On an overcast evening in Kilbogget Park, the BSJ ladies put in a top class 60-minute all round team performance, showcasing all the skills of the game and doing themselves and the club proud in the process. Those who travelled across to support the team got to see a collective performance that showed what good looks like. This is a team blending experience and youth, with buckets of potential. On Wednesday night, we saw some of that potential realised. This was also a resounding show of resilience and spirit after some disappointment the week before. All washed away in an avalanche of high-quality play all over the field.

Right from the first whistle the team moved the ball with skill, accuracy and a wonderful combination of passing and kicking and I sensed something good was about to happen. There was a silent click. We all know this does not happen by chance. This group have put in months of work; training individually and collectively, including early Saturday mornings in the gym when another hour in bed would have been very tempting. 

I would be a fool to say the result does not matter, but when you see a team doing exactly what they are meant to do, the scoreline takes care of itself. Good process leads to good results, as surely as air bubbles rise in water. The loyal parents and supporters turned out in numbers, and the atmosphere was electric. A cruel last-minute loss the previous week could have dented the team’s mindset, but not this team. Instead, they used it as fuel to ignite a deep passion to perform. And perform they did, delivering as complete a performance as I have seen in all my years scribbling about this side.

The first 15 minutes were tight, with robust challenges and physios busy. Neither team was willing to give an inch. Fox Cab took an early lead, 0-04 to 0-01, looking dangerous with their speed merchants but the tigerish BSJ defence limited their opportunities to frees. Both teams competed ferociously for every ball, but gradually the BSJ girls began to gain control, holding possession and working quality scores to draw level by the 20-minute mark. Superb pressure on the Fox Cab kick-out and a flowing team move saw a penalty awarded which was expertly finished by Orlagh Nolan giving the keeper no chance. This pushed BSJ into a lead they would never relinquish. There was no easing off the pedal this week. Hard lessons teach us well. A brace of brilliantly finished goals from Alice Smyth following great team moves stretched the gap and half-time saw BSJ ahead by 3-06 to 0-07.

Sometimes the half time break can disrupt a team, but the BSJ girls just picked up where they left off. The second half saw a further 2-11 added to the scoresheet with well taken goals by Grace Dent & Lisa Webster, superb build up play and holding possession from all those in Tangerine and an exhibition of free taking from Alice Smyth. The defence was robust all through while super work rate & skill across the midfield and forwards yielded scoring chances and suffocated any chance of a Fox Cab revival. 

Well done ladies, a superb all round team performance. All topped off by a nice slice of birthday cake at the end - Happy Birthday Belen!

A couple of other quick call outs from the coaching group.

To Alice Smyth nominated as Player of the Match with a personal tally of 2-09 on the night. Well done Alice, some super scores in there & very well deserved.

To Grace Dent who rushed away from her college graduation celebrations, away from her friends & family, to play a vital role in our attack. Thank you, Grace. Grace’s dedication to the group is top class.

To Orlagh Nolan who was outstanding again (1-04) on the same day she received the LGFA Player of the Month for August. Orlagh is a genius of a player and makes us all better.

To Nell Breathnach and Grace Lynch who are heading to London and Madrid respectively to pursue their studies. Thank you both for your commitment this year, you will both be missed.

And finally for now, to Elaine Egan, Jenny Andrews & Aisling Larkin who have been so unfortunate and missed out on our recent games with injury. We are looking forward to having you all back with us.