Lucan Sarsfields B 0-7 – Kilmacud Crokes B 0-5

Lucan edged Kilmacud in a thrilling first game of a Championship double header between the clubs at Naomh Peregrine on 14 October.

Kilmacud, playing with the wind and having lost the group game between the teams, started strongly and put Lucan under severe pressure, but led by Emma McGivney and Cara Ware the defence held them to placed balls, Kilmacud scoring two 45s and a free for a three point lead.

The Lucan girls settled and started to work the ball up the field into the wind. Aoife Breen took a fine point from the right, Hannah Gibbs jinked in from the left but her rasping shot came back off the inside of the post. Not to be deterred she danced back in for a point. Aoife Breen hit the inside of the same post from a narrow angle, and Kate O’Connell brought the scores level with a great point from half forward. Kilmacud responded and with their only score from play of the game, took a 0-4 to 0-3 lead in to half time.

Turning to play with the wind, and cheered on by the usual large Lucan following, the girls tore into the second half, driven on by Aoibheann Scott and Leah Dunne in midfield and the running of the half forwards. Aoibheann levelled almost immediately and rewarded Lucan pressure with points from 2 placed balls. Again Kilmacud came back and a free drew them to within a point. Another free from Aoibheann pushed the gap to 7-5, and from there on the game swung one way and then the other; runs, blocks and near misses at both ends were loudly roared on by the big crowd in the stands. For Lucan the defence which has been strong all year, and typified here by calm efficiency of Aisling Ni Ruairc in goal, and super blocks most notably by Emily Brophy, helped keep out any further scores.

As the ref blew the final whistle the girls from the sideline ran on to embrace their friends; every girl in the squad of 27 had played their part in the championship win.

Aoibheann Scott was awarded player of the match after her four points in the second half, and the trophy was collected by joint-captains Sarah Brennan and Hannah Crowley, whose joint speech was a model of graciousness.

Lucan U14Bs. Aisling Ni Ruairc. Tara Hollowed. Emma McGivney. Emily Brophy. Niamh Doherty. Cara Ware. Kaitlyn Harris. Aoibheann Scott. Samantha Flynn. Hannah Gibbs, Aoife Breen. Kate O’Connell. Saidhbh Masterson. Ella Lacey. Hannah Crowley. Sarah Brennan. Aimee O’Connell. Aisling McAuley. Millie Simpson. Nadia Carron. Susan Jordan. Chloe Beirne. Alannah Fox. Leah Dunne. Anna Rose Kenny. Aideen Somers. Cliodhna Ni Bhuachalla.