Mia Lynch's two late pointed frees saw Cavan claim a first All-Ireland U16A LGFA title since 1977.
The game was a tight affair throughout with Cavan eventually winning 2-12 to 1-13 at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
Cavan started impressively. Ella Sheridan’s penalty goal on ten minutes gave the Breffni women a two-point cushion.
She rifled the ball into the top corner of the net leaving Cork goalkeeper Andrea Toye with no chance.
Cavan’s second goal followed two minutes later. Lauren Miney finished to the net giving the Breffni women a five-point lead.
Cork responded impressively; five unanswered points saw the Rebels restore parity on 21 minutes.
Two pointed frees from Eabha O’Donovan sandwiched Cork’s first goal on 26 minutes. Laura Walsh was the scorer.
Cavan's big comeback
Cavan’s scoring drought ended two minutes later when Katie O’Meara slotted over a score. Cavan trailed 1-9 to 2-2 at the break.
Cavan showed plenty of urgency after the resumption. Mia Lynch reduced the margin to a solitary point on 39 minutes.
60 seconds later, Cavan were awarded a penalty from which Sheridan only managed a point. Suddenly parity was restored.
O’Donovan restored Cork’s two-point advantage on 46 minutes. The margin could’ve been greater only for the brilliance of Fainche Higgins.
The Cavan shot-stopper produced a fantastic double save from Sarah Barry. Firstly, she stopped a penalty goal before repelling the Cork substitute from play.
Cavan’s Fainche Higgins receives the Player of the Match award from Con Moynihan, Connacht LGFA President, following this evening’s All-Ireland U16 A Final replay victory over Cork at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick 👏 #lgfa pic.twitter.com/R4EK7g3JjV
— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) July 28, 2023
O’Donovan and Sheridan subsequently traded frees before the latter added another one two minutes into stoppage time.
Lynch followed up with two more pointed frees resulting in a fantastic victory for Michael Flynn’s side.
