Dowling cracker key as Sars start strong

A YOUTHFUL Lucan senior camogie squad put in a dogged display to win their first match of the Dublin League in midweek at St Brigid’s.
The scoring was very low in the early stages thanks mainly to the Lucan defence who were battling into a fresh breeze. Keeper Annemarie Courtney was required to demonstrate faultless handling while Kate Britton had an uneventful first half but was called into action many times later on.
The other five backs all showed their experience and ability for the hour.
Mairi Moynihan, Ailise Dowling, Laura Murtagh and Sam Fitzgerald all put in serious shifts at midfield at different stages against the strongest home sector. Achieving parity here was crucial to the ultimate victory
Two early points from play by Kate Whyte settled early nerves while Ailbhe Ryan slotted a couple of frees to leave the sides level after 22 minutes, 0-4 to 0-4.
A goalmouth scramble was eventually dispatched first-time to the net by the in-rushing Ryan to leave the visitors with a two-point cushion.
Ailbhe Ryan had two more points in the 37th minute and 44th minute, after a lovely pass back from Laura Murtagh, to strengthen their position.
However, St Brigids made a good push in the fourth quarter against the wind and were well in the game with seven minutes to go at 0-6 to 1-6).
The game changed in a minute, however, when a long ball into the Lucan square hopped on the crossbar and luckily for Lucan went over for only a point.
Immediately, Moynihan broke through for an inspirational point and Dowling had the match winning goal after an amazing strike from 25 metres on the run after good approach work by the Lucan forwards.
Ryan scored another free in the end – it was academic at that stage. The tie also featured Lucan debuts for Rhiannon Withero, Orla Sadlier, Yazmin Kilduff and Jessie McClelland.