U12 Camogie victorious in Alan Cregan Cup

On Saturday the 11th the U12 Camogie team traveled to Erin's Isle to play in the Alan Cregan Cup. This is a ground hurling tournament, only the goalie is allowed play normal rules and even then has to take puck outs as frees. All frees had to be taken as sideline cuts. 

Lucan started tentatively as it took a while to adjust to the ground hurling rule they came through their group as victors wining two matches against Ballyjamesduff and St Peregrines and drawing with hosts Erin's Isle. The opposition in the semi final was a strong Brigid's team who Lucan overcame in a tough battle.

Erin's Isle were the opponents for the final. If the group match was anything to go by this was going to be a very difficult match. The game started at a ferocious pace with excellent striking, hooking and tackling from both sides. Alicia Rooney was tremendous at full back playing a captains role clearing Sliotar after sliotar out of defence. Sarah Brennan's tireless workrate ensured the sliotar stayed in the Lucan forward line, crossing many a sliotar into Mille Simpson at full forward who was unlucky on a number of occasions not to hit the back of the net as she had done in previous matches. The deadlock was eventually broken by a free, which Sinead Daly coolly cut over the bar. Jessica Fitzgibbon in goal pulled off some fantastic saves and hit a number of relieving puck outs taking the pressure off the Lucan backs. Aoife Breen in the forwards was on the end of a  number of these clearances continuing the flight of the ball or preventing the defender from clearing the ball.  Another score from a free and Lucan were ahead by two points a dangerous lead. It was end to end action for the next five minutes, Emma O'Brien was solid in defence as she had been all day keeping the pressure off our goal with excellent striking, hooking and blocking. She was ably assisted by Niamh Doherty whose anticipation was excellent out first to every ball all day. A fast ball out of the Lucan defence from Niamh pulled on by Sinead hit the roof of the net , another free and another point and the whistle blew for half time. The girls knew that Erin's Isle were going to come out in the second half with renewed vigour and they were not wrong. Erin's Isle had the wind advantage in the second half which they started with gusto but Phoebe Shannon at centre back had the measure of them halting many an attack sweeping across the back line and sending long ball into the forwards Emma McGivney was at the end of many of these balls hastling and harrying the defence and preventing long clearances. Ciara Dowling and Sinead worked tirelessly at midfield covering back and driving forward It was a ball from Ciara which Iona Quinn whose striking had been exemplary all day pulled on and rattled the roof of the Erin's isle net. Samantha Flynn sealed Erin's Isle fate with a well taken goal showing her versatility as she has played in defence in previous matches. At last the final whislte blew. A well deserved victory for Lucan girls whose behaviour for the entire day was exemplary both on and off the pitch. A big thank you to the parents whose help and support throughout the day was fantastic

Scorers Sinead Daly 1-3 (3F) Iona Quiinn 1-0 Samantha Flynn 1-0

Team Jessica Fitzgibbon, Alicia Rooney, Niamh Doherty, Emma O'Brien, Phoebe Shannon, Sinead Daly, Ciara Dowling, Iona Quinn, Sarah Brennan, Aoife Breen, Millie Simpson, Emma McGivney and Samantha Flynn