Lucan end year on song
LUCAN Sarsfields enjoyed a dream end to 2021 as the 12th Lock club secured the inaugural Dublin Under 20 Camogie Championship Division One title in Trinity College Sports Grounds at Santry Avenue on Tuesday evening.
At the end of a compelling battle with Ballyboden St Enda’s, Lucan emerged victorious on a final scoreline of 3-8 to 0-11. Managed by Ollie Mahon, the winners were led superbly on the night by his daughter Aoife.
From a Ballyboden perspective, there was much to be proud of as well. Following an excellent individual display that helped keep the Firhouse Road outfit in contention for large stretches, midfielder Julie Vaughan was crowned Player of the Match.
A new competition that was introduced this year by the Dublin camogie board, Lucan and ‘Boden both emerged from the group stages of this top-tier championship with flying colours. Sarsfields subsequently defeated Kilmacud Crokes in the penultimate round last Tuesday week while ‘Boden had the measure of near neighbours St Jude’s on the same day.
Both sets of players found themselves in familiar territory for this showpiece, having faced each other on numerous occasions in the juvenile ranks of Dublin camogie. The ‘Boden squad was slightly depleted for this encounter, but still managed to draw first blood.
In addition to the aforementioned Vaughan, dead-ball specialist Holyn Kennedy was a key source of scores throughout and team skipper Robyn Flynn also led by example.
They responded with their second point after Lucan corner-forward Sophie McIntyre had knocked over a brace and it looked set to be nip and tuck on a cold but dry evening on the capital’s northside.
Yet Lucan hit top form either side of the first-quarter mark and established significant daylight between themselves and ‘Boden.
Following a well-timed goal by Hannah Gibbs, Mahon (two), Chloe O’Connor and Phoebe Shannon raised white flags to help Sarsfields registered 1-4 without reply during a strong purple patch.
There was to be further joy prior to the interval for Lucan as Ellen Dunphy was on hand to turn home a rebound after McIntyre had an initial effort turned away by opposition netminder Ali Ramsden – a Dublin minor panelist in 2019. ‘Boden did end the half with a free from Kennedy, but found themselves staring into a 2-6 to 0-3 deficit at the interval.
This left them with a substantial mountain to climb on the resumption, but credit must go to Donal Woodcock’s charges for the way they took the game to Lucan on the resumption.
Five points on the bounce – including three frees from the dependable Kennedy – dramatically reduced the gap and offered ‘Boden a fighting chance.
Vaughan, in particular, was beginning to exert her influence and had her side managed to rattle the net during this juncture, it could have dramatically altered the outcome of the tie. Instead, it was Lucan who conjured a third green flag effort to ultimately get themselves over the line.
Shannon and Faye Murphy had helped Lucan to settle again with unanswered points, in advance of the latter rattling the opposition net. ‘Boden did bag a couple of points in a late rally, but their Newcastle Road counterparts were not to be denied.