U-16 Division 1 League – vs. Naomh Fionnbarra –10th March ‘18

Saturday saw our u-16 team begin their league programme on the All Weather in Sancta Maria against newly-promoted Naomh Fionnbarra.

Exchanges were even early on with scores hard to come by, but the work rate of our inside forward line of Julie, Ciara Doyle and Sarah meant the Fionnbarra backs were under considerable pressure and this led to our girls opening up a lead. At the back, Kiara was playing a captain’s part and was the launch pad for many an attack before she unfortunately had to retire with a nasty hand injury. She was replaced by Holly who kept the forward momentum going and covered acres of ground.

At half time we had a good lead. We made a few substitutions at half time and early in the second half and all the substitutes ensured that there was no let-up in the level of performance. Anna and Alana hurled an amount of ball out of defence, while up front the Ciara Dowling and Molly fought for everything.

Tougher challenges lie ahead, but this was a very encouraging opening to our league programme.

Captain Kiara still smiling after the game, in spite of displaying the “scars of battle”.

U-13B League – 12th Lock – 11th March 2018

Lucan Sarsfields  4 – 1     BBSE      4 – 0

Sunday in Lucan saw our U-13B team open its league account in its first competitive match against the perennial kingpins Lucan.

We knew this would be a baptism of fire, but the girls were well primed and hit the ground running.

Millie, Ruby and Sophie defended stoutly, while the three Hannahs (Brennan, Bury and Leahy) all showed great skill. Up front Ciara, Grace C. and Lucci kept the Lucan defence busy while Rachael G. was everywhere before having to retire injured before the end.

The match was a thriller from start to finish, with a couple of goals from Tara giving us a one goal lead at half time. We stretched this with a goal early in the second half, but then Lucan exerted some strong pressure to score a couple of goals. Our girls put their bodies on the line time and again and were unlucky with a couple of attacks before we scored a fourth goal. Lucan then closed the game out with a goal, and a point, which ultimately proved the margin of victory.

No shame in losing by the minimum margin to Lucan in their back yard, after a titanic battle. The future looks bright for this team.

The u-13B team who did battle in Lucan on Sunday

Back – Ellen, Hannah Bury, Ruby, Grace D., Millie, Sophie, Lucci, Ciara, Sarah.
Front – Rachel B., Tara, Eimear, Grace C., Hannah L., Rachel G., Hannah Brennan.