Lacken camógs storm into All-Ireland club final

Camogie

Lacken 4-9

Fr Murphy's 1-4

Lacken stormed into the All-Ireland Junior B camogie final with a fully-merited 14-point win over British champions Fr Murphy’s from London in the semi-final at Bray Emmets, Co Wicklow on Saturday afternoon last.

In biting cold conditions, Lacken were the dominant side from early on. While the temperature hovered around zero, the 3G surface was conducive to a fast pace and Lacken hit the ground running.

An early four-point blitz helped settle any nerves and the game was put to bed before half-time when the Cavan side hammered in two goals in quick succession.

The reliable Roisin O’Keeffe opened the scoring, pinching possession from a Fr Murphy’s defender and firing over off her left side. Three more points followed before Lacken struck for their two all-important first-half goals.

A 20-metre shot from full-forward Tara Hogan nestled into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-4 to 0-1. Lacken then raised another green flag when Player of the Match Roisin O’Keeffe latched on to a pass from Linda Murtagh, bore down on goal and flicked to the net.

Fr Murphy’s replied with a free from midfielder Eimear McCarthy to leave the half-time score 2-4 to 0-2 in favour of Marie Brady’s side.

In the dying embers of the match, a melee in the Lacken goalmouth saw Fr Murphy’s manage to scramble the sliotar to the net for a consolation goal; the fact that this was their only score from play was testament to Lacken’s well-organised rearguard and lion-hearted defending throughout.

Fr Murphy’s started the second half strongly, with Katie O’Brien landing a 45 and Eimear McCarthy a super point to leave just six between the teams.

Back came Lacken, though, with an important score by Joanne Moore from close range after good work from O’Keeffe to steady the ship again.

A brilliant score from Roisin Galligan made it 2-6 to 0-4 and the Sky Blues would go on to put the game to bed with two more goals and a succession of quality points.

O’Keeffe and Galligan bagged the majors for Lacken as they pulled away to win comfortably with 14 points to spare over the game but out-gunned English club.

Overall, this was a great performance by the Lacken women, who defeated Naomh Treasa from Tyrone in the Ulster final in their previous outing.

Roisin O’Keeffe was once again superb at full-forward, providing a great outlet as the focal point of the attack and terrorising the Londoners’ full-back line.

Eimear Brady also had an outstanding game; she mopped up possession in a sweeper role and was reliable from frees. Elsewhere, defenders Niamh McInerney and Aine Crowe also stood out in what was a terrific all-round team performance in difficult conditions.

Impressive for the Exiles on the day were midfielder Eimear McCarthy, a former Dublin county player, and centre half-forward Catriona O’Brien.

Next up for Lacken is the All-Ireland final against Westmeath club Delvin this Sunday (2pm, Donaghmore-Ashbourne).

Lacken: Michelle Ellis, Aine Crowe, Niamh McInerney, Nicole Murray, Aoife Crowe, Rosie Crowe-McKeever, Ciara O’Reilly, Roisin Galligan (1-2), Lucy Crowe, Linda Murtagh, Joanne Moore (0-1), Allana O’Brien, Roisin O’Keeffe (2-2), Tara Hogan (1-0), Eimear Brady (0-3, 1f)

Subs: Katie Galligan for A O’Brien, Caroline Reilly for L Murtagh, Ellen Smith for T Hogan, Shauna Coyle for A Crowe, Lauren Mulligan for R Galligan

Fr Murphy’s: Aisling Murphy, Grainne Waters, Sarah Murphy, Kelly Devine, Jessica O’Leary, Aine Fitzgerald, Moira O’Flaherty, Eimear McCarhy, Michelle Mangan, Laura Cleary, Caitriona O’Brien, Aoife McCarthy, Lauren Kearns, Caitriona Donnellan, Bernice Kealey