U-13 Ladies Footballers complete Division 1 League and Cup Double

They say everything comes to those who wait and boy was it a long wait for this match to finally get going. After being re-scheduled twice, and being re-located once, the AWP up at the 12^th Lock was the only place to be on Sunday at 1pm, as we hosted the Division 1 Championship final against St Brigids. Unfortunately, the elements weren’t kind to us, and on a day when most sensible people were cosily tucked up in their house, it was great to see such a large crowd of supporters up at the club to cheer on the girls.

This was our 3^rd time to play Brigids this year, and while we had beaten them on the two previous occasions, the stakes were now higher than ever, and we knew it was going to be a fight to the end, and that’s exactly what it turned out to be. On a day of continuous wind and rain, it was never going to make for pretty football, and sheer hard work and determination was always going to be the order of the day. Having won the league title already, and being undefeated throughout the year, we knew that the girls were not going to be found wanting in either of these departments.

With the match finally started, it was hell for leather from both sides right from the off. With a blustery wind, scores were always going to be at a premium, and with 10 minutes gone, it was still scoreless. However, we finally got things going on the scoreboard, with a cracking goal from Alannah Cassells. The girls knew in previous games that they had a habit of starting slowly, but this was the perfect start for us. Aoife Coffey tagged on another point after 14 minutes, and while we were now ahead on the scoreboard, Brigids had missed a number of scoreable chances, and it was always only going to be a matter of time before they got going. This they did, and they added on two unanswered point, before Abby Shiels struck for a point in the 22^nd minute. With half time just about to arrive, Roisin Egan added on another point to leave the Lucan girls ahead by 1-3 to 0-2 at the break. While scores obviously win matches, having a solid defence behind you also helps. Ellie Larkin was in flying form between the posts, and made a number of crucial saves and clearances in that first half. The full back line of Rebecca Flanagan, Aiso Aikhionbare and Bella Fay, were also not taking any prisoners and were as solid and dependable as ever. Any team that only concedes two points in 30 minutes must be working as a tight defensive unit, and this was reflected in the non stop work rate of the half back line of Faye Murphy, Aisling Kavanagh and Ali Dunne.

With jerseys changed and the half time talk completed, it was back out into the elements again with the girls knowing that they were now only 30 minutes away from being League and Cup winners for 2015. However, it was Brigids who started the second half the brighter, and before we knew it they were right back into it having scored a goal and a couple of points. Credit to the girls, they stuck with the task, and the midfield partnership of Aoife Whelan and Caitlin Maguire along with Aoife Coffey (officially centreforward, but unofficially covering every blade of grass on the pitch) were equal to whatever the Brigids girls tried to throw at them, around the midfield area. Further points from Aoife C. and Alannah seemed to settle the girls down again, with about 15 minutes to go. This is normally the point in matches that our girls kick on. Today was different though, and credit to Brigids it was they who raised their game and clocked up a goal and a point to leave the Lucan girls 4 points down with less than 10 minutes to go. This was new territory for the girls, and it was going to be a huge test of their character if they were going to turn things around. The bench had already been emptied at this stage, with Cora O’ Toole and Charmaine Gahan interchanging well with Leah Keating, Aisling Kenna and Lily O’ Reilly, and credit to each girl who gave it 110% as they came on and off. At this stage it was now down to the girls themselves to dig deep, and see if they could turn things around. The two wing forwards of Alannah and Roisin, were now starting to win some good clean ball and work it up the field, but still the scores wouldn’t come. But then they did. As she has done so often this year, Abby turned up again to get a goal and this was quickly added to, with an equalising point rom Caitlin, much to the delight of the home crowd. We probably would all have taken a draw at this stage, but the girls were not finished yet. While Abby has scored some spectacular goals all year, it was to be her point with time nearly up that was to be the sweetest of them all. From a near impossible angle out on the sideline, she sailed the ball over the bar. Maurice Fitzgerald eat your heart out!!!!! The crowd on the sideline were now going nuts, and to add to their ecstacy, Aoife Coffey coolly slotted over a close in free to put two points between the teams. Brigids now needed a goal, and to their credit, they drove towards the Lucan goal on numerous times in search of one. However, hard work and solid defending is the bread and butter of this Lucan team. Whatever Brigids threw at them in those last few minutes, the girls were up to the task and they cleared their lines admirably. Six minutes into injury time, and after what seemed like a lifetime, the referee finally blew the whistle  and the home crowd went wild. 

This was truly a team performance with all of the girls from 1 to 18 putting in a huge effort, to drag victory from the jaws of defeat. They should be very proud of what they have achieved this year. 14 competitive games, 14 wins. Thanks also all of the great support from everyone for the match. It really did make a difference on the day. Thanks also to the parents of the girls who have always been very supportive, and in particular for their patience and re-organising of things in trying to re-fix the match.

Team: Ellie Larkin, Rebecca Flanagan, Aiso Aikhionbare, Bella Fay, Faye Murphy, Aisling Kavanagh, Ali Dunne, Aoife Whelan, Caitlin Maguire, Roisin Egan, Aoife Coffey, Alannah Cassells, Charmaine Gahan, Abby Shiels, Cora O’Toole, Leah Keating, Aisling Kenna, Lily O’Reilly.