Sunday 17th of April 2016. Parnell Park.

Under 14 Hurling Feile-Division 1 Final

Lucan Sarsfields A 3-15 (24)​​Castleknock A 4-06(18)

On a sunny afternoon in Parnell Park Lucan Sarsfields created history by winning the clubs first ever Dublin Division 1 Feile title in what was an exhilarating game played out by two exceptional teams. The large crowds who gathered in the stands were treated to an outstanding game of hurling played with honesty, determination, sheer intensity and above all amazing levels of skill. At times people needed to pause and remind themselves that the hurling on display was being played by U-14’s, such was the standard on display, because they sat in awe of what developed on front of their eyes.

Castleknock began the game on top, dominating possession and creating the early chances. They were rewarded for this with an early goal, cleverly dispatched from a rebound, which was followed soon after by a well pointed free. Lucan needed to kick on and a well worked ball from defence found its way to corner forward Oisin Ryan who turned to pick out the on rushing Sean Balfe who scored an amazing point from 45 yards out near the side-line. 

Lucan were up and running and began to apply the pressure. They followed up with four unanswered points from Evin Dowling, Oisin Ryan and a brilliant solo effort from Jake Rooney, who broke through the Castleknock defence with one of his trademark runs, and pointed of his left to give Lucan the advantage. Castleknock were not phased though and following a cleverly worked puck out, and strong run into the Lucan defence, they worked the ball forward to level the scores with a well taken point. 

Lucan were under pressure now, penned in defence, and needed to respond. Cian Duffy, the ever reliable wing back, worked tirelessly to the win the breaking ball from a puck out and laid off a clever pass to Fintan Ward in space. Fintan instinctively picked out full forward Finnan Breen with a pin point 50 yard pass. Finnan turned his man, bravely drew several tackles, and laid the ball off to corner forward Eoin Power who rifled the sliotar to the top of the Castleknock net. 

Lucan were inspired now, their tales were up and they began to dominate. Colm Walsh and Charlie Keher followed up with two more points from play to increase Lucan’s lead. However,just on the stroke, of halftime Castleknock responded.Following a prolonged period of pressure Lucan struggled to clear their lines and Castleknock were rewarded with a second goal to leave the halftime score at 1-07 to 2-01 in Lucan’s favour.

The second half began and again Castleknock started the brighter. Aided by a slight breeze they began to pile pressure on the Lucan defence with long ball into target men in the full forward line. Lucan conceded two goals and two points in quick succession and found themselves five points in arrears. The defence needed to step up and step up they did. Declan Lawlor, a revelation throughout the tournament in a new position at wing back started to dominate. Daire Murphy and Ben O’Toole worked tirelessly to win ball, make tackles, and drive out of defence. This tormented the Castleknock attack at every opportunity.

The pressure was still on Lucan, and the score difference could have widened, if not for the immense efforts of Sean Casey at full back. Sean inspired his team with sheer determination and honest endeavour. Fintan Ward and Cian Duffy began to get telling balls into the forward line. The forwards now needed to respond. Sean Balfe’s clever running allowed him the time and space to pick out Oisin Ryan with a well-placed pass. Oisin turned the defender and scored a point to commence the comeback. Evin Dowling and Charlie Keher tagged on two quick points in succession from play whilst Castleknock responded with a phenomenal long ranged point from a free.  

Time was ticking down and Lucan were minutes away from defeat when a telling run from Sean Harkness drew a free 25 yards out from the Castleknock goal. What followed was one of the most amazing pieces of skill displayed on the day or on any day in fact. Colm Walsh stepped up to take the free, and facing a Castleknock goalmouth with six defenders evenly lined across, he pursued to drive the ball with top spin to the roof of the net. Lucan support rallied in the stands and from the following puck out Evin Dowling plucked the ball from above a crowd of players, drove at the Castleknock defence, and drew a free near the side-line. Up stepped Colm Walsh, and faced with an extremely difficult angle, drove the ball straight over the black spot to give Lucan a one point advantage with a minute left on the clock.

From the subsequent puck out Castleknock worked the ball down the field. Lucan worked hard to clear the ball, particularly Michael Young and Oisin Twamley, but to no avail. Two telling things ensued, Castleknock had won a free and Lucan had lost their talismanic centre back Fintan Ward with a bad knee injury. Credit to the Castleknock free taker though, who faced with the last puck of the ball and a difficult angle, pointed to level the game and force extra time.

Before the start of extra time Lucan were asked to respond, show character and never give up and this they did in abundance. The first period of extra time began, with Evin Dowling now at centre back, he sent a pin point pass to the hand of Finnan Breen, who again turned his man, drew several defenders and laid the ball off to that man again Eoin Power. Eoin turned and placed the ball low into the corner of the Castleknock net and Lucan were off and running. From here they never looked back and tagged on another point from Jake Rooney before half time.

Castleknock began the second period of extra time, and again aided by the slight breeze, piled on the pressure to get an early point. This would be their last score of the game and thanks to no small level of determination and effort the Lucan defence kept them at bay in particular Oisin Twamley, Michael Young, Ben O’Toole and Declan Lawlor who were hurling now with a new lease of life. Lucan were in prime position now and drove forward to get four late scores to put the game out of reach. Hugh Cuffe won two great balls to set up easy frees for Evin Dowling and Charlie Keher. 

The game was now won and the boys will go down in the annals of Lucan Sarsfields history as the first team to claim the Division 1 Hurling Feile. The club, supporters, parents and mentors know this a unique bunch of talented players and couldn’t be prouder of their efforts and attitude to the game. Every one of the panel contributed to the success over the weekend. Roll on Waterford in June where they get to represent Dublin in the All-Ireland series.

Lucan Panel:

Jake Mooney, Daire Murphy, Sean Casey, Ben O’Toole, Cian Duffy, Fintan Ward, Declan Lawlor, Colm Walsh, Jake Rooney, Sean Balfe, Evin Dowling, Eoin Power, Oisin Ryan,Finnan Breen, Charlie Keher, Ciaran O’Brien, Oisin Twamley, Sean Harkness, Charlie Caseley, Hugh Cuffe and Michael Young.

I started to add photographs from Feile to the following link