Lucan Sarsfields Ladies Footballers fall just short in their bid for All Ireland Division 1 Feile Title

After weeks and months of planning, Friday the 24^th of June 2016 finally arrived. True to form, as for all of the big days that these girls have been involved in, so did the rain. The journey for the All Ireland Division 1 Ladies Football Feile began with a 2.5 hour drive down the M8 to our host club of Carrigaline in Cork. By now, all of the hard work had been done, and the only question that remained unanswered, was what was going to unfold over the following 48 to 72 hours (and of course what time were the parents going to eat at!!!!).

First up on Friday evening was St Patricks from Wicklow. The key stat in everyone’s head prior to this game, was that they were reigning All Ireland Feile champions. Anyway, all everyone wanted was for things to get going. After the expected shaky start by both sides, it was the Lucan girls who settled the quicker and started to get the scores on the board. The game finished with the girls running out comprehensive winners on a scoreline of 5 5 to no score. It’s always nice to get the first game out of the way and this was just the performance the girls needed.

With confidence high, next up straight afterwards was Nemo Rangers. No research on stats needed here, as we had just seen them dispose of our hosts quiet easily in their previous game. It was clear that this could turn out to be the table topping game of the group, and so it did. From the start this was a tight affair, and at half time we were 1 point down. The second half as a classic ding dong affair, and we led by two points with a few minutes to go, after a well taken goal. Then disaster, as Nemo stormed through from midfield to hit the back of the net. Almost immediately, the shouts went up from the opposition sideline of ‘time up ref’. As they’ve done so many times in the past, our Lucan girls remained calmed, and from the kick out worked the ball down the pitch to score the equalising point which was quickly followed by the ref’s final whistle. 

Day 1 finished with us on top of the group level on points with Nemo, but ahead on the scores conceded rule. Little did we know after our first game how important that clean sheet would be. Anyway it was now time for all to get some food, relax and have an early night. The official reports was that this is exactly what happened for both girls and parents, but the unofficial reports from the ‘local paparazzi’ suggested otherwise!!! 

With everyone up bright and early on Saturday morning, first up was the last of our group games against our hosts Carrigaline. We knew this was a must win game if we wanted to top the group and also to try and concede as little as possible. The first half met part of this criteria, in that we only conceded two points, but we also only scored two points, which was not part of the plan. With the girls in for the half time break, it was time for some strong words, as what we had just seen was a long way from where we wanted to be. With the half time talk over, it was now solely in the girls hands as to whether our next game would be a Cup or Shield quarter final. And what an emphatic answer they gave us. From the start it was an early goal for the Lucan girls and from here on in, they drove at the Carrigaline defence. Fifteen minutes later it was Lucan 3 7 Carrigaline 0 2. As Nemo had conceded 1 2 against the same opposition and we had kept St Pats scoreless, it was job very well done by the girls.

It was now a quick turn around to be in Rathmore for 3.15 and a quarter final of the Cup against Dunboyne of Meath awaited. After a slightly delayed start, the game got underway, and the first half was a very tight affair, with both sides not giving an inch. At half time we lead by the narrowest of margins on a scoreline of 3 points to 2, having played against a slight breeze. These group of girls have shown in the past that they are a second half team and we all hoped that this would now be proven to be the case. After a mixed start to the second half, we got the perfect tonic a few minutes in, with a well taken goal. After this, the intensity of the game lifted even further. However it was the Lucan girls who were giving every bit as good as they got, and were up off the floor the quickest every time. Crucially also, it was the Lucan girls who kept plugging on the scores. With the final whistle gone it was Lucan into the semis on a scoreline of 1 5 to 0 2 with another 15 minute half from the girls here they didn’t concede anything. Back on the bus to Carrigaline again, it was now time for the girls to take part in the festivities of the Feile being provided by our hosts as they marched in the traditional Feile parade, and then went on to the club disco.

Sunday morning was another bright and early start. With the goodbyes and thank yous completed with our wonderful hosts, it was back over the Cork and Kerry mountains again as we headed for Glenfesk for a semi final against Southern Gaels of Kerry. The only statistic standing out here is that they were an amalgamation of a number of clubs in South Kerry. With another slightly delayed start the ball was finally thrown in, just after 2 pm. From the start, Southern Gaels seemed to drive at us in waves and with just over 5 minutes gone we were 2 1 to 0 0 down. While things didn’t look good at this stage, slowly but surely the girls got more into it, and started to settle down to leave it at a half time score of 2 1 to 0 2. The girls knew at half time that it was now in their own hands, and while they were now also against the wind, it was clear from the determination on each of their faces that they were not going to go down without a fight. And what a battle the second half turned out to be. From the off it was clear that the only thing on the girls minds was to get that ball moved up the field and try and start reducing the deficit. This they did, and while Southern Gaels also were scoring a bit, with a few minutes to go, the girls had it back to the narrowest of margins on a scoreline of Southern Gaels 4 2, Lucan Sarsfields 3 4. It was now time for one final push, and credit to the girls while they tried to work the ball in for a score, it just wouldn’t happen and the ‘Gaels’ went down the field to clock up the insurance score having won a 45. With the final whistle blown soon after, it was heartbreak for the girls. However, they could have done no more, and they were beaten by a good side, who went on to share the title with Westport after their final ended in a draw after extra time.    

A weekend like this is very much a squad effort, with all of the girls 1 to 20 playing their part. Ellie Larkin once again proved what a great goalie she is and the added responsibility of being captain for the weekend just seemed to spur her on even more. 3 clean sheets out of 5 tells it’s own story. Our defenders of Rebecca Flanagan, Aiso Aikhionbare, Ali Dunne, Faye Murphy, Ellen Dunphy, Aisling Kavanagh and Leah Keating  were as defiant as ever. One full match and two halves of matches without conceding a score is not a bad attribute to have on any defenders CV. As always our midfield trio of Aoife Coffey, Aoife Whelan and Caitlin Maguire, were unreal. Their non stop approach beggars belief. One minute they were back in defence putting in blocks to assist the defence, and the next minute they are up the other side of the pitch throwing balls over the bar. In the forwards, Roisin Egan, Mia Dune, Cora O’Toole, Leah Keating, Charmaine Gahan, Abby Shiels, Aisling Kenna, Lily O’Reilly and Carla Wynne  all worked non stop. Their overall team work resulted in some crucial scores, and even when they did not have the ball, their effort in trying to win it back was relentless. 

We would like to thank all of the support and help received throughout the weekend. The parents of the team as always were of great help, and it makes things a lot easier. A helping hand was always at the ready, irrespective of how big or small the task was. Thanks also to all those who sent various forms of wells wishes both in advance and during the weekend. Finally a huge thank you to our hosts Carrigaline Ladies Football club who could not do enough for us the whole weekend. We look forward to trying in some small way in returning the favour when they visit us later on in the year.

J.J. Hegarty, Aidan Coffey, Billy Egan, Glen Maguire, Mary Kavanagh and Katie Hegarty