Senior One Camogie

Lucan senior camogie rebuilding continues with another win

Lucan Sarsfields 4-8 St Brigids 1-6

This was another excellent performance from a young (average age of the fourteen outfield players who finished the match was 17.4) and spirited Lucan senior one camogie side. It was an un-typically beautiful evening in the 12^th Lock. The carpet-like senior pitch was a credit to everybody involved. The conditions suited the Lucan girls. Their corner-backs marked tightly and their corner-forwards stayed very wide. A joy to watch.

This has been an outstanding spring campaign (given the decimated ranks) and has left management with welcome headaches in terms of team selection for the big games in the autumn. Twelve players were given their first team debuts in the last month – eleven of them are minor.  For the record;

·       Meabh Dowler

·       Emily McIntyre

·       Kate Britton

·       Laura Morgan

·       Jess Condron

·       Emma O’Flynn

·       Nicole Fitzgibbon

·       Aoife McKearney

·       Amy Gorman

·       Sam Fitzgerald

·       Orlaith Murphy

·       Sarah Collins

All these have given food for thought and have staked their competitive claims.

Brigids were decent and had three excellent players in Rose Collins, Grainne Quinn (both Dublin seniors) and the emerging Alex Griffin. These three gave Lucan plenty to think about around the middle. So the performances of Annemarie Courtney, Claire Rigney and Ailbhe Ryan in dealing with these threats were at the heart of  the Lucan victory.

For this match, Rigney reverted to her accustomed left-half-back position, from which she attacked all night in her inimitable swashbuckling style. Courtney at centre-back/quarterback swept up for the hour and passed every ball to feet, while Ryan ran the show at midfield.

Brigids struck for the first goal after 6 minutes when the Lucan defence failed to clear a long free. The resulting close range shot gave Joelenne Hoary no chance. This was the only time she was beaten between the posts on a night when she further enhanced her blossoming reputation as a top class keeper. Marshalls her defence really well.

Jess Condron and Emma O’Flynn stuck like leeches in the corners, got out in front determinedly and played thoughtful ball to their wing backs. Composed full-back Siobhan Grimes has struck up a good understanding with her keeper on the edge of the square which has a secure look about it.

Laura Murtagh made use (through some direct running and fancy footwork) of the space created by the wide corner-forwards Meabh Dowler and Emily McIntyre to score a good Lucan goal after 9 minutes. Sam Fitzgerald’s brilliant hand-pass was instrumental in this score. Sarah Courtney then ran through to point and give Lucan a lead they never relinquished (1-1 to 1-0).

Ailbhe Ryan then took over for a while, scoring 1-4 (from frees and play) – all from long range - to leave the half-time score 2-5 to 1-3 in favour of the home side.

Orlaith Murphy switched to full-forward at the break. This move paid immediate dividends when she slotted two smart points (2-7 to 1-4) by the 37^th minute. Sinead O’Toole took on a containment job on Rose Collins and this freed up Sam Fitzgerald to gather up loose ball around the middle for Lucan.

Sarah Courtney was pressing high up at centre-forward and scored two opportunistic goals by the 50^th minute which effectively ended any lingering contest (4-7 to 1-5). Emily McIntyre grew into the game and had a hand in the fourth goal.  Annemarie Courtney finished the scoring with a late long free (4-8 to 1-6). Meabh Dowler at top-of-the-left got loads of ball and did the simple things simply - and effectively.

Just like Laura Morgan.

Nicole  Fitzgibbon and Kate Britton were introduced in the last quarter and both look very capable.

Note : The free count against Lucan was minimal – discipline (most importantly, when the opposition have the ball) is good.

Lucan scorers : Sarah Courtney 2-1, Ailbhe Ryan 1-4, Laura Murtagh 1-0, Orlaith Murphy 0-2, Annemarie Courtney 0-1.

Lucan : Joelenne Hoary, Emma O’Flynn, Siobhan Grimes, Jess Condron, Laura Morgan, Annemarie Courtney, Claire Rigney, Sinead O’Toole, Ailbhe Ryan, Laura Murtagh, Sarah Courtney, Orlaith Murphy, Emily McIntyre, Samantha Fitzgerald, Meabh Dowler, Nicole Fitzgibbon, Kate Britton.

SOTS : Claire Rigney.