Breakthrough victory for Lucan camogie

Senior One Camogie

23rd August 2015

Lucan 2-8 Vincents 1-4

This was an important win for a young Lucan side which on the night denied St Vincents the senior camogie Division One league crown.

For this Lucan side, beating Vincents in the league represents progress. No more than that. But no less than that either.

Niamh Byrne and Jess Condron were outstanding all through in the heart of the Lucan defence where the match was essentially won.

Allied to strong defence, the return of experienced leaders Laura Murtagh, Ali Twomey and Sarah Collins - with their self confidence and sense of purpose - made a big difference to the younger girls who played with belief and indeed panache on the night. And amazing skill. The Lucan girls were first to every ball and were so competitive in the rucks, none more so than Orlaith Murphy and Sam Fitzgerald.

There was a hint of transformation into real contenders on Tuesday evening.

This was a signal victory in the context of the seven straight defeats suffered at the hands of the north-siders in recent years and also in the light of the coming championship. No match is an island.

The rain had cleared before the match and the clouds had lifted over Lucan by the time the night was over.

It was a big match for both sides. Vincents needed a point to clinch the league title while Lucan were seeking a morale booster after a couple of defeats recently. So, the win was timely. As all wins are.

In the end, Lucan won by double scores thanks to a flurry of late points. Courage and pure hurling were the hallmarks of the performance of each of the 18 Lucan players which led to the victory.

The young Lucan side took the game to the favourites from Brendan Cooper's first whistle. Laura Morgan and Orlaith Murphy on the right flank of the defence both got involved immediately and were assertive and measured in sending good deliveries forward. Promising signs already.

Laura Murtagh came out around the middle in her usual all-action way. Her disruptive, energetic presence allowed Orla Beagan and the exuberant Sam Fitzgerald - what a find - to express themselves in setting up countless attacks.

Vincents half-back line came under incessant pressure and when Emily McIntyre and Sarah Collins began to rove out from the corners, Vincents' half-backs Ali Maguire, Eve Marie Elliot and Elaine O'Leary were simply overwhelmed.

The Lucan work-rate was massive. Positions meant nothing. The number on the back was just that.

Soon Murtagh got Lucan off the mark with a sniper's point.

Ciara Casey then added a free. Sinead O'Toole slotted a fantastic point  from long range and Lucan were flying (0-3 to 0-1).

Emily McIntyre is quick and brave. Her speculative effort after 19 minutes went all the way to the net after a good passing movement from the defence. Vincents replied with a fortuitous goal of their own on foot of a wicked ricochet but Lucan kept their noses just in front at the interval (1-3 to 1-1).

It had been a great half hour from the Lucan backs where Laura Morgan was outstanding on the wing.

Sarah Collins then had a vital goal after 39 minutes to give the home side some breathing space again after some pressure from the Vincents attack (2-3 to 1-3).

Lucan, inspired by the goal,  then took over. Casey had a point from play, then another from a free.

Laura O'Mahony had her own purple patch at that stage with two brilliant points. Vincents could make little headway at the other end. Casey had another good Lucan point in the 57th minute to seal the deal to the delight of the large home crowd (2-8 to 1-4).

Siobhan Grimes and Emma O'Flynn each made an impact when introduced in the second half.

Joelenne Hoary was as sound as ever and was only beaten by that cruel deflection in the first half.

Laura Morgan was safe and assured in the right corner of the defence and is pressing hard for inclusion now.

Niamh Byrne is back to her very best and had a storming second half, attacking every ball.

Jess Condron gets her first SOTS award.   Richly deserved. When the screw was turning on the Lucan backs in the last quarter and she was pressed into emergency action as an auxiliary wing back, nobody did more or stood taller. She rebuffed wave after wave of white and blue,  repeatedly emerging with the sliotar and invariably finding a better placed green jersey with a simple ball.

Orlaith Murphy never conceded an inch and her goal-saving choke tackle in the final moments summed up Lucan's collective resolve at that stage

Annemarie Courtney played a captain's part covering across the defence. Lovely first touch.

Claire Rigney cleared a lot of ball down the left flank for Lucan and was an important source of attacks.

Orla Beagan is relishing her free role in the centre. Strong on the ball. And under the high ball.

Sam Fitzgerald grabbed her opportunity well; her debut as a midfielder. She has the work-rate, courage and the hurling for the middle of the park.

Ciara Casey's points from play in every match are important; often obscured by her free taking excellence.

Laura Murtagh's athleticism is being fully exploited by Lucan. A crucial piece of the jigsaw.

Sarah Collins' return to the side is important as she brings much needed presence around the goal.

The return of the talismanic Ali Twomey is another bonus; a core building block.

Steady advances in the Lucan squad in terms of hurling ability, age profile and perhaps, most importantly, sheer numbers means serious competition for places now.

No jersey guaranteed.

This match may be remembered as the first significant step for a young team growing up.

A small step on a much longer journey.

A long way to go still.

SOTS : Jess Condron.