Ladies Intermediate Dublin Championship Round 2

BSJ Ladies 4-10 ​St. Maur’s 5-11

BSJ Ladies Narrow Defeat to the Top Team

BSJ Ladies welcomed St. Maur’s to Marley in the second group game of the Intermediate Championship. After a narrow defeat away to Lucan in Round 1 the fixture represented a tough test against a St. Maur’s outfit who comfortably topped Div 2 of the senior league.

In warm and dry conditions both teams served up some fine football. Ballinteer started the game with plenty of attacking intent and despite conceding the first 3 points of the game got a foothold following a penalty expertly converted by Orlagh Nolan. This score settled the team and was followed byexcellent team-worked points and further boosted by major scores from Lisa Webster and Rebekah Fitzpatrick. The defence was well on top at this stage and despite conceding a goal against the run of play just before half time the feeling was that the team were well worth their 6-point half time lead(3-6 to 1-6) and perhaps could have been a couple of scores better than this. The favourites from St. Maur’s looked a little rattled. The half time break came at a good time for the visitors, however, and they came out very strongly in the opening minutes of the second half. The healthy BSJ lead that had been built over the first 30 minutes was almost immediately clawed back with St. Maur’s hitting an unanswered 2-2 inside 5 minutes of the restart. With their confidence now restored St. Maur’s stretched their lead to 7 points at the midway point of the half.

At this stage the Ballinteer ladies rallied again, getting on top around the field, to put the Maur’s defence under huge pressure. The gap was closed to 4 points with a few minutes to go after a fantastic finish from Orlagh Nolan who converted a 21-meter free to the top corner of the net. It was all Ballinteer at this stage with the Maur’s girls in all out defence. And in a game of very small margins, it could have turned completely around, when Orlagh Nolan drove a rasping shot off the crossbar in a frenetic final 5 minutes.

When the final whistle sounded, and the dust settled, it felt like an opportunity lost for the Ballinteer ladies. Having managed to get into a very strong position at the end of the first period a slow start just after the break gave St. Maur’s a way back into the game. Huge credit must go to the Ballinteer girls for the spirit they showed all through the game and the quality of their play particularly in the first half and again in the final 10 minutes when they threw everything at the St. Maur’s defence.

Next up is a visit to Parnell’s on Wednesday 13th where a win could set up an interesting final game the week after at home versus O’Dwyers. All support would be greatly appreciated!

BSJ Senior Ladies - Róisín Toumey, Elaine Egan, Laoise Tully, Ruth Nolan, Roisin Crowe, Alana Doran, Catriona O’Brien, Katie Fearon, Caoimhe Brennan, Lauren Burke, Orlagh Nolan, Anu Ni Mhuirgheasa, Rebekah Fitzpatrick, Orla Glancy, Lisa Webster, Ellie O’Connor, Kate Barr, Shauna Garvin, Dearbhla Nolan, Belen Swords, Niamh Leahy, Emily Adderley, Nell Breathnach, Sadhbh Nic Uileagoid, Jenny Andrews, Niamh Casey.

Match Report - Jimmy Fearon

Photos - Paul Lundy. Lots more here!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support! Next home game is Wed 20th under lights v O’Dwyers. Be there if you can!