Wexford had an equally emphatic 2-19 to 0-7 victory over Offaly in to set up a repeat of the 2024 final that Derry won by 0-17 to 2-6.

Derry: Karen Birt, Ella Rafferty, Gracie Diamond, Niamh Duggan, Charlotte O’Hagan, Cassie Conway, Emma McVey, Orla McKenna, Feina Kerr 0-1, Cassie Diamond, Eva Forbes capt 0-13 (11fs), Gráinne Doherty 0-1, Rose Quinn 0-1, Rachel Gribbin 1-2, Clodagh McIlvar 0-1. Subs: Grace McCloseky for C Diamond, Dearbhla Mellon for R Gribbin, Iona Tohill for G Doherty

Dublin: M Nearney, G Wilson, C Madden, L O’Sullivan, F Frain, K Quigley, E Peppard, S Gleeson, M Burke, S Blessington capt 0-6 (fs), S Dowdall 1-0, C Phillips, A O’Brien, F Ryan 0-1, S King 0-1.