Féile Peil na nÓg 2016 Division 2 Final, 1st May 2016, Parnell Park @ 3:00pm

Final Score: Lucan Sarsfields 1-12, St. Sylvesters 1-5

Team: Aidan O'Neill,Alec Birnie,Ben O'Toole,Brendan Ruddy,Charie Keher,Cian Duffy,Cian Hyland,Colm Walsh,Derek Cahill,Eoin Power,Evin Dowling,Finan Breen,Jack Lawlor,Jake Rooney,Mark Gormley[C],Oisin Ryan,Oisin Twamley,Paul Tuite,Sean Casey,Simon Morgan,Tiernan Mullen

Scorers: Oisin Ryan 0-5 (2 from frees), Colm Walsh 0-4 (1 from free), Charlie Keher 0-2, Sean Casey 0- 1, Jake Rooney 1-0

Match Report:

This was a tense, tough, physical encounter that was never closed out right up until the 39th minute when Jake Rooney finally got his goal, followed swiftly by an Oisin Ryan free that put 3 scores between the teams. Right up to this point in the match Sylvesters could have levelled with a goal. These two teams stepped out onto Parnell Park to meet for the 3rd time in a week across League and Féile competitions. Lucan had won the last 2 encounters but finals can be a very different story. Previous encounters had been tight and very competitive with only a couple of scores separating the teams at the end. While Sylvesters rely on speed and power Lucan can also do the same but additionally have some exceptional point kickers in Oisin Ryan, Colm Walsh & Charlie Keher.

Lucan came into this final having won all their Féile matches so far, all 3 group games and a nerve wrecking semi-final against Naomh Olafs.

Luan started well with 2 early points from Colm Walsh before Sylvesters pulled one back on the break. For Lucan Oisin Ryan and Charlie Keher scored 2 each to keep Lucan in front, Lucan also riding their luck in this period with Sylvesters hitting the crossbar. Lucan were rattled and Sylvesters went on to pull back 2 points, and but for a brilliant save from Alec Birnie in the Lucan goal would have went level. Oisin Ryan had the final say in the first half with a point in injury time sending Lucan in 0- 7 to 0-3 up at half time, still only 2 scores between these two teams and neither looking like giving up the fight.

Lucan started stronger in the 2nd half with Colm Walsh and Sean Casey taking a point each. This was followed by 1 each for Lucan & Sylvesters and another great save from Alec Birnie, keeping Lucan hopes and hearts alive until finally Sylvesters broke through the Lucan defence and scored a goal set up from a well worked free. Scores now standing @ 0-10 to 1-4, 1 score between the teams with10 minutes to go. The game was there to be won by Sylvesters or lost by Lucan. Both teams went at it with power and determination, each player digging deep into their physical and mental reserves on this the 5th game of a gruelling weekend’s competition. Lucan held out and Colm Walsh scored a point, 2 scores between the teams, 9 minutes to go. An exhausted Sean Casey was replaced by Paul Tuite. Then in the 38th minute Jake Rooney went on another of his powerful runs directly into the heart of the Sylvesters defence, layed off the ball, continued his run, got on the end of the final pass from substitute Paul Tuite and finished with a well-deserved goal. Some relief for Lucan, problems for Sylvesters, 2 scores between the teams, 2 minutes to go. Within a minute Lucan had won a free, Oisin Ryan converted, 3 scores between the teams with less than a minute to go. The Lucan side-line could finally relax and enjoy the last 30 seconds on the game. It finished Lucan 1-12, Sylvesters 1-5.

Féile Peil na nÓg 2016 Division 2 Final, 1st May 2016, Parnell Park @ 3:00pm

Lucan winning out in the end having never been behind in the game. A brave and physical encounter from two tired teams.

On an overall team performance basis Colm Walsh & Jake Rooney won the midfield battle with their superb fielding and powerful forward runs respectively. Evin Dowling’s positional sense and darting, weaving runs were always a problem for the opposition, Evin always showing for the ball when needed. On the scoring side Oisin Ryan had a superb day converting some exceptional points from play with Colm Walsh also contributing significantly to the points tally at critical times in the game. Charlie Keher & Sean Casey finishing off the overall points tally for Lucan. On the defensive side Finan Breen was immense at centre back winning a critical battle against Sylvester’s’ centre forward, himself a powerful runner and ball winner. On the less glamorous side in the Lucan half back line Cian Duffy & Ben O’Toole were very effective and put in two brilliant man-marking shifts on key Sylvesters’ players. Corner forwards Oisin Twamley & Mark Gormley posed a constant threat to the Sylvesters’ defence while Brendan Ruddy and Jack Lawlor came off the bench to good effect. At the back Aidan O’Neill and Eoin Power kept Sylvesters’ corner forwards scoreless and Derek Cahill at full back was as reliable as ever making a number of crucial dispossessions and clearances. Simon Morgan and Tiernan Mullen were called from the bench in the second half to relieve tired Lucan players and held up their roles well. And finally to goalkeeper Alec Birnie who put in a match winning performance making two brilliant saves to keep Lucan in the game. It took the whole squad to get this over the line and not forgetting the injured Cian Hyland who was with us all the way through the competition. This game was very much the story of individual battles won and lost and Lucan effectively won it from the middle third enabling team captain Mark Gormley to proudly lift the Division 2 Féile 2016 Cup.

match stats supplied by John Mullen