A dramatic end on Tuesday night in the club, but a resolute Jnr A football team held out for a great win and are through to yet another Junior football Championship Final.  Our Minor B hurlers lost out in a semi final on Wednesday night, a very good performance but were just that bit unlucky against a team from a higher league. Well done to all involved on a strong year overall. A Good win for our U21 footballers on Saturday, they made hard work of the second half but held out for the one point win. Minor A Ladies footballers went down in the the Semi Final of the A Championship to a strong NaFianna, still a very good year for this young team, who stepped up from Div 2 to the A Championship and making a semi-final is a great achievement, so a big well done, I am sure they’ll be aiming to go further next year. Of course our Minor B Ladies secured the Shield title over the weekend, a storming second half saw them run out 12 point winners, a great performance. Our 16 footballers lost out in Championship Qtr Final, a gallant performance against a very fancied and strong Skerries Harps teams, again this team went up to the A Championship and performable very well, to secure passenger from the group, so well done to all involved.  The 15B hurlers added to their impressive year with the Shield title, unfortunately the 15A Final was postponed due to a unplayable pitch. Our Minor Camogie girls had a mixed bag, 1 win, 1 draw and a loss. The A team with lot of heart and determination, snatched the win in impressive fashion at the end vs a strong Kilmacud Crokes, the 2^nd team had a good draw, following a tough encounter vs Kilmacud Crokes also, the 3^rd team lost out to a Erin’s Isle, still a great achievement to have so many teams competing.

This coming weekend see both U21 hurling teams in Championship action. On Saturday, the A team are at home in the Semi-Final vs BSJ 2pm, the B team are away in the Qtr Final vs Good Counsel.  The 3 Minor Camogie teams are all in Championship action again on Sunday. The Junior Football Final is fixed for Sunday at 1pm in Sean Moore Park.

Once again some of our teen members in Lucan Sarsfields volunteered with our Healthy Club Committee this morning to help make 250 sandwiches for the ICHH Outreach Service.  The teenagers who made the sandwiches, willingly helped out and this is such a worthwhile use of their time and effort and is a great way to help the less fortunate in our wider community.  Thanks to SuperValu Lucan for the bread and to Cormac McCarthy and Glanbia Ireland for supplying the butter, cheese and other extras like some soup and smoothies. A big thanks to Des O'Brien for delivering the sandwiches into the Inner City Helping Homeless. These sandwiches will be distributed to the homeless in Dublin city centre tonight.  The Healthy Club Committee will run this event again and if anyone would like to get involved in sponsorship or helping make sandwiches please contact us.

The Club’s AGM will be held on the 21st November. Nomination forms are available on club website here, motions and nominations to be submitted to the secretary no later than the 7^th November

Annual Remembrance Mass – The Club Mass for deceased members and friends will take place THIS Thursday November 7^th at 8pm.  Please join us as we remember them.

We will be again holding the Christmas Craft Fair this year, it will be on held on Saturday 14^th December in conjunction with out Academy Christmas Party. If interested in a stall contact Jackie Foley 086 6776122 or jackiefoley10@gmail.com

Lotto There was no winner of the lotto on the 31^st October, Numbers were 3, 22, 23 and 28. Next weeks’ jackpot is €15,800, next draw will be managed by Frank Fleming and is sponsored by Coláiste Laichtín, Inis Oírr. Lucky Dips (€30): Sarah Power, Neil & Jacinta McKelvey, Bernie Dobbs, Dennis McGillicuddy, Jackie Quinn. Play Online here, Or Tickets can be purchased at the Club, or in Kenny’s Vesey Arms.

GAA for All (SARS Stars) is every Tuesday 5.15-6pm. This provides training for children with disabilities age 5-12. Newcomers always welcome, it has now moved in doors for the Winter and will be held in Schoil Mhuire.

Bingo Wednesdays 8:30pm.

Zumba Classes is on Tuesdays 8PM

Cúpla Focal Club is on Mondays, time 8pm-9pm, two groups, beginners and advanced, learn to speak Irish in a fun way..interested? Fáilte roimh cách.

The Twelfth Lock Café our Club Community Café is open Mon – Fri 6:30-9pm. Sat & Sun 9.30am to 1.30pm.

Club Shop is OPEN Thursdays 7-8.30pm and Saturdays 10am-12.

The Lucan Credit Union Academy is on Saturday mornings 9.30am for girls, 10am for the boys.

The Lucan Sarsfields GAA Club 25 Card Drive has resumed and is on every Friday until May 2020 in the Clubhouse Bar.  Time: 8.00pm Sharp  1^st Prize: €50, 2^nd Prize if 3 or more tables   

Entry: €5 per person Records will be kept of the number of games won by all players (in the 12 games played at each table) over the season. Entry fees that exceed the prize money each night will be accumulated as prizes for the top players over the full season. Everyone is welcome - from beginners to those who played years ago and would like to resume playing so please spread the word! Club membership is NOT a requirement. Call Bill Ryan for further information at 086-8500376.

Minor A Camogie Championship Report
Date: 03 Nov 2019
Venue: Lucan Sarsfields AGP
Lucan Sarsfields Vs Kilmacud Crokes

FIRST HALF
Winter is here and a dull day dawned with a change of venue due to heavy and persistent rain. Undeterred, the Lucan Sarsfields Minor A Camogie team lined out against Kilmacud Crokes for their opening match of the short but intense minor championship season. An enthusiastic set of supporters lined the pitch, familiar faces providing vocal support. The opening exchanges saw Lucan with the greater share of possession which saw much of the play at the Crokes end. Despite this, Lucan emerged from this period with one point. Crokes, not to be kept down for long, pressed back and after some fierce exchanges emerged with three points and a goal. Lucan's experienced heads dug deep and slowly pulled back point by agonising point to stay within touching distance. It is salient that Lucan conceded 10 frees to Croke's 6 in the first half evidence of Croke's drive to put this fixture in the bag early. But they could not quite shake off Sarsfields who were biting at their heels.

The first half ended Sarsfields 0:5 to Croke's 1:5.

SECOND HALF

The second half began with an early goal and point for Crokes who strained to pull away from Lucan. In keeping with the plot of this intriguing game it is important to recognise the Crokes keeper who was imperious in front of her net and looked to have set up an impenetrable barrier. This would prove significant in a contest whose rhythm was increasingly favouring the goal scoring team. Not to be outdone, Lucan's keeper, Alicia Rooney, played a steady hand batting down dangerous strikes with Emma O'Brien blocking two potential scoring strikes from point blank range. Crokes were in the lead for nearly the entire game and proved fierce opponents. It was the experienced Lucan players who showed the way and Aoife Mahon possessed the unerring eye and sang-froid of a great free taker taking points when they presented themselves. Another experienced player, Laura Quinn, the outfield maestro duly steadied the ship with consistent scoring keeping Crokes on the near horizon. Notable defensive play from Ali Dunne, Aoife Byrne and the industrious Millie Reid saw her scurry again and again out of defence with ball in hand denying opportunities to their opponents. A well taken point by Ellen Dumphy after a storming run up the field was quickly followed by a Chloe O’Conner point which helped close the gap. It was in the final minutes with Lucan trailing three points that, and it might be somewhat whimsical to say, Lucan unfurled a series of plays that perfectly framed their patient tapestry of play up to that point. It began with a swift exchange of passes from Phoebe Shannon to Laura Sharkey who sent a tantalising ball across goal to be batted down by Faye Murphy for a very near miss. A portent that Lucan was coiled. A devastating series of strikes followed and founded on the most tenacious play by all players saw hard-won sliotar after sliotar penetrate the Croke's half. The Croke's keeper, who had not set a foot wrong all game, was undone by a dizzying run and strike by Laura Quinn which saw the sliotar in the back of the net. Lucan had sprung and did so again with a dangerous high ball approaching the Croke's keeper. The only chance to beat the keeper was a brave head on charge and bat down strike which Ciara Crosbie delivered with aplomb scoring a second and winning goal for Lucan.

It must be said, a devastating end to the game for Crokes who played a fine game and well done to the Lucan girls. A gritty performance which will set them up well for the next game.

FINAL SCORE:
Lucan Sarsfields 2:13 Kilmacud Crokes 2:10

Ladies Football Report

U9LF Date: Sunday 3td November Venue: Naomh Barrog

The U9 girls played their end of season blitz in Kilbarrack today. They played against teams from Naomh Barrog and Scoil Ui Chonaill. The girls played well with some lovely scores taken in tight conditions. They were all delighted with their medals.

The girls have shown great improvement in their skills since January and are looking forward to next year.

28 October 2019 U16 Division 6 Championship Final

Lucan Sarsfields 2-02, 5-09 O'Dwyers

Final day came for this group of u16b girls with great excitment after a great run of 4 wins in the championship. This game was the last for this group at Juvenile level and while the result didn't go their way they fought to the end as per usual. Congraths to O'Dwyers and now we take this group to the next level in their ladies football pathway to minor 2020. Thanks to the club to great hosts on final weekend, parents and mentors for all the effort over the years with this group. Beidh lá eile againn. GRMA.

Juvenile Football Report

Many of the Lucan juvenile football teams are now finished competitive action for the year but there are still teams in championship and league action.

The U-13A team completed their Division 2 league campaign with another excellent win over Ballinteer St. Johns on a score line of 5-16 to 2-16 in a very high scoring and entertaining game. This now leaves this team finishing second in their league and they await news if there is a further play off to finish the year off.

On Saturday both U-16 teams were supposed to be in championship action. In the Under 16 C Shield, Lucan received a walk over from Good Counsel Liffey Gaels.

In the Under 16 A championship, Lucan travelled to face a fancied Skerries Harps side in the quarter final.

Date:                                     2nd November, 2019     

Venue:                                 Skerries Harps

Opposition:                        Skerries Harps

Competition:                     U16A Football Championship Quarter-Final

Final Score:                         Skerries Harps 4-15, Lucan Sarsfields 2-13

Match Report:

Probably Lucan’s toughest assignment to date versus a team who finished joint top of Division 1. In wet conditions, Skerries got off to a flier and settled in with a few early goals, however Lucan soon settled into their stride and played some great football with fast ball through hands that caused Skerries defence all sorts of problems and began to claw back their lead. It was nip and tuck for the remainder of the half with Skerries leading 3-8 to 0-8 at half time.

Weather conditions dis-improved considerably as the second half began, and Lucan this time began the strongest scoring 1-2 without reply in the opening 10 minutes to leave us 4 points behind. Momentum was swinging our way but then a goal from Skerries against the run of play settled their nerves. However, Lucan were still well in the game and another 1-9 in the last 15 minutes was a great return but unfortunately not enough at the end of the day.

This was a far closer game than the score line suggested and great credit to the Lucan boys for the teamwork, intensity and effort they brought.

On behalf of all the mentors we want to thank the players for their commitment. It is less than a year ago that they were playing in Division 3 and unlucky this year not to be promoted from Division 2. There has been great progress made and lads have shown self-belief in what they are capable of. If they stick together it all bodes well for them playing minor next year.

A big thanks to the parents and support over the years and long may this continue. A special thanks to Declan O’Shaughnessy who has committed so much of his time to the team over the past 3 years and his experience and encouragement that he has brought. Finally, we must also remember all the mentors involved at different stages from nursery onwards, again many thanks.

Squad – Adam Gilmore, Neil O’Leary, Aidan Sheary, Cillian Morrissey, Rian Carey, Jamie Lavin, Sean Quigley, Jack O’Donnell, Sam Noctor, Tony Mulqueen, Jack Lawlor, Matthew Coogan, Brendan Kavanagh, Adam Whyte, Samuel Keogh, Ryan Lynch, James Finn, Rheece Lamphiere, Ciaran Scully, Hugh Cuffe, Sean Harkness, Louis Butler, Shane Coffey, Stephen Ramsay, Cathal Doody, Matthew Byrne-Guilfoyle.

Well done to all the teams competing during the week.

Adult Hurling Report

Midweek action this week saw Lucan's Minor B's lose out to Clanna Gael in a championship semi-final, bringing and end to their long season in which they were very competitive in both league and championship. This team has developed some fine hurlers who are well ready to progress to adult ranks next year. See match report below.
Next weekend the U21s are in action with our U21A's playing a home semi-final against Ballinteer St Johns on Saturday at 2.30pm at 12th Lock. Meanwhile the u21Bs commence their campaign in the 'C' Championship in a quarterfinal away to Good Counsel at the same time. Support greatly appreciated for these teams.

Minor B Hurling Championship Semi-final: Lucan Sarsfields 1-7 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 0-12.

A large crowd gathered at the 12th Lock to watch the Minor C Championship semi-final vs. Clanna Gael Fontenoy on Wednesday night. Whether this was solely to support our Minor Bs or to get a close up of the visiting manager, Nicky English - dual All-Ireland winner, with another added as manager, remains unclear! No matter, the support was appreciated and added to the atmosphere of this re-fixed match which was played under lights. Clanna Gael had finished mid-table in Div 3 in the league but so had Cuala whom we drew with in our last group game so a close encounter was expected.

Lucan started well and got two points on the board from a Liam O'Connor free and a Hugh Cuffe score from play having been put through by Oisin Twamley. Clanna Gael had two wides in reply. There was a strong cross-field wind blowing up from the juvenile pitch making accurate shooting a challenge. Clan got two points themselves - one a placed ball also - before O'Connor added another free when Twamley's progress was halted. Cathal Shanahan followed up with a run into the square and was dragged down resulting in a penalty for the home team. The strike was always rising however and we moved into a two point lead. As the half moved on, Clan added two points from play with another O'Connor free leaving the slimmest of margins between the teams at the break.

Clan's shooting improved in the second half and despite an opening wide, they added the next three scores to lead by two. A Sean Balfe strike off his left when under pressure from a physical full-back line found the net to move us back in front by one. Clan replied with a point before another O'Connor free moved us back in front. Clan then added another two points to retake the lead as both sidelines and spectators alike became more animated. Another barnstorming Shanahan run from deep resulted in a kicked ball going agonisingly wide. An O'Connor free worked into Cuffe who converted smartly tied the match with two minutes remaining and the tension continued to rise. However, two late frees were added by Clan whose free-taker was starting to find his range despite a number of earlier misses. Lucan battled bravely until the final whistle but ultimately ran out of time against more physical opponents who had a strong spine in the team.

With such a close finishing margin, the post-mortem yielded a number of what-ifs. Both sides put over 0-5 from placed balls but 0-7 from play for the visitors against 1-2 from the home team was decisive. Clan also had eleven wides to Lucan's six (four frees missed to Lucan's two). Whilst it would not have been daylight robbery had Lucan sneaked it, the number of attacks by the visitors resulting in some brilliant saves from Matthew Coogan in the Lucan goal highlighted the overall strength of our opponents.

Lucan proved resilient and enduring in the championship and this match was no different. Matthew Coogan gave a great display in goals. Best in defence were Ciaran O'Brien and Niall Murray. Liam O'Connor battled well in midfield and Cathal Shanahan and Hugh Cuffe were both lively in the forwards. Final score: Lucan 1-7 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 0-12.

Lucan Team & Subs: M Coogan; D Coogan, C O'Brien, S Egan; N Murray, R Moloney, D Murphy; L O'Connor (0-5f), J McCarthy; O Twamley, C Shanahan, N Browne; M Daly, C Casely, H Cuffe (0-2); L Power, S Balfe (1-0), D Donnelly; C Sharkey, M Connolly, P O'Leary, S O'Leary, J Mooney