Senior One Camogie - 15th September 2015

Lucan emerge strongly from stern Mearnóg test

Lucan Sarsfields 3-13 Naomh Mearnóg 1-7

A settled Lucan squad had their second championship win on Tuesday night in perfect conditions against a strong Mearnóg outfit.

Lucan’s disciplined defence was the bedrock once again. The lively Sarah Courtney was in scintillating form at number four and mopped up around a broad area. Courageous.

Ciara Casey had a booming free from out near the Adamstown station to open the scoring. Ailbhe Ryan quickly followed up with a similar long range missile from the left wing. Mearnógs replied with two good points.

On eleven minutes some daylight. A measured Orla Began pass was fielded superbly by Laura Murtagh thirty metres out. Took her on and laid it on a plate for Sarah Collins who flicked very cleverly to the net before a defender moved. The green flag fluttered (1-2 to 0-2)

Laura Twomey had a good point from play for the visitors as the tempo increased. This had the hallmarks of a tight affair. Honours even all over the pitch so far. Championship fare.

Casey had another good free for Lucan who were increasingly using Dublin player Kate Whyte as an outlet in the right corner. It looked like the match-ups were suiting Lucan. Ali Twomey had flashes of brilliance at right-half forward where she stood squarely under every puck-out. Ball winner supreme.

Whyte had two lovely points on foot of the constant supply. Meanwhile, Collins had her second goal from close range. Meat and drink, Ger, meat and drink. (OED Definition: If a difficult activity is meat and drink to someone, they enjoy doing it very much and find it easy.) There you go. (2-5 to 0-4)

As the panic spread around the Mearnóg goal, Collins added yet another goal for her hat-trick while Casey slotted another free from a difficult angle to leave Lucan in front by 3-6 to 0-4 by Billy O’Connell’s short whistle. The homeside push before half-time was ultimately the difference between the sides as Lucan maintained that differential to the end.

Lucan netminder Joelenne Hoary had been very self-assured – full of skill and confidence – in the first half and went on to dictate matters in the Lucan box all evening. Sarah Cotter at right-half back had a dominant half-hour and is settling nicely. Potential.

Ailbhe Ryan had another point from 45 metres before the seasiders buried a brilliant goal on 39 minutes after a high ball into the Lucan area (3-7 to 1-4). That was as close as it got. The Lucan half-backs Annemarie Courtney and the adventurous Claire Rigney went onto the front-foot as Siobhan Grimes and Niamh Byrne shut up shop in an increasingly watertight home full-back line.

The dashing Ali Twomey’s two dagger points then had a demoralising effect on the visitors as their challenge wilted further under another couple of Casey points (3-11 to 1-7). All over bar the shooting.

Mairi Moynihan soon came flying forward to point from 50 metres while Claire Rigney finished the scoring after a swerving run into the heart of the defence.

Ailise Dowling and Laura O’Mahony both impressed when introduced in the half-forwards after half-time.

Dublin stalwarts Caitriona Power, Laura Twomey and Miriam Twomey were very good for a tough Mearnógs team.

Looking forward to next Sunday week 4th October at home to Vincents in the last group match. Throw-in 11am.

Lucan scorers: Sarah Collins 3-0, Ciara Casey 0-5 (0-4f), Ailbhe Ryan 0-2, Ali Twomey 0-2, Kate Whyte 0-2, Mairi Moynihan 0-1, Claire Rigney 0-1.

Lucan : Joelenne Hoary, Siobhan Grimes, Niamh Byrne, Sarah Courtney, Sarah Cotter, Annemarie Courtney, Claire Rigney, Orla Beagan, Mairi Moynihan, Ali Twomey, Ciara Casey, Ailbhe Ryan, Laura Murtagh, Sarah Collins, Kate Whyte, Ailise Dowling, Laura O’Mahony, Sam Fitzgerald, Laura Morgan.

SOTS : Ciara Casey

Magic Moment :  Lucan’s first goal was worked up the left wing to Laura Murtagh who turned her marker and set up full-forward Sarah Collins who doubled the sliothar to the net. Slick.