We had a very special night in Marley Park last Wednesday 19th as the BSJ and St Brigid’s teams gave a masterclass in open football in front of an enthusiastic home following. What an entertaining game! In hindsight there should have been a sign on the gates to Marley stating, “Not for the faint-hearted.”  

This was a game where control swung like a pendulum, first one way then the other. BSJ dominated play over the first quarter and attacked every ball with energy, gaining a foothold in the middle third and winning most contestable balls. A sweet strike by Orlagh Nolan deceived the keeper and the ball ended up in the back of the net.  The scoreline didn’t reflect this control but BSJ still led by 1-02 to 0-02 after fifteen minutes and looked confident. St Brigid’s then found a little bit of their mojo. They held the ball with skill and had the BSJ rearguard on the ropes. BSJ defended heroically, however, maintaining their structure and keeping their cool. But Brigid’s had clawed back most of the gap to a 1-point deficit and BSJ had not scored in ten minutes. A critical period followed. Some great defensive effort that won back the ball was followed by a good team move resulting in a fantastic point. A win of the next KO saw another score and the gap was back to 3 at half-time 1-04 to 0-04. 

Some breathing space but the sideline bookies were refusing to take bets.  

BSJ started the second period again on the front foot and dominated possession although a few well created chances went unconverted. A niggling feeling crept over those watching in BSJ colours - Were the girls going to regret those opportunities?  A brilliant team move and a super finish for a goal by Emily Adderley seemed to quell the niggle and got the crowd cheering. It was a thing of great beauty. A couple of swapped scores followed but now 6 clear and less than 8 minutes to play.

Alas it’s never that simple. Brigid’s scored a goal to get them back within touching distance with only a green flag separating the teams. Points were swapped as the game moved end to end. 2-08 to 1-08 to BSJ as the clock ticked into the red. Credit to St Brigid’s though for turning over a ball in a dangerous area of the field and working a goal chance, saved by Katie in the goal only for the rebound to be bundled home. Brigid’s supporters embracing, all square & time up.

But the ref found time for a last KO. A lot of teams would have found it all too much, but Katie got the KO away and BSJ had possession. Super work from Orlagh got us up the field within reach of the Brigid’s posts. As the last grain of sand emptied from the hourglass BSJ worked the ball to a shooter. Alice Smyth, showing nerves of steel, took on the strike from distance. 

“Too far out!” “Oh No!” “Pass it!” 

But the strike was true and glided between the posts to win it at the death and give a deserved victory to the BSJ team. Well done to the team (My nerves were shattered).  Congratulations to Aisling Larkin for her POTM performance after her long trip from Kerry to play. That’s what this group is all about. 

Despite the heart palpitation it was a great night out. Come to the next game!