On a bright evening in Marley Park we witnessed another masterful display from the BSJ senior ladies’ Gaelic football team in their latest championship match against Templeogue Synge Street. Our team won convincingly, putting in another powerful performance with six well-taken goals and twelve superb points. Let me repeat that: six well-taken goals and twelve superb points. 

That’s 11-29 scored over the past 2 weeks from a free-flowing attack while conceding only 2-16 at the same time due to the tenacity of a Scrooge -like defence. Credit to the players, the coaches, and the backroom support team.

The game threw in a couple of minutes ahead of the scheduled 6.45pm, mindful of the dreaded winter darkness creeping in. For the first time in months, people were wrapped in heavier jackets and warm hats and those without them were visibly chilly.

It was great to see this team hit form. They picked up exactly where they left off last Wednesday, showing again what they’re capable of. Once might be lucky but twice shows real consistency in putting back-to-back performances together. 

In Harry Potter parlance, the ladies defended with the persistence and aggression of dementors and attacked with the magic and wizardry of Dumbledore. A superb night, with a strong crowd of parents and supporters. Thank you all for being there!

The first half was competitive. After taking early control and leading 1-02 to 0-00, the BSJ girls let a few chances pass them by. TSST took advantage of the “let offs” and battled back to narrow the gap to a single point. Only for a superb save from Katie, BSJ could have found themselves behind despite dominating possession. However the girls in Tangerine reasserted their dominance in the final minutes of the half and a couple of quickfire goals (well finished by Orla & Lisa) pushed the lead out to 8 at the break. 

The opening ten minutes of the second half proved decisive as BSJ added some nice points by Niamh, Alana & Orlagh to push the lead out and a well taken goal by Alana that all but settled the game. Credit to the TSST girls they continued to battle hard, and never gave up, but they were chasing shadows as BSJ held onto the ball for long periods. The BSJ bench was emptied with Laura putting the icing on the cake with 2 well taken goals after good teamwork and build up play. As darkness descended the referee called a halt to a top-class BSJ display, that had just been too much on the night for a spirited TSST side.

Well done to Lisa who was named player of the match with 2-03 to her name, very well deserved not alone for the scores but for the tackling and turnovers she delivered. 

And we all wish Alice a speedy recovery after coming off at half time with an injury.

Besides the coaches, along the sidelines I noticed as always Bernard (scorekeeper and timekeeper) and Claire (the jersey keeper) who must be the team’s most loyal supporters. Also the ever-present Paul who manages the pitch set up and the paperwork every week as well as the Saturday morning coffee barista duty. His talents know no bounds. I think he even had the nets down before the ref’s final whistle — impressive as ever!