We Are Dublin Senior 1 Club Championship Final
Naomh Uinsionn 1-08
Lucan Sarsfield 1-05
A three point winning margin might suggest a close game and while a draw briefly flickered as a possibilty, the reality was that Vincents controlled this game from the start.
The first half was a dogged affair with both teams playing an extra defender for most of the game. Scoring opportunities were few and far between for both sides, but as the half progressed you felt that the challengers, Lucan Sarsfields, needed the boost of some early scores more than the defending champions St Vincent’s did.
With space at a premium and defences on top there were no scores from play and it was left to free takers Ciara Casey and Alison Maguire to get the scorboard ticking over and they shared two points each.
The Vincents defence was outstanding throughout and as the game wore on, their greater level of experience began to tell. The introduction at the break of Aoife Cullen was important and the likes of Sarah O’Donovan, Deirdre Johnstone, Alison Maguire and Áine Fanning began to make telling contributions.
In a blistering 12 minutes after the restart, the champions nailed 1-04, more than they scored in the rest of the game.
An Alison Maguire free in the 31st minute put them ahead for the first time. This was followed two minutes later by the game’s most important score a goal by Eimear McCarthy. Although Lucan ‘keeper Joeleene Hoary got a stick to it she was unable to prevent its passage to the net.
Vincents were in rampant mood now and three wonderful points followed from captain Áine Fanning, from an Aoife Cullen clearance, Alison Maguire with a free near the sideline and another from Aisling Maher.
Lucan briefly quelled the avalanche with a Ciara Casey point but their first score from play did not come until the 51st minute when Orla Beagan did superbly to point. Lourda Kavanagh was also winning some useful possession.
Lucan’s backs particularly Jenny O’Halloran, Annemarie Courtney and Niamh Byrne fought back as did captain Mairi Moynihan at mid-field, but Vincents held the upperhand in defence where Aine Woods and Emma Brennan shone. The introduction of Evelyn Twomey also contributed to their win.
The west county side gave their fans something to cheer about when Mairi Moynihan’s centre was doubled to the net by Amy Conroy. They badly needed the next score to pose some serious questions and while one or two chances presented, Vincents were able to snuff out the danger. Alison Maguire pointed another free and then added a superb score from play when her side needed it most.
Ciara Casey brought her side to within a goal but time and again when Vincents needed a player to step up, the answer was found and when Lucan threw one last assault, Áine Woods was there to clear the danger.
Player of the Match: Eimear McCarthy (Naomh Uinsionn)
Naomh Uinsionn Scorers:
Alison Maguire 0-06
Eimear McCarthy 1-00
Áine Fanning 0-01
Aisling Maher 0-01
Lucans Sarsfields Scorers:
Ciara Casey 0-04
Amy Conroy 1-00
Orla Beagan 0-01
Referee: Gerry McGough
