Sunday 15th October 2017. 

12th Lock. 
AFL 6 Promotion Playoff. 

Lucan 2-7 v 2-8 St Vincents. 

NCunningham. SKeher. CHickey. DKealy. PSloan. AMcCormack. NMcKiernan. TBradley(0-1). MMoran. BCreed. DHerlihy(0-1). GCarabini. CTorsney. JDoyle(0-4). GHamilton(0-1). 

Subs
RDownes. 
SCollins(1-0). 
GTwohig(1-0). 
SSpeight. 

A windy morning at the Lock, heralded the approach of Ophelia, and another Sarsfields - Vincents battle. The wind seemed likely to play a role, but both teams dealt capably with it, in terms of carrying the ball. Scoring proved more elusive. Both teams saw numerous efforts drift wide. This was an uncompromising affair, and a referee that was prepared to let "the game flow", meant there were occasional (frequent?) skirmishes breaking out throughout the 60mins. The referee might reasonably claim that he had his hands full. He certainly found reason to brandish yellow cards to 8 Lucan players. It was tough more than dirty, although that may not coincide with Mark Moran's assessment!

Goals win games. In an equal share of those spoils, it was the timing of the goals that would make the difference. A 29th min 1st half penalty, and a 2nd half goal in the 30th min were both crucially timed. The former put daylight between the teams that Vins hardly deserved, having had the wind for 30mins. A very late point gave a fortuitous 1-4 v 0-3 half time advantage to Marino. After the break Lucan had steadily chipped away at the deficit, but although time was running out, Lucan still showed belief that they could salvage matters. Instead a breakaway goal left 6pts in it. Surely an insurmountable deficit? Lucan seemed to think different. Alan McCormack's layoff to Si Collins was rifled low into the corner. Lucan pressed. Again Vins got up the field and were adept at holding possession and winning a converted free. Their insurance point? Still no backing down. Lucan went to the well again, and another green flag was raised after Ger Twohig pulled on a loose ball. Ref was checking his watch. Lucan had to win the kick out. 29 players in Vincent's half. The sou'westerly blowing was definitely behind Lucan, but just not quite enough. Like her Shakespearean namesake, Ophelia died when we needed her most. Vins won the ball, & ref felt he'd seen enough.

The post match huddle was more upbeat than might have been expected. Yes, we had lost a couple of critical games. Yes, there had been misfortune and errors along the road. Yes, there had to be some disappointment. BUT, there were an awful lot of good days. Does that balance? Sure what else would we be at on a stormy Sunday morning?

Ok. Ok. Losing 2nd Championship Final was more than just a "critical" game!

12th Lock. AFL 11 Promotion Playoff. 

CMcNulty. ETighe. DKelly. JKilduff. CCrowley(0-1). AGlover. CO'Donnell(0-1). 

DParsons(0-1). SSpeight. GTwohig(1-2). CBradley(2-2). MKelly(0-1). CBuchanan(0-4).  DCrowley(0-2). CCarbery(0-2). 

Subs

RMcNulty. (1-0)

MHanley. 

AHardiman. 

ACasey. 

NMcKenna. 

MWallace. 

This was supposed to be a much closer affair. Wanderers arrived with a big panel, and the air of a team that meant business. An early opening point underlined the impression; but it was all an illusion. Callum Buchanan was on the end of a sweeping move, and thereafter Lucan dominated. The middle diamond, with Aidan Glover mopping up any Wanderers attempt to break free; Stephen Speight & David Parsons in full control of the middle; and Cor Bradley lording it on the 40, left Wanderers constantly on the back foot. I'm unsure what happened to Ger Twohig's marker, but he definitely wasn't marking Ger, who repeatedly found himself in acres of space. 

Wanderers continued to take the battle to Lucan, but were repeatedly turned over by a very strong Lucan full back line. Darren Kelly was a pure nuisance on their full forward, and Eoin & Justin both had terrific games. Nothing overly fancy. Get out in front, win the ball. Lay it off, and be available for the return. Expecting big things from these 2 young lads next year. 

Up front Donal Crowley, another young fellow, popped a couple of early points. Ciaran Carbery was getting up close & personal with his opposite corner back. Phone numbers may not have been exchanged, but words, certainly were! 

Lucan led 0-8 v 0-3 at the mid point. The Wanderers keeper was struggling with poor kick outs, and his defence were coming under more & more pressure. The dam broke when a short kick out went astray and Ger finished neatly into the corner of the net. 3 mins later, Cor repeated the dose, and after only 20 mins the result was a foregone conclusion. 

Up by 15 pts at the turn, Lucan were less focused, & a swathe of subs broke the 1st half pattern. The 2 wing backs, Chris & Collie, continued to carry ball forward, & were instrumental in many of the attacks. Martin Kelly added his name to the list of scorers, along with his 5 fellow forwards. Rob McNulty joined the fray, & promptly won good ball on the end line, layed it across the goal, for Cor to net again. Shortly after Rob ghosted across in front of their keeper, as a high ball came in, and neatly palmed it to the net. 

Alan Hardiman, Mark Hanley, Mossy Wallace (in a striking Sarsfields outfit, which was a huge improvement on the old raggety Kerry gear!) Nathan McKenna & Andy Casey were all on hand to see matters through to a successful promotion. Div 10 teams won't sleep this winter!

Finally, Conor McNulty, Captain Fantastic on the day, despite diving the wrong way for 2nd half penalty, had a stormer. Again. No pressure, Conor.