Disappointment for our Junior A footballers, who after a brave and battling performance lost out by 3 points in the Junior Football Championship Final. It was a much better result the day before on Balinteer’s AWP as our U21 hurlers came from 10 points down at half time to win by 4 points and with it a place in the U21A County Final, vs Na Fianna; which will more than likely be fixed for the weekend of the 23^rd/24^th November. Good results for our Minor Camogie girls in Championship action with Minor A having a comprehensive win over St Vincent’s midweek, and the Minor B girls secured passage from the group with a win at the weekend.

This Week see our Senior Footballers in AFL1 semi-final action, Thursday night 7.30pm in Abbottstown VS Ballyboden, then on Saturday our U21s take on Ballymun at 2pm; due to be at home. On Sunday the 17^th November our Minor A and C camogie teams are back in action 10.30am and 12.30pm. Also on Sunday the U15A championship final is rescheduled for 12pm in Abbotstown; All support welcome and appreciated.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the Crowely family on the recent loss Edmond, RIP.

The Club’s AGM will be held on the 21st November. 

The Annual club mass for deceased members and family of members was celebrated by Fr David Gaffney on Thursday 7th November. We were delighted to welcome their family members to attend and light a candle in memory of their loved ones. Our thanks to Irene and Michael O'Grady for their attention to detail in organising the mass, preparing the mass ceremony and producing leaflets, preparing the function room and refreshments for after mass. Thanks also to those who baked cakes and other treats, and helped with serving tea and clearing up afterwards.

Lucan Healthy Club are organising a “Moustaches and Music for Movember” so please Save the Date – 30^th November , we are of course looking for more volunteers for this worthy cause, funds raised will go to the Marie Keating Foundation. Come on Lads let’s get involved.

Also the 30^th November the Lucan Healthy Club presents – COMPLETE MADNESS! Tickets on sale here ; don’t be disappointed; get your ticket ASAP, ONLY €10
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

Tá athrú dáta ann do Scór na nÓg Áth Cliath.  Beidh Scór na nÓg Átha Cliath ar tarlú anois ar an Domhnach 1 Nollag (01/12/2019)   idir 3-5 i gclub theach CLG Fingallians.  Má tá eolas breise uait is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh le  Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill  coilinoc@gmail.com nó ar 086 8599 067 le tuilleadh eolais a fháil.  Físeán do Jack Mc Caffrey ag labairt in Gaeilge ag ócáid bhronnta na PwC All-Stars le feiceál anseo. Áth Cliath Abú! Déan nasc linn ar facebook ag https://www.facebook.com/CLGAthCliathGaeilge

Lotto There was no winner of the lotto on the 7^th November, Numbers were 1, 5, 24 and 26. Next weeks’ jackpot is €16,200, next draw will be managed by Cormac Gordon and is sponsored by Dual Printing. Lucky Dips (€30): Ted Mulligan, Caroline Ware, Peter and Hazel, Bernice Dobbs and Teresa & Pat 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 in Schoil Mhuire. This provides training for children with disabilities age 5-12. Newcomers always welcome.

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 and now stocks Farrell hurls.

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

Date: 07 Nov 2019

Venue: St. Vincent’s GAA Club

St. Vincent’s Vs Lucan Sarsfields

 A PERFECT STORM...

FIRST HALF

A cold, wet, wintry night with sheets of rain cleansing the air greeted the Lucan Sarsfields Minor A Team and their opponents St. Vincent’s at their home ground. The spectators were heavily dressed for the elements and looked like the cast of ‘Happy Feet’ as they huddled close together with the fog of conversation rising visibly from their hooded and scarfed figures. Under the unusual sight of a silvery moon, the game began with initial back and forth forays by both teams assessing each other’s capabilities. Early on, a free was awarded to Lucan and Aoife Mahon duly despatched it for a point. The teams continued tentatively to test their opponents resulting in a goal apiece, Laura Quinn finding the back of the net for Sarsfields. Strong defensive work by Lucan saw the game begin to press on Vincent’s and Roisin Egan scored a fine point. There followed a series of runs by Lucan darting out of defence through midfield up into the forwards. A spine established from one end of the field to the other with every member of the team playing a part in moving the sliotar effectively up this spine. Millie Reid to Ellen Dunphy to Roisin Egan or Laura Sharkey to Ali Dunne to Phoebe Shannon. A resonance was being firmly established by mid-way through the first half. In this spell Ali Dunne sent a searing shot into the forward line which Phoebe Shannon scooped up and hand-passed into the net for another goal. Vincent’s retaliated with a point of their own during a spell of heavy rain. Lucan rebounded strongly with a goal from Chloe O'Connor. Lucan now turned on the after burners and with the unbearable pressure of firm tackles, sublime passing and swift running scored another goal from Siofra Byrne with a keen ground strike. At this point Lucan were creating many chances and the crowd were entertained with some tantalising near misses. Aoife Mahon added to her tally with another accurate free. A further goal followed by Chloe O’Connor. It was not all Lucan and Vincent’s did venture forward with a fine free which sailed enticingly towards goal but which Alicia Rooney saved with some skill. Towards the end of the half the pace lightened a little but still witnessed many intense confrontations resulting in an injury to a Lucan player. Ellen Dunphy performed some great running and tackling in this spell. This was mirrored by the forwards relentless work on and off the ball. They were again rewarded with a point apiece from Roisin Egan and Laura Quinn who scored from a particularly acute angle.

The first half ended Lucan Sarsfields 5:05 to Vincent’s 1:01

SECOND HALF

A tentative start for the teams saw a few wides as the players calibrated their strikes. Lucan settled first with swift passing and put three points between the posts. Vincent’s struck back after winning a free and scored a point which Lucan swiftly negated from a pass to Aoife Mahon supplied by Millie Reid after a heart-stopping tackle. Laura Quinn, not to be outdone, added another point for a Lucan Team playing within itself having settled into a winning rhythm. An injury to Aoife Mahon saw her leave the field but having contributed mightily to this great performance. Ellen Dunphy added another point from a difficult angle. Vincent’s did orchestrate attacks on Lucan and many were repulsed or forced into shooting wide. Ellen Dunphy again typified the resilience within this group when she had another strike blocked down and rising from the ground, but somehow not losing any momentum, seized the sliotar and sent it over the bar. It was Faye Murphy’s turn to take another point after a sprint up-field followed by a point from Laura Quinn. The defensive full back line was rock solid with Emma O’Brien, Aoife Byrne, Anna Cuffe and Rebecca Flanagan bolting the gates to Vincent’s attacks. Faye O'Reilly, now in goal, continued Alicia's assured performance. Players further up-field tracked back on many occasions to assist and release the sliotar into the forward players once again. And the relentless dance continued. Another free followed with a fine and steady strike from Phoebe Shannon. It was a team game and another point followed electric passing from Aoife Byrne to Chloe O’Connor. Chloe then added another goal to the burgeoning tally.Vincent’s struck back, demonstrating that Lucan could not take their eye from the prize, with two swift points. Lucan settled the cause with conclusive play involving Ciara Crosbie, Siofra Byrne, Laura Quinn and Roisin Egan, the sliotar sinking into the back of the net from Laura. Two more points, from Siofra and Ellen Dunphy, brought the curtain down on an emphatic display. There are times when all the conditions favour an unstoppable force and this Lucan team resembled a torrent that had built to sweep everything before it. A thought for Vincent’s who put up a valiant defence but were unstuck by a perfect storm on this occasion.

Congratulations to all the players and the coaching team with a shout out to injured Hannah Brady who was there to help with the stats and support the team.

FINAL SCORE:

Vincent’s 1:05 Lucan Sarsfields 7:18

Juvenile Football Report
Many of the Lucan juvenile football teams are now finished competitive action for the year but there are still some of the younger juvenile teams who had their final football games this weekend and some further teams involved in league action.

Date: 09/11/19

Venue: Juvenile Pitch 12th Lock

Opposition: Na Fianna C

Competition: U13 Football League 2/3rd place play off

Final Score: Lucan Sarsfields C 3-3, Na Fianna C 2-3.

The first instalment of the 2nd/3rd place got under way for Lucan C ,playing on the juvenile pitch for the first time. The weather remained dry, however the pitch was heavy and damp  and impacted on the players as the game went on.

The visitors got off to a flying start scoring 1-2 in the first half. Lucan tried everything to score, hitting the post twice, the upright twice and sending several score able chances wide. The Na Fianna goalkeeper was in great form pulling of loads of great and acrobatic saves until finally Lucan managed to get one past him.

The first half-finished 1.0 to 1.2. in favour of the visitors. 

The second half got underway with some positional changes made which resulted in more attacking play from Lucan. Again, the opposition goalkeeper was in superb form as he came to their rescue on several more occasions.

It seemed like the Lucan players had left their shooting boots behind for the day as the visitors scored another 1-01 and continued to hold their lead.

With 10 minutes to go Lucan managed to draw level and a hard-fought game continued for both teams as they both looked for the winner. The visitors sent two chances wide in the last 5 minutes and in the 2nd last minute Lucan managed to score the goal that had the side-line cheering and on the edge of their seats, eventually the whistle sounded, Lucan through to the next round against St Sylvester’s.

Squad: M Brennan, C Lawlor, E O’Connor, M Deignan, K O’Connor, H Geoghegan, C Murphy, S Geoghegan, S Walsh, C Hartigan, J O’Reilly, J Browne, F Haran, O Corry, S Wright.

 Scorers: E O’Connor, C Murphy, J O’Reilly, M Deignan, F Haran

Date: 19/10/2019

Venue: Ballinteer Community School

Opposition: Ballinteer St. John’s

Competition: U13 Div 2

Final Score: Lucan Sarsfields 4-7 Ballinteer St John’s 1-4

After defeating Ballinteer St. John’s in the final round of the league, Lucan ended up in a four way tie for second place. This meant a four way play off and Lucan ended up away in Ballinteer for the second time in 10 days and fortunately ended up with a second victory.

On a cold and blustery evening the game was played on the all weather pitch in Ballinteer. Lucan were playing against the wind in the first half but dominated possession from the throw in and raced into an early lead following a point from mid felder Aaron Cronin. This set the tone for the first half and with Aaron Malone, Gareth McDonnell and Oisin Sharkey excelling in defence this gave the platform for forwards Adam Rock, Gavin Collins, Louie Fanning and Charlie McHugh to tag on the scores which left the lads in green in a strong position with a 9 point lead at the interval.

Ballinteer stormed into the game at the start of the second half with an early point. The game was end to end at this stage with Callum Morris, Adam Salmon and Sean Flynn to the fore in the home rearguard. The lead was reduced when the home team converted  a penalty but further points by Gavin Collins followed by a Charlie McHugh goal from a penalty ensured Lucan maintained a good lead heading into the last quarter. Excellent play from Reece Kelly, Daire Collis, Michael Lynch, Robert O’Connell  and  Callum Wynne kept Lucan on the front foot to the end and  with excellent contributions off the bench from Robert Keher and Ben O’Keeffe allied to a five star performance from goalkeeper Sean Treanor ensured a deserved twelve point winning margin.

This win puts the team into a final play off against Naomh Mearnog to secure second place in Division 2.

Squad:

Sean Treanor, Adam Salmon, Sean Flynn, Michael Lynch, Aaron Malone, Gareth McDonnell, Callum Morris, Oisin Sharkey,  Reece Kelly, Aaron Cronin, Robert O’Connell, Gavin Collins, Adam Rock, Daire Collis, Louie Fanning, Charlie McHugh,  Robert Keher, Callum Wynne, Ben O’Keeffe.

On Sunday then, it was the turn of both U-15 teams.

In the Under-15 Division 7 league, Lucan played some great football to defeat Naomg Barrog 6-9 to 3-7.

In Division 1 of the same league, Lucan were too strong for Naomh Barrog and ran out winners on a score line of 7-13 to 3-10.

Well done to all the teams competing during the week.

Adult Hurling Report

Just one game to report this week with our U21A hurlers progressing to the Championship final after a dramatic win over Ballinteer St Johns - match report below. They now meet Na Fianna in the final, due to be played on weekend of Nov 23rd/24th. The weather denied our U21B’s their fixture and they will have to wait a bit longer to open their championship campaign.

U21 A Championship Semi-final Ballinteer St Johns 2-10 Lucan Sarsfields 1-17.

This games was due to be a home fixture for Lucan but was played on Ballinteer’s all-weather pitch due to the rainfall in the previous days, and while it stayed dry for this encounter, a biting cold wind blowing straight down the pitch had a huge impact on the game. Lucan started quite well despite playing into the wind and had the opening score through Matt Dunne. Balinteer then responded with a goal and began to exert dominance as Lucan struggled to win puck outs or get the ball into their forward line facing that wind. Lucan did manage a vital goal when Harry Ladd kicked home from close range after he and Ciaran Dowling combined to pressurise the home keeper. This score, and some solid defending by the Lucan backs, contained Ballinteer to just a 5 point lead as half time approached. However, in the final minutes of the half, Ballinteer broke through for a second goal and added a couple of quick points to build a 10 point lead at half time, 2-9 to 1-2. Lucan had a mountain to climb in the second half but with the wind now behind them, they still believed they could do it and set about their task with new energy. Ben Coffey came to the fore with some good scores from frees to gradually narrow the gap, but there was still a six point deficit with less than 15 minutes to play. Lucan refused to panic and began picking off points with more frequency, with Coffey, Dowling and CJ Smith to the fore. Coffey finally brought the sides level with just a few minutes left. Emmet Allen then put Lucan ahead and they pressed on to add a few more in added time and win by 4 points in the end.

Lucan team/scorers: C Murray, D Newcombe, A McNulty, C Keenan, A Murphy, R Stapleton, G Millea, E Allen (0-1), R Ward (0-1), B Coffey (0-8, 0-5f, 0-1 ‘65), C McHugh (0-1), C Smith (0-2), H Ladd (1-0), C Dowling (0-3), M Dunne (0-1). Subs introduced: C Keher.