Ladies Intermediate Championship Round 1
BSJ 2 13 Lucan Sarsfield 4 10
Fantastic BSJ Fightback Comes Up Short
Our first championship game of 2023 is one we will never forget. It was a classic game where the old cliches fit perfectly. It was “a game of two halves” where BSJ weredefinitely “too slow out of the blocks.”
We started well and dominated the first ten minutes with at least two goal chances and four point opportunities. Out of seven clear attacking opportunities we scored zero and Lucan who had only four chances scored 1-3. Lucan started to cut out there early mistakes and began to dominate the play with some very neat passing and finishing. They scored some fantastic goals and points. Their defence was very effective closing down every attack by BSJ. Lucan were winning the 50 50 ball and they seemed to have an extra player at times. The half ended 0-02 to 3 08 with points from Rebecca and Orlagh. A fifteen point difference. On the side of the pitch parents were ripping up their betting slips and throwing them in the air. That song I heard on the radio was ringing in my head “Things can only get better, can only get better..”
And true to the tune things did get better. In fact the second half was unreal. The team talk did the trick and the BSJ ladies started playing with extra pride in their jersey. They went to the well and found belief, grit, determination and an incredible desire to fight to the bitter end. Suddenly the passing was accurate, strategic and at times the Lucan defence were left chasing shadows. Every single player on the pitch gave 120% as did the subs that came on. We seemed to want it more than Lucan. Orlagh scored three sweet points in a row and the momentum shifted to BSJ. The gap closed from 15 to 9 to 7 to 3. Lisa Webster, Rebekah Fitzpatrick and Emily Adderley were causing mayhem in the Lucan defence. Lisa scored one goal but came very close to scoring three in open play. The Lucan Dublin keeper had to be at her very best with some super saves. Then against the run of play Lucan some how produced a fourth goal that proved critical before a break from Katie Fearon split the defence and a sweet chip over the defender to Niamh Sweeney produced a super finish that rattled the net. Lucan were rattled and there was a feeling that BSJ could win this. BSJ then kicked over three points without reply then The last kick of the game was a fourteen yard free to BSJ. Orlagh went for goal but the Lucan players massed on the line managed to block the shot and the referee blew the final whistle. We lost the first half and won the second. Inches away from a win, always inches in football. Lots of learnings and lots to be positive about. This is a good team, and they will be even stronger in the next game.
The team was
1.Róisín Toumey 2. Elaine Egan 3.Laoise Tully 4. Ruth Nolan 5. Róisín Crowe 6.Alana Doran 7. Caitríona O’Brien 8. Lauren Burke 9. Kate Barr 10. Emily Adderley 11. Niamh Sweeney(1-04) 12. Dearbhla Nolan 13. Rebekah Fitzpatrick (0-03) 14. Orlagh Nolan (0-06 (2f)) 15. Orla Glancy (0-01) Subs 16. Shauna Garvin. 17. Katie Fearon 18. Anú Ní Mhuirgheasa 19. Lisa Webster (1-0) 20 Rachel Kavanagh 21.Jenny Andrews 22. Isabelle Ryan 23.Nell Breathnach 24. Belen Swords 25. Sadhbh Nic Uileagóid 26. Luisagh Guerrine 27. Niamh Leahy29. Aisling O’Brien
Subs used
K. Fearon for K. Barr, L. Webster for D.Nolan, A. NíMhuirgheasa for R. Nolan, N. Breathnach for L. Burke
Thank you to Jimmy Fearon for the brilliant write up!
Follow your Senior Ladies Footfall Team this Championship! Be there if you can! Here are the upcoming fixtures for your diary!!
