Senior One camogie league – Tuesday 21st April 2015.

Venue : 12^th Lock

Lucan Sarsfields 0-19 Na Fianna 1-4

This was another good night’s entertainment from our Senior One squad against a tough Na Fianna side.

For the second week running, Lucan raised nineteen white flags. This is an indication of a lot of retained possession over sixty minutes. The Lucan defence came under lots of pressure at times especially in the early stages but, again this week, were well organised and remained very focused throughout. The Courtney sisters on the left flank were especially tidy.

Lucan failed to score for the first ten minutes – during which time they managed to post five wides by which time Na Fianna had taken a one point lead. Ailise Dowling was clearing a lot of ball early on to prevent further arrears for the home side. A small turning point in proceedings then; Joelenne Hoary – who was very safe and assured in goal for Lucan all evening – made a fine save away to her left. A goal at that stage could have dented confidence in the young home side. Her clearance was worked to Ciara Casey who pointed from 30 metres. Big swing there.

With their tails up, Lucan then took over. Two good points from Ailbhe Ryan were quickly followed by Ciara Casey’s three points in a row (two from frees). Orlaith Murphy then worked a ball back out of the corner to midfielder Mairi Moynihan who scored from 45 metres. Lucan really hit a purple patch at this stage with Casey scoring twice more from the half-forward line, Moynihan adding another from 40 metres before Casey again pointed from an unlikely angle at the scoreboard corner-flag on the blow of half-time.

Laura Murtagh had covered every yard of the opposition territory in that 30 minutes – causing havoc as she went. The forwards had a plentiful supply of ball in the first half thanks to Claire Rigney who was excellent at half-back and the combination of Mairi Moynihan and Orla Beagan who formed a now-blossoming midfield partnership. With Amy Conroy in irrepressible form on the end of the square, the game was essentially put to bed by half-time (0-11 to 0-2).

Laura O’Mahony scored a huge point for Lucan immediately upon the resumption which paved the way for yet another scoring spree (0-4) from centre-forward Casey who saw off a succession of opponents over the hour. These four Casey points left the score 0-16 to 0-2 after 45 minutes. Game. Set. And match.

Sarah Collins and Laura Morgan had been introduced to the fray by this stage and both had been immediately involved to good effect. Na Fianna pressed hard then searching for some respectability but found Siobhan Grimes impassable at full-back. Sinead O’Toole and Orla Beagan both landed delightful long range efforts in the twilight and Casey, appropriately, finished the scoring with a late free. A night that she won’t forget for a while - contributing 0-12 of the total, four from play and eight from frees from all angles and distances.

Debut this week to the excellent Orlaith Murphy who came off after 50 minutes to a well warranted round of applause with the job done.

Lucan Scorers:  Ciara Casey 0-12, Mairi Moynihan 0-2, Ailbhe Ryan 0-2, Sinead O’Toole 0-1, Laura O’Mahony 0-1, Orla Beagan 0-1)

Lucan : Joelenne Hoary, Ailise Dowling, Siobhan Grimes, Annemarie Courtney, Sinead O’Toole, Claire Rigney, Sarah Courtney, Mairi Moynihan, Orla Beagan, Laura O’Mahony, Ciara Casey, Ailbhe Ryan, Laura Murtagh, Amy Conroy, Orlaith Murphy, Sarah Collins, Laura Morgan.

SOTS : Ciara Casey.