Lucan Sarsfields claim the Dublin Minor A Hurling Title

Image Courtesy Máirtín Ó Goibín

LUCAN SARSFIELDS 4-13

ST JUDE’S 2-13

Lucan Sarsfields claimed the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Minor ‘A’ Hurling Championship title when getting the better of St Jude’s by six points at O’Toole Park on Sunday morning. 

The ability of the 12th Lock side to find the net proved the difference between the well-matches sides with Lucan settling into the encounter far quicker than their lacklustre opponents. 

Having trailed by seven points at the break, St Jude’s finally found their groove in the second-half, reducing their arrears to three points by the 50th minute but Lucan steadied the ship in the closing stages to complete a deserved success. 

The winners could not have wished for a better start as Jack Mills made a superb fetch close to goal and his finish to the roof of the net left Tadgh O’Connor helpless in the St Jude’s goal. 

Cathal Martin of St Jude’s and Lucan’s David Coakley traded points as the contest settled but Sarsfields put further daylight between the teams as Páidí Murphy burst through and pulled a low shot past O’Connor from eight yards. 

Mills kept the Lucan scoreboard ticking over from placed balls while Martin did likewise for a St Jude’s team that played their way into contention through a fine Ciaran Fitzgerald point. 

Joe Plunkett was denied a goal by a superb reflex save by Lucan netminder Evan Flynn as St Jude’s continued to struggle against the aerial dominance of their opponents. 

Mills found space close to goal in the 27th minute and while O’Connor thwarted his initial effort, Murphy highlighted his predatory instincts as he popped home the rebound with minimum fuss. 

Having led by 3-5 to 0-7 at the interval, points from Derry Ware and Mills (free) pushed Lucan further clear before St Jude’s began to show the form that eased them past Na Fianna at the semi-final stage. 

A series of four unanswered points from Martin (2), Adam Morris and influential substitute Billy Shouldice saw them gain tangible reward for their improved efforts. 

Killian Costello, who was exceptional throughout from centre-back, helped steady the Lucan ship with a long-distance free in the 49th minute but St Jude’s were right back in the mix as Morris found space down the left flank before producing an impeccable finish past Flynn. 

Crucially, Lucan responded in an instant as a lengthy delivery caused havoc in the Jude’s square and Michael O’Brien remained calm as he slotted home for the contest’s pivotal score. 

This proved a significant blow to the Templeogue outfit and while Martin netted from a close-in free entering added time, Lucan closed out the match through late points from Mills and a deserved score for wing-back Sam Curran. 

Scorers – Lucan Sarsfields: J Mills 1-6 (0-6f); P Murphy 2-0; M O’Brien 1-0; D Coakley 0-2; S Curran, K Costello (f), S Bolger, R Doherty, D Ware 0-1 apiece. St Jude’s: C Martin 1-8 (1-5f); A Morris 1-1; B Shouldice 0-2; C Fitzgerald, O Costello 0-1 apiece.  

Lucan Sarsfields: E Flynn; B Whelan, K Quinn, D Ryan; S Curran, K Costello, P Cosgrove; C Mooney, D Mac Fiaich; M O’Brien, H Greene, O Brennan; D Coakley, J Mills, P Murphy. Subs: D Ware for Cosgrove (half-time), M Byrne for Quinn (36), R Doherty for Mac Fiaich(38), S Bolger for Byrne (47), C Hughes for Coakley (54).    

St Jude’s: T O’Connor; E McGreal, L Flavin, C McLaughlin; J Crennan, O Gough, J Graham; J Frisby, C Fitzgerald; R McCormack, C Martin, R Harlow; A Morris, J Plunkett, O Costello. Subs: T Grace Byrne for Flavin (15), B Shouldice for Plunkett (25), M Hade for McCormack (37), H O’Neill for Grace Byrne (54).  

Referee: Eoin Crossen (Na Fianna).