Laois U-16 Camogie joint-managers Georgie Boyhan and Noel Kirby were full of pride and emotion following their side’s emphatic 5-11 to 3-6 victory over Kildare in the All-Ireland ‘B’ final.
The win, which capped off a superb campaign for Laois, was built on a powerful second-half performance that saw them pull away decisively.
Reflecting on the final whistle and what the win meant to the group, Boyhan admitted the magnitude of the achievement was still sinking in.
“It hasn’t really hit home yet. Listen, they are a great bunch of girls. They’ve done everything that we asked them to do.
“Especially in the second half, we told them to push up on the puck-outs and everything. And it paid off when we had the wind behind us there. They’re great girls and it was great to win it,” he said.
Laois had played into a strong breeze in the opening half, which made life difficult in attack.
But Kirby noted they were satisfied with their position at the break, knowing conditions would turn in their favour.
“We reckoned four points was a good position to be in at half-time because you wanted five or six at least with that strong breeze down the field.
“We knew we had the forward power inside to get scores. It’s just that we couldn’t get the ball into them in the first half against the wind,” he explained.
One of the most impressive aspects of the win was the wide spread of scorers across the team, with several standout performers up front.
“Lucy (Ryan), Lauren (Fitzpatrick) and Holly (Brennan) there in the second half — they were on fire and they were one-on-one with their markers.
“They turned them and they were stronger. It’s good to see a lot of scores being got all over the field,” said Boyhan, pleased with the team’s attacking depth.
Having already dispatched Kildare comfortably in the group stages, Laois knew their opponents would pose a stronger challenge in the final, especially with the wind at their backs in the first half.
“We beat them handy enough in the first game, and we knew they were going to come at us today, and they did come at us, only for such a strong wind.
“The break came at the right time for us. We were four points down and if it had to be any more, it was going to be a struggle. So, thanks be to God, half-time came at the right time,” Boyhan acknowledged, recognising the crucial timing of the interval.
What followed after the break was a blistering start from Laois, as they blitzed Kildare with 3-5 in the first 13 minutes of the second half to seize full control of the contest.
“We had to get the first score on the board, and we did. We got a few great points, and then the goals just kept coming. It was great, and as I said they’re a great bunch of girls,” he noted, clearly delighted with how the team responded to their instructions.
Looking ahead, Boyhan is hopeful that this group will continue to progress and make an impact at minor level next season.
“We hope maybe next year that there’ll be maybe half of them there fit to go minor. The minors were beat last week in the Shield A final.
“So, we’re hoping these will push on and maybe win the A Shield final next year. Please, God,” he said, casting an optimistic eye on the future.
SEE ALSO – Camogie: Masterclass from Boyhan helps Laois to All Ireland U-16 ‘B’ glory
