History in the making at Straffan Camogie Club

Sunday evening (26th March 2023) saw the first official adult camogie game being played by a Straffan team in over 25 years. It was a very proud day for our club, and to top things off, the team secured a win! Continue reading to catch up on all of the action in our match report.

Coill Dubh (1-04) V. Straffan (2-07)

First Half

This game was played at Robertstown GAA pitch. The weather conditions were dry but cold and the pitch was remarkably good considering the recent wet weather, credit to Robertstown grounds people. Referee John Mc Loughlin threw the sliotar in just after 6pm and the Straffan midfielders Emer Fallon and Nessa Stagg were on the attack straight away as both girls exchanged passes to deliver low ball up the middle. Coill Dubh centre back Julienne Kelly was on hand to clear the ball to her centre half forward Ellie Rochford who was fouled on the 45mtr line. Goalkeeper Niamh Doyle came forward to take the free and the ball looked to be heading over the bar but dipped under for a Coill Dubh goal 2 minutes into the game. From the puck out, Straffan were on the attack with centre forward Grace Lauhoff moving the ball to Tara Keegan who fired over the bar for Straffan’s first score on three minutes. The restart was sent into the Straffan half back line where Tabitha Thompson was on hand to clean up with a delivery into corner forward Deirdre Smullen, she in turn squared a dangerous ball across the Coill Dubh goal. The full back was able to gather and clear the danger, but only out to her half back line where Aideen Walsh won the ball with a neat jab. After delivering to the corner forward, Jenny O’ Mahoney, a foul was committed as she neatly round her marker and headed for goal. Aideen Walsh stepped up with the free and placed the ball over the black spot in the fifth minute to leave Straffan on 2 points.

The puck out was fiercely contested on the Straffan half back line where Roisin Timmons was going for everything in her zone. In the air or on the ground she was preventing her player from gaining any clean possession. Centre back Meabh Mc Neill was also on hand to tidy up some breaks from these encounters. On the 5 th minute Mc Neill delivered an excellent head high ball to Aideen Walsh who grabbed in the air and immediately fired over the bar for Straffan’s third point to level the game. The Straffan engine room was now in full swing with Nessa Stagg and Emer Fallon chasing down everything to support the backs as Coill Dubh tried to come forward. Time and again they cleared their lines and began supporting the forwards with Emer firing just wide on the 10 th minute. Coill Dubh puck outs were dropping on the Straffan half back line where on occasion the ball got through the cover, but Nicole Jacob stood firm at full back to clear numerous balls away from the danger zone. At corner back Laura Smullen was using her experience to clear up any loose ball while her marker tried to put pressure on her relieving clearances. In the other corner Abbie Keegan was linking well with the speedy half back Tabitha Thompson and both were comfortable in getting Straffan back on the attack. Midfielder Nessa Stagg’s work rate was telling, she managed to find Grace Lauhoff, who linked up with the threatening Deirdre Smullen. She doubled on the ground to force a save from the keeper. Full forward Sarah Behan continued to apply huge pressure in the square, the full back was only able to scramble the ball out to the in-rushing Tara Keegan who quickly dispatched a ground shot to be back of the net for Straffan’s first goal on 16 minutes and giving her team the lead for the first time.

Mae Donnovan and Ellen Lalor were introduced at Full forward and corner forward respectively. There was a never say die attitude about Coill Dubh and as they tried to break through Straffan’s half back line, they were awarded a free 30mtrs out, which was scored by their centre forward Ellie Rochford. During a brief stoppage, some switches were made by Straffan, with Grace Lauhoff moving to full forward, Mae Donnovan moving to wing forward and Tara Keegan moving to centre forward. The puckout from Straffan keeper and captain, Ellen Donnovan, was a key factor in setting up many Straffan attacks as she repeatedly placed ball deep into the Coill Dubh defence territory. The Mae Donnovan switch had immediate impact as she began to command in her wing forward position, while Walsh was becoming dominant on the other wing. On the 24th minute Walsh was to win one of those puckouts and raced through to fire home a cracking goal. This was to become Straffan’s purple patch as they continued to bombard the Coill Dubh backs with some neat interplay. Tara Keegan was on hand to score points on the 26th30th and finally on the 30 th minute with referee blowing up for half time.

Second Half

Following the break, Straffan introduced Sophia O Shea and Ailbhe Collins. Straffan began where they left off and were immediately on the attack as Nessa Stagg drove forward, a foul was committed as she crossed the 40meter line. The free was dispatched over the bar by the accurate Aideen Walsh. Coill Dubh soon had their own free as a foul was committed at 30 meters out from goal, with Ellie Rochford converting on the 40 th minute. They were not done yet and had another free two minutes later with Rochford again scoring. Coill Dubh were now working very hard to get back into this game and again were awarded a free on the 40 meter line. The shot tailed wide, but Coill Dubh were not giving up and their next attack was deflected out for a 45’ which was scored by Rochford. During this time keeper Donnovan was forced into a number of saves and had to come off her line to win some 50/50 races for possession.

The new midfielder Sophia O Shea was buzzing across the middle and delivered many balls into the forwards to keep Straffan on the attack. Her work rate paid dividends when she was awarded a free 40 meters out. With the injured Walsh off the field of play, Tara Keegan took on the free and scored a point. The level of fitness by the Straffan players was now starting to cause problems for the opposition and there were some stoppages as the game went on. The tireless Meabh Mc Neill cleaned up across the half back line throughout the game and her long clearances helped to keep Straffan on the attack for most of this game. Mc Neill was also on long range free taking duty. The game finished on a scoreline of Straffan 2-7 Coill Dubh 1-4.

In summary, this was a good start to the league for the newly formed Straffan Junior team. Coill Dubh will take much encouragement from their first game, and it is clear they are a good outfit, who will only improve as they get more games into this league.

Straffan: Ellen Donnovan(Capt), Laura Smullen, Nicole Jacob, Abbie Keegan, Roisin Timmons, Meabh Mc Neill, Tabitha Thompson, Nessa Stagg, Emer Fallon, Jenny O Mahoney, Grace Lauhoff, Sarah Behan, Deirdre Smullen, Mae Donnovan, Ailbhe Collins, Ellen Lalor, Sophia O Shea, Tara Keegan, Aideen Walsh.

Coill Dubh: Niamh Doyle, Suzanne Carew, Abbie Mulreid, Christine Grace, Faye Anderson, Jules Kelly, Pamela Flaherty, Liadan Peelo Dennehy, Aoife Delaney, Leah Byrne, Ellie Rochford, Blathnaid Tennyson, Sine Tierney, Sarah Jane Connell, Anna Price, Pamela Flaherty, Roisin Mc Cormack, Doireann Peelo. xs