You’ve got to love summer Wednesday evenings in Marlay Park when the pitches are full of GAA heads, players, parents, and mentors all enjoying the buzz while the sun does its best to break through the clouds. The long, bright evenings are one of the real bonuses of living in Northern Europe. Last Wednesday was one such night, and I’d say the ancient Irish god Lugh, who loved sport and started the Tailteann Games, was sitting on his throne, happy out.

On the two main pitches at 7:25 there were around 60 ladies warming up for a 7:30 throw-in as the BSJ senior ladies took on Lucan and the inters faced St Finian’s. And don’t forget the 20 subs on the sidelines, a great sign that Ladies GAA is in rude health.

This inter game started slowly, with neither team grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck. St Finian’s attacked numerous times, but their kicking radar was clearly off, as balls flew left and right of the posts. BSJ were more accurate, began to take their chances, and upped the ante. After 20 minutes BSJ led 2 points to 0. The BSJ ladies let the ball do the work, with top-class passing and kicking from defence to the full-forward line. The defence was ferocious, producing some terrific turnovers as the St Finian’s ladies attacked. Size mattered little, as many of the taller Swords players were repeatedly dispossessed. By half-time, BSJ were in control with a solid lead.

The second half had the feel of a hurling final, St Finian’s came out like a new team and, within ten minutes, had closed the gap to a single point. How would the BSJ ladies react? Would they shut up shop like Cork, or fight back like Tipperary had in the semi-final against Kilkenny when they went behind with a player down?

The BSJ ladies showed their steel, knew they needed to move up a gear, and soon turned the game back in their favour with some very sweet points and goals. It was an impressive showing for such a young team. St Finian’s never gave up, and every time they looked beaten, they found a point or a goal to stay in touch. But BSJ were simply too strong, upping their play in the final ten minutes to pull away and win by nine points.

A superb performance, and the stand-in mentor leaves with a 100% winning record. Impressive!