Na Fianna           4 – 0 BBSE                     2 – 5

7 scores for and 4 scores against gives a good indication of the overall trend of this game, where most of the activity took place in the Na Fianna half of the pitch, and our full back line were virtual spectators for long spells. However, not for the first time this campaign, the old adage that “goals win matches” proved accurate. Unfortunately, some defensive errors and a lack of cutting edge in the forward line (particularly in the second half), cost us dear and allowed Na Fianna to escape with both league points.

The game started very promisingly for us and we set about our task with gusto from the first whistle. Katie was proving a real handful and had two goals on the board within the first ten minutes. Then Na Fianna replied with a goal of their own, before Clodagh converted a “45”. We were then hit by two hammer blows within a minute when Na Fianna scored 2 goals. Clodagh finished the half with another point from a “45”, to leave Na Fianna fortunate to be ahead by a point at the break (3-0 to 2-2).

We began the second half positively, and Clodagh and Jennifer both pointed frees, before Jennifer scored a great point on the run to leave us two points ahead. Nevertheless the feeling lingered that we were not putting the game to bed. We hit the crossbar. Balls went wide. Balls dropped short, but still the scoreboard did not reflect the trend of the game. Then, in a late break away, Na Fianna attacked. We spurned a few chances to clear before the ball crossed our line. A few late chances for us went unrewarded, meaning we lost by the narrowest of margins.

It was a day when we should have won, but a lack of concentration at vital times, coupled with a few occasions when we were completely deserted by Lady Luck, cost us dear. Nonetheless, there were plenty of positives. Erin was absolutely brilliant, and the workrate of Julie, Mia and Sarah could not be faulted. In Katie, we have found the makings of a real full forward.

This may be a blip, but the learning curve is still rising – the team is progressing well and the outlook for the year is bright.