Dublin Ladies League Division 2 – Round Up

This was a classic game, with a nice lemon twist at the end. The BSJ line-up was a young team, with many new to playing at senior level. Yet when the temperature in the kitchen soared they showed cool heads and real GAA nous under pressure.

The flow of the game was like a typical day in Boyle, Co. Roscommon: a half hour of BSJ sunshine followed by a half hour of BSJ rain. (This was my attempt to avoid the “game of two halves” cliché.) In the first half, we dominated and scored at will. We played with purpose and accuracy and to a player, BSJ looked like they had been brought up on the same road in Dundrum, kicking ball together every night under the lampposts.

With brilliance comes a little regret, as we left a few goals behind. The Donabate girls looked defeated and seemed ready for the long trek home across the M50. We were 2-04 to 0-02. A big lead. If it was boxing the ref might have stopped it.

What a difference a change of ends can make. The half-time talk did the trick, and Donabate came out a transformed team. If you had told me that the teams had swapped jerseys, or that there was a transfer of money, I’d have believed you. But that’s the terrible beauty of sport; nothing is in the bag till it’s in the bag.

Before we knew it, we were staring defeat in the eyes, having to defend, defend, and defend but the BSJ girls managed to resist and hang in the game. With a few minutes to go, Donabate were ahead by two and in for a certain goal. The BSJ fans shrieked — but the defenders and keeper stood tall. Like the Artful Dodger, we robbed the ball and went on the attack.

The ladies moved the ball up the pitch with great skill and determination. After a sequence of skilful passes, we popped it over the bar to reduce the St. Pat’s lead to one point, with seconds left on the big clock.

The crowd edged forward as the St. Pat’s keeper kicked out. Ball in the air, a scuffle, and the round thing lands in BSJ hands. She beats one, beats two, passes to another tangerine shirt — and then a kick. It floats in the air. Every player, every spectator, every mentor holding breath and watching the flight of the ball… it dissects the posts and disappears behind the concert fences.

With that the sun reappeared, the final whistle sounded and BSJ had salvaged a draw in a game they threatened to run away with and then almost lost. A fair result and a deserved share of the spoils for a Donabate team who showed great resilience themselves after a slow first half.

Well done, ladies, on a great finish. The ability to deliver under pressure will hopefully stand us well in the championship. Well done too to Belen Swords voted the BSJ Player of the Match.

 

With 9 games played in the league the BSJ girls travelled to St. Olaf’s in Round 10. On a nice evening for football the ladies showed their true pedigree and produced a rip-roaring, high-skilled performance as they stood toe to toe with the top team. 

Going into the game, the fans were nervous and with good reason. We were playing Olaf’s, who were top of the table, unbeaten in nine league games, and we were heading into the lion’s den for the local derby. Not quite Celtic and Rangers, but you know what I mean!

We had come off a draw with St Pat’s the previous Sunday, so this was game number three in a week for the group. The third start in 8 days seemed to be having an impact as we started slowly and were 1-04 to 0-01 down at half time. The good news though was that decent chances were being created even if the shooting was a little wayward in the opening 30 minutes. Still, on the balance of play (if not on the scoreboard) the BSJ girls were well in it and moving the ball nicely, with some sweet passing and kicking skills on display. 

Olaf’s had taken their chances, and we didn’t.  A reset on the shooting boots and it was fixable.

In the second half, the BSJ ladies came storming back and put Olaf’s under serious pressure. Point followed point as we repeatedly dissected their defence with good passing moves. The momentum was shifting, and Olaf’s were spooked. “This was not the script,” I imagined going through the Olafs sideline’s thoughts.

We tied the game at 1-07 apiece approaching the final five minutes and were pushing hard for a winner. After a break down the wing, we played a clever ball out left, but the defender read it and cleared. In the ensuing attack, they scored a goal that gave them a cushion. Not fair but when has fairness ever had anything to do with sport?

We attacked again in the final few minutes, but unlike the Donabate game, just couldn’t find an equaliser. In fairness to the Olaf’s defence, they worked very hard in that period and the keeper made a good save in the dying moments after another impressive BSJ attack.

A very promising performance all round on the night. Great skill and resilience shown against a team that has remained unbeaten in their league campaign. A Player of the Match performance from Lauren Burke who put in an excellent performance in the game.

A break now for the players for a few weeks before the cup games re-start and a final league game to warm up for the championship.