It was Semi-final Sunday as our seniors and minors were both seeking a championship final place and Kilmacud Crokes provided the opposition for both.  Mixed fortunes was the outcome as the Minors progressed but the seniors bowed out. Match reports below.

MHC Semi-final: Lucan Sarsfields 3-15 Kulmacud Crokes 1-14.

Lucan made the most of a strong wind at their backs in a dominant first half display that saw them lead 3-10 to 0-5 at half time. A goal burst that yielded 3 in 15 minutes, and some great point scoring from play were the highlights of an impressive opening period. The goals came from Alan Murphy and Harry Ladd who both flicked home adeptly from close range, and from Herkus Sviglinskas whose long range strike deceived the Crokes defence and goalkeeper. Kilmacud did rally somewhat in the second half with the wind in their favour and had the Lucan defence under pressure for long periods but they held firm with goalkeeper Cillian Murray making some great saves. Rob Ward and Eoghan Reynolds were to the fore throughout and Luke Walsh showed his class when needed. Crokes did manage a goal with 10minutes to go and reduced the gap to six but Lucan held out for a relatively comfortable 7 point win. Herkus did a lot of hurling around the middle while  Ben Coffey lead the forwards very well before an early departure for a harsh second yellow. That evened the sides as Crokes had lost a man 10 minutes previously. Cian McHugh picked off some nice scores while Harry and Emmet Allen also threatened regularly. Overall, it was a very good performance from a Lucan team that looked doomed after their first two matches in this championship, but now progress to contest the final seeking to secure the title for only the second time, 12 years after the historic breakthrough championship victory in 2005. Na Fianna will provide the opposition in what promises to be a great contest.

Lucan Team/Scorers: C Murray, E O'Connor, E Reynolds, E Seary, R Ward, L Walsh (0-1),  G Millea, A McNulty (0-1), H Sviglinskas (1-0), A Carroll (0-1), B Coffey (0-6, (0-5f)), C McHugh (0-3), A Murphy (1-0), H Ladd (1-0), E Allen (0-3 (0-2f)). Subs introduced: E Higgins, O O'Brien, C Keane, K Boylan.

SHC Semi-final: Kilmacud Crokes 1-13 Lucan Sarsfields 0-13.

This was a game that Lucan will feel they let slip after putting themselves in a winning position. Crokes had the benefit of the wind in the first half and started well with some early scores. Lucan fought their way in to the contest and had reduced the deficit to just one point as halftime approached. However Crokes finished the half strongly and scored three late points to lead 0-9 to 0-5 at half time.  Lucan started the second half on fire and 4 successive scores had the sides level at 9 each after just seven minutes of the half, with Johnny McCaffrey inspiring his team at half back. The next 15 minutes were tight and tense and Lucan eventually edged ahead before a monster free from Kevin O'Reilly put them 2 up with 10 to play and in a good position to push on for victory. Crokes fought back with 2 pointed frees to level again before another Reilly free had Lucan one up coming into the final minutes. Then in the 58th minute Crokes struck the decisive blow with a fortuitous goal as a rebound from the post was poked to the net just after Lucan had changed goalkeepers. Crokes added another point to stretch the lead to 3. The sides swapped scores from placed balls in injury time but Lucan couldn't force the goal they needed and Crokes held on to secure their place in the final. Lucan will look back on this as a missed opportunity but there were a lot of positives in the performance. Chris Crummey was outstanding under the high ball in a Lucan defence where Barry Aird, Johnny McCaffrey and John Bellew also showed great leadership. Ronan Smith and Matt McCaffrey worked tirelessly around the middle while the forwards showed great work rate with Paul Crummey picking a couple of nice points.

Lucan Team/Scorers: K Roche, P Smith, B Aird, P Claffey, J Bellew, C Crummey, J McCaffrey (0-1), R Smith, C Dowling, P Crummey (0-2), M McCaffrey (0-1), P Kelly (0-1), T Somers (0-4f), K Fitzgerald (0-1), CJ Smith. Subs introduced: K O'Reilly (0-3, 0-2f 0-1 '65), D Quinn.