Senior One Camogie

16^th June 2015.

Hoary saves the day in battle Royal

Kilmessan 1-9 Lucan Sarsfields 1-10

Lucan goalkeeper Joelenne Hoary was the star as the girls in green eked out an enthralling victory over the reigning all Ireland junior champions on Tuesday night.

Lucan travelled to Royal Meath with an emerging team and emerged with a deserved one point win after a teak tough encounter. The Lucan girls conceded years of experience against a full strength home side but belied their youth with a mature and spirited performance.

Avril Quinn made her first team debut on the night and on this evidence looks a real prospect.

Laura Murtagh and Laura O’Mahony continued their recent good form with early in-roads down the right wing – helped by a supply of long puck-outs by keeper/sweeper Hoary. Her lengthy deliveries to the half-forwards were a launch-pad for many attacks.

Sarah Cotter opened the scoring with a sweet point from 40 metres. Murtagh then quickly added 1-1 after searing runs. Not surprisingly, the alarm bells started to ring in the Kilmessan ranks. All complacency now gone.

The Meath women slowly got into their stride and brought huge pressure (through county star Aideen Donnelly) and great pace (Megan Thynne) to bear on the Lucan full-back line. The Lucan defence eventually steadied after some initial creaking and U16 starlets Laura Morgan and Kate Britton, who was very assured at left-half back, repelled lots of attacks. Sarah Courtney at corner-back eventually won the tussles with both Donnelly and Thynne. Those battles went a long way to ultimately winning the war.

Ailbhe Ryan then had three points on the trot - one under pressure from 50 metres hard by the left side-line after 14 minutes, while Emily McIntyre was up to her usual tricks in the corner. She managed to evade them all in the 24th minute before being unceremoniously stopped in her tracks with only the keeper to beat. The resultant penalty (with three in the goal) was saved and Kilmessan breathed again. Laura O’Mahony had a trademark point off her left before the break but Lucan had only a slender four point lead (1-6 to 0-5) to bolster them against the breeze in the second half. 

It didn’t last long.

Kilmessan re-started with a whirlwind and had levelled (1-6 to 1-6) after 34 minutes when the Lucan defence was caught napping by a good ball over the top which was swiftly despatched to the net.

Things weren't looking great at this stage for the Dubs. Then Sarah Cotter, Ailbhe Ryan and the Courtneys (Annemarie was at centre-back) evidently decided it would be a fight to the death. Intense exchanges followed.

Lucan re-took the lead with a Ryan free. Kilmessan replied. Ryan scored two more frees. Kilmessan replied again with two more points of their own as Siobhan Grimes, getting a grip at full back for Lucan, did well to prevent more serious damage.

Sinead O’Toole was a loss when she was stretchered off after 51 minutes. Aoife McKearney came on as the excitement grew and no ground was given (1-9 apiece). Joelenne Hoary stood up to make three brave saves to keep Lucan level. These were crucial. In the 55th minute Orla Beagan was fouled on the 65m line and Ryan with a good strike nudged it over (1-10 to 1-9).

Emily McIntyre then hit the post after a mazy run - cruel luck at that stage. Every score would surely be vital.

Could Lucan hold out? Wing-backs Emma O’Flynn and Avril Quinn roared defiantly into the game while Nicole Fitzgibbon came back into the trenches as an extra defender for the last five minutes.

Lucan did hold out. Beagan and O’Mahony finally relieving the pressure playing down the clock in the final minute of injury time.

Good night for Lucan camogie. Tough going. Character building.

Another step in young careers. 

Looking forward to next Tuesday 23rd June in St Brigid’s for the Summer Cup opener. 

Lucan scorers: Ailbhe Ryan 0-7 (0-6 frees), Laura Murtagh 1-1, Laura O’Mahony 0-1, Sarah Cotter 0-1.

Lucan : Joelenne Hoary, Sarah Courtney, Siobhan Grimes, Emma O’Flynn, Laura Morgan, Annemarie Courtney, Kate Britton, Sarah Cotter, Orla Beagan, Laura O’Mahony, Ailbhe Ryan, Sinead O’Toole, Laura Murtagh, Nicole Fitzgibbon, Emily McIntyre, Avril Quinn, Aoife McKearney.

SOTS : Joelenne Hoary.