Senior One Camogie

30th June 2015

Lucan energised by strong Judes challenge

Lucan Sarsfields 2-11 St Judes 0-5

A determined Lucan squad stretched their winning run to six on Tuesday night in sweltering heat against a game St Judes side.

Judes started with the slight breeze and set up with a sweeper which limited the Lucan attack to long range shooting. The green radar wasn't in good shape at this stage and four wides were quickly registered. Meanwhile Judes were strictly Route One. Faye McCarthy’s booming puck-outs seeking Aoife Molloy on the forty. Lucan centre-back Annemarie Courtney had the luxury of letting many of these missiles through to Lucan’s spare player Niamh Byrne who mopped up as only she can.

On ten minutes a measured Ailbhe Ryan pass was fielded superbly by Laura Murtagh ten yards out. Very tidy finish from a composed Murtagh and the green flag fluttered.

Judes had a good point from play and then another shot - after a great save initially by Joelenne Hoary - which seemed to blaze wide from close range. However, after some controversy a point was declared to the delight of the visitors. If there was a subs bench for Lucan umpires it would be well populated next week.

Lucan got going then with powerful wing-back Avril Quinn and the flawless Kate Britton holding firm. They made good use of every ball. Siobhan Grimes remained un-flustered at full-back. Ailbhe Ryan had two inspirational points from long range after good support play from Sarah Cotter and Sinead O’Toole respectively.

Faye McCarthy made long journeys from goal in the 17^th and 21^st minutes to nail two long range frees as the game warmed up (1-2 to 0-4). Ryan replied with a free for the home side in the 28^th minute and it was all to play for at half-time (1-3 to 0-4).

The moon rose and the rabbits came out behind the far goal as the second half began at 9.27pm on the clock. No need for the floodlights as our eyes adjusted to the declining light.

Lucan continued to take pot shots from the middle of the park now aided by the breeze. No joy with a couple more early wides. No matter. Keep shooting. Judes continued to do well with spare players floating between the two defences. Chaos in midfield.

Judes scored another McCarthy free on 36 minutes. It was now a one-point-game (1-3 to 0-5). However, that was as good as it got for Judes - that was their last score. (McCarthy’s outfield colleagues only managed two points all night.) The improving Lucan defence was becoming increasingly dominant.

Lucan pushed up. Niamh Byrne came out to centre-back which released Annemarie Courtney to mid-field. These changes paid instant dividends and opened the floodgates. Lucan scored 1-8 without reply in the final 16 minutes as Judes ran out of ideas against the quick and skilful home defence.

Orlaith Murphy and Nicole Fitzgibbon came on and got stuck in as usual.

On 40 minutes a double pirouette and a vital point by Sarah Cotter.Then Aoife McKearney had a lovely point. Stylish.

The accuracy improved as the light faded on a gorgeous evening. Homing pigeons at twilight.

Ailbhe Ryan had two more points.  Sam Fitzgerald scored another. Marisa Britton got on top in her corner and popped over a brilliant point after a defence-splitting run. Swashbuckling Annemarie Courtney broke through from mid-field and scored two beauties from 45m. Game over.

Marisa Britton was by now full of confidence and capped a lively performance with another searing run and perfectly timed hand-pass. Ailbhe Ryan had a simple job tapping it into the net.

A good night out for the Brittons.

In fairness to Judes they never gave up and are an emerging force. It was a tough struggle for a long time. They’ll be back.

Looking forward to next Tuesday 7^th July at home to Faughs in the Summer Cup third round. Throw-in 7.30pm 

Lucan scorers: Ailbhe Ryan 1-5 (0-2f), Laura Murtagh 1-0, Annemarie Courtney 0-2, Sarah Cotter 0-1, Marisa Britton 0-1, Aoife McKearney 0-1, Sam Fitzgerald 0-1.

Lucan : Joelenne Hoary, Sarah Courtney, Siobhan Grimes, Niamh Byrne, Kate Britton, Annemarie Courtney, Avril Quinn, Sarah Cotter, Orla Beagan, Ailbhe Ryan, Sinead O’Toole, Aoife McKearney, Laura Murtagh, Marisa Britton, Sam Fitzgerald, Orlaith Murphy, Nicole Fitzgibbon.

SOTS : Kate Britton.

Magic Moment :  Lucan led by four points after 47 minutes when Judes half-forwards broke through. Goal chance. Judes pulled the trigger from 10 metres. Sarah Courtney pounced like a rattle-snake with a perfectly timed total block to prevent a certain goal. Basic skills performed excellently. Magic is right.