Club action got underway after playing restrictions have been lifted last Friday evening, when both the intermediate and junior ladies football teams commenced their league campaigns. The inters travelled to Bushy Park and came away with a 5 point victory over Templeogue Synge St, final score TSS 0-14, 4-7 Lucan Sarsfields. The juniors were defeated at home by St Oliver Plunketts, 1-3 to 4-17. See Match Report below.

On Saturday evening, the senior hurlers played their first championship game at home in a number of years, to Ballinteer. This game was ‘all-ticket’ and because of the restriction to 200 max including players, was effectively played behind closed doors. However many were able to watch the action live on our YouTube channel. Lucan ending the game with a win, 2-18 to 1-14. See Match Report below

On Sunday the junior A hurlers played out a 17 point draw with St. Peregrines 0-17 to 1-14, The junior B’s won away against Erins Isle, 1-11 to 2-11, and for the first time Lucan Sarsfields have fielded a fourth adult team in the championship, the junior C’s lost to St Vincents in Marino 3-9 to 0-13 – See Match Report below.

Also on Sunday 19^th, the three minor football teams all played away and all were defeated, minor A by Clontarf 4-14 to 2-10, minor B by Parnells, 1-8 to 1-7, and minor C by Skerries 3-10 to 2-8.

On Wednesday 22^nd intermediate ladies football lost by 2 points to Skerries Harps at the Club 4-7 to 3-12. Meanwhile the junior team won at  Ballinteer St Johns, 2-8 to 6-14, See Match Report below.

Coming up this weekend, On Saturday 25^th evening, it is the turn of the senior footballers at home to Ballinteer St Johns at 18:30. Again, due to restrictions, this match is entry by ticket only.  Please do not attend if you do not have a ticket.

We hope to stream this match live on YouTube and the link will be posted on the Lucan Sarsfields GAA Club Facebook page.

On the morning of Sunday 26^th,  the junior A footballers are at home to Templeogue, while the B’s travel to Sean Moore Park to face Clanna Gael at 3pm and our senior Camogie team travel to Faughs for a 10am start in the Adult Cup

All three minor hurling teams have away fixtures on Sunday, the A’s to Thomas Davis, B’s to Na Fianna and the C’s to Castleknock, all throwing in at 11am.

Tuesday 28^th sees the junior A hurlers go to Parnells while the B’s entertain Faughs at home, while junior camogie 3 and 4 both play Cuala, 3 at home, and 4 away.

On Wednesday 29^th, the senior hurlers are away to St. Oliver Plunkett’s ER, the junior ladies footballers also away to St James Gaels, the inter ladies are at home to Parnells, and, men’s minor A and C Footballers both at home against Thomas Davis– all scheduled to throw in at 7:30pm

Summer Skills week for U8 to U12 Football will commence on 10^th August, and for Camogie/Hurling on 17^th August. Places are limited, please see HERE for further information and booking.

For U13 to U16 players, we are running skills masterclasses with expert coaching on each day next week from 12 to 2pm as follows:

• Ladies Football session on Monday 27^th July
• Camogie session on Tuesday 28^th July
• Hurling session on Wednesday 29^th July
• Football session on Thursday 30^th July

Session cost is €20 and can be booked online HERE

Our sympathies to the Lee family on the death of Patrick, father of Anthony (Adult Hurling) May He Rest in Peace.

We have also learned of the death of former Lucan Sarsfields Footballer, Noel Cooney. Noel played for Lucan when he first moved to Dublin from Ballymahon, Longford, before moving to Geraldine P Morans and then on to Kilmacud Crokes where he was a selector and committee member. Our sympathies to his family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Found on AGP1 – A pair of wireless Apple Ear Pods – if you are the owner, send an email with your contact details and the serial number, and/or screenshot of the pairing to lucansarsfieldspro@gmail.com

Club Shop will reopen on Saturday 25^th July from 10 am to Midday and will revert to normal opening hours from next Thursday, 7:30-8.30pm and Saturdays 10am-1pm.

Lucan Sarsfields Lotto Jackpot €1000: There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot sponsored by Kenny's, Vesey Arms , held on Thursday 23rd July, 2020. The numbers drawn were 8, 12, 25 and 27. 

This weeks five Lucky Dip winners of €30 each, Carol Masterson, Hugh McGonigle, Brendan Wright, SMEGS and Mick Mulhall

Next weeks’ draw is for €1400 and is sponsored by Clandillon Motors and managed by Mary Flannery, and will be held behind closed doors on Thursday 30 July.

IMPORTANT: For the duration of the current restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak the lotto draw will take place on Thursday nights @ 9pm behind closed doors and will be live streamed on Facebook. You can still enter the draw by clicking on http://bit.ly/LucanSarsfieldsClubLotto or on the local lotto link on the Lucan Sarsfields website. Make sure to get your entry in before 6pm on Thursday to be included in that night's draw. These are very challenging times, so please continue to support your Club by playing lotto online.

Match Reports

Adult Ladies Football Div. 7 Cup - Lucan Sarsfields B v Oliver Plunketts ER - Friday 17^th July, AGP0

With all of the Covid paperwork and formalities completed, it was good to finally get back onto the playing pitch. A number of new players have joined the panel this year so the priority for the season is to try and get everyone familiar with each other, and get as much game time as possible for all.

Playing against a stiff breeze and against the hill, was not the start we wanted, against what turned out to be a good footballing opposition. Trailing to a half time score of 2 - 6 to 1-0, even with the elements in our favour in the second half, it was clear that we would have our work cut out for us in the second half. Credit to the Sars girls though they stuck to the task and while Plunketts ran out easy winners in the end, there was still a number of positives to be taken from the game as a whole. We look forward to the next Cup game away to BSJ, where we'll look to further build on the overall team development. We also wish Aoife O Kane well on her recovery from a hip injury.

Full Time Lucan Sarsfields 1-3, 4-17 St Oliver Plunketts ER

Lucan Sarsfields: Aoife M, Mari, Cliona, Lauren, Lorna, Katie, Niamh, Aoife O K, Chloe, Mia, Roisin, Orianna, Rachel, Cora O T, Aoife McK, Mags, Cora C, Sharon, Kelly.

Our adult hurlers got back to competitive action this weekend after the lockdown break, with the opening rounds of the club championships. We fielded 4 teams in adult hurling championships for the first time and return was two wins, a draw and a loss. Match reports below:

SHC: Lucan Sarsfields 2-18 Ballinteer St Johns 1-14. Saturday July 18^th – Pitch 1

The 12th Lock grounds were looking great on Saturday evening as we hosted a senior hurling championship game for the first time in a number of years. The privileged few who were able to attend witnessed a very competitive game in which Lucan eventually showed just enough to overcome a harder working Ballinteer team. Lucan started well and led 0-7 to 0-4 after 15 mins. Ballinteer kept in touch until the 24th minute when a Matt Dunne shot from distance dipped below the cross bar and found the net to put Lucan 6 ahead. The visitors reduced the deficit to 4 at half time, 1-11 to 0-10.

Ballinteer got through for a goal early in the second half and remained a constant threat until Chris Crummey broke through for a Lucan goal in the 58th minute to put Lucan 7 points clear and effectively killed off the visitors resistance. Lucan showed some rustiness from lack of competitive action will know they have plenty room for improvement for the tests ahead. John Bellew was outstanding in the Lucan defence where Alan Murphy also showed well in his first outing at this level. Ronan Smith in midfield was the other outstanding player on the night.

Lucan Team/Scorers: C Murray, M May, P Rigney, A Murphy, J Bellew, J McCaffrey (0-3, 0-2f 0-1 ‘65), L Walsh, R Smith (0-3), M McCaffrey (0-1), P Kelly (0-1), C Crummey (1-5, 0-5f), K Fitzgerald (0-1), D Flannery (0-2), P Crummey (0-1), M Dunne (1-0). Subs introduced: C Dowling (0-1), B Coffey, E Allen, R Ward.

Junior A Hurling Championship: Lucan Sarsfields 0-17 St. Peregrines 1-14. Sunday July 19^th 

Lucan lined out on Sunday morning against St Peregrines at the Twelfth Lock in the Junior Championship in front of a modest crowd. This was a closely contested affair with both teams displaying courage and resilience in equal measure. Kevin O'Reilly opened the scoring for Lucan which was quickly cancelled out and then overshadowed by a Peregrines press as they bundled the sliotar to the Lucan net. Lucan recovered to score the next six, including one from Rob Lambert, three from play and two placed balls from O'Reilly. Peregrines continued to press but their rising wide count against a more efficient Lucan side came against them. Towards the end of the half, they did convert two frees and one from play countered by two further placed balls from O'Reilly to leave Lucan ahead by 0-9 to 1-4 at the break.

Peregrines levelled after the resumption before Lucan inched into the lead again. Peregrines started to gain the upper hand and moved ahead before Lucan reasserted themselves to go two ahead with David Kavanagh also getting on the scoresheet. Peregrines retook the lead but O'Reilly's accuracy kept Lucan in the game. The lead continued to change hands before two late O'Reilly scores - a free and a 65 - put Lucan ahead once again. Peregrines worked a 65 in injury time which was missed but they converted a free deep in stoppage time to level the affair which was probably a fair result on the day. Final score: Lucan Sarsfields 0-17 St Peregrines 1-14.

Both teams will look to improve aspects of their game on the next outing. Lucan will feel they should have capitalised more on their higher possession whereas Peregrines had the larger wide-count following questionable shooting options.

Team: F Clandillon; T Behan, B McGarry, E O'Connor; A Sheehan, L Murphy, A McNulty; B Aird, I Crowley; D Kavanagh (0-1), R Lambert (0-1), C Hogan; A O'Neill, D Kelly, K O'Reilly (0-15: 0-8f, 0-1 65). Subs T Clandillon, G Coleman, N Gleeson, K Masterson, T Sword.

Junior C Hurling Championship: Erins Isle 1-10 Lucan Sarsfields 2-11, Sunday 19^th July, Finglas

Having won the Junior D championship last year, Lucan’s third team stepped up a grade this year and travelled to Erins Isle for their opening round clash. Lucan showed they were able to compete at this level as they came out on top in a well contested game. Ciaran Keane was the key player in the first half as his well taken goal and accurate free taking had Lucan a point ahead at the break, 1-7 to 1-6.

Facing into the breeze in the second half, Lucan’s cause was given a major boost when Cillian Borland finished a good series of passes with a goal in the 35th minute. The Lucan defence then came to the fore and held out against a series of attacks from the hosts and Lucan held on to win by 4 in the end. Luke Finnerty, Peter Fagan, Ciaran Keane and Andy Carroll were all very prominent in what was a solid team performance.

Lucan Team/Scorers: L Finnerty, D Hussey, K Roche, P Kane, S Kelly, P Fagan, J Mullins, A Finnerty, D Reid, S Donohue, E Lombard (0-2), C Keane (1-8, 0-7f), A Hanley, A Carroll (0-1), K Boylan (1-0). Subs introduced J O’Toole, S Farrell, J O’Connor, J Cavanagh.

Junior G Hurling Championship: St Vincents 3-9. Lucan Sarsfields 0-13, Sunday July 19^th, Pairc Na Uinsionn

Lucan Adult Hurling continued to make history, this time in the Championship vs. St Vincents in Marino. Both clubs fielded a fourth adult hurling team for the first time. Lucan settled better in the game in the first five minutes but failed to score. Vincents got on top in the next phase and scored two goals and a point in quick succession putting Lucan on the back foot. After the water-break (who knew this was part of hurling?), Lucan converted pressure into scores with Liam O'Connor converting three frees and a 65 followed by good scores from Charlie Caseley and Shaun Keegan. Vincents got a late point to leave them two points ahead at the interval.

After the break, Caseley continued his good form and scored two more overs either side of a pair from Vincents. Lucan pressed hard and outscored the Marino men 4-2 in the next phase of play to tie the match: this included two more O'Connor frees, another excellent score from Keegan off his left, from wide on the left, and a battling score from the tireless Cathal Shanahan. Lucan pressed to take the lead but missed some opportunities to pull ahead. Vincents finished the stronger of the two sides. They scored 1-2 without reply before a late close-in free from O'Connor kept rising to go over the bar followed by a final Vincents point from play. Lucan battled well, playing the better hurling at times and exhibiting good interplay to create scores. Vincents may have shaded the game in terms of hurling experience by converting their goal opportunities. Best for Lucan were Alan Flanagan and Conor Mannion in defence, a diligent Shanahan in the middle of the field, followed by Keegan and Caseley who applied the finishing touches to the hard work of the other forwards. The game finished on a score line of St Vincents 3-9, Lucan Sarsfield 0-13

Team: E Gately; M O'Malley, A Flanagan, C Mannion; S Stapleton, R Moloney, N Murray; C Shanahan (0-1), L O'Connor (0-6f, 0-1 65); S Keegan (0-2), C O'Neill, D Coogan; A Glover, C Byrne, M O'Shea; Subs introduced; C Caseley (0-3), P Farrell, S Egan.

Minor C Football Championship Group 4, Parnells 1-8 Lucan Sarsfields 1-7, Sunday July 19^th, Chanel

Our Minor B squad put up a strong showing away to Parnells on Sunday morning but ultimately came up short by the narrowest of margins. After a low scoring game with lots of missed chances from both sides, Parnells scored the winning point three minutes from time, and two subsequent long range attempts at salvaging a draw drifted wide. The first half was a scrappy affair with the first score only coming after fifteen minutes. Lucan were slow to start but their work-rate could not be faulted and as the half wore on, we came more and more into the game. Good points from Charlie Caseley, Mark Gormley and Jack McCarthy meant a half time score of Parnells 0-4, Lucan Sarsfields 0-3.

The second half began in a flurry of activity as Parnells opened the half with a goal. It was to be the only time in the match that there was more than a kick of the ball between the sides but it lasted only about 15 seconds. From the restart, Hugh Cuffe won a long kick-out to start a flowing Lucan move which ended with Shane Coffey firing to the net.

Panic over, the game settled back into the pattern of the first half. Scores were difficult to come by, and although Parnells stretched their lead out to 1-7 to 1-4 ahead on 50 minutes, Lucan rallied with three points in quick succession to level the scores on 66 minutes. We looked well poised to take the points at that stage but sadly it was not to be. Full Time, Parnells 1-8 Lucan Sarsfields 1-7.

Lucan Squad / Scorers: Oscar Nolan, Cormac Porter, Cillian Morrissey, Adam Smith, Ciaran Scully, James Finn, Brendan Kavanagh, Declan Lawlor, Mark Gormley (0-1), Hugh Cuffe, Jack O’Donnell (0-1), Charles Caseley (0-2), Shane Coffey(1-0), Ciaran O’Brien(0-1), Louis Butler, Jack McCarthy (0-2), Jake Mooney, Adam Conheady, Adam Dunne, Eoin Power, Neil O’Leary, Colm Mulvihill, Harry Day

Ladies Football Adult League Cup Division 7 - Ballinteer St Johns v Lucan Sarsfields, Wednesday 22 July 2020, Meadowbank

While the threat of and attempt at rain did nothing to dampen any Lucan spirits, water did play a part in a very entertaining contest, played on the astro at Ballinteer Community College. The game was flat at first with each side testing the other out, collecting wides instead of scores, and it was eight minutes before the first point was recorded, Rebekah Fitzpatrick from play for Ballinteer. For the remainder of the quarter it was all Ballinteer, another from Fitzpatrick, and two each from Lisa Webster and Aoife O’Reilly, meant the Sars Ladies were gasping for scores at the water break.

Maybe it was the liquid intake, but less than a minute after the restart, Aoife McKelvey pointed for Lucan, and immediately from the kickout Ballinteer poured upfield and Fitzpatrick netted for the home team to lead 1-6 to 0-1. But it was like shaking a bottle of sparkling water and opening the lid as Lucan burst out for the next fourteen minutes, Ballinteer only scored one additional point and were forced into defence, as the visitors stormed to their opponents half, Cora O’Toole took two fine points, followed by a brace of goals from Mia Dunne, and then O’Toole splashed the ball into the net for the first of her two. Roisin Egan pointed on 25 minutes followed by the first score of the game from a free, by Ellen Lyons, leaving the half time score, Ballinteer St John 1-07, Lucan Sarsfields 3-4.

Sarsfields stepped up another notch in the second half, Lyons from the throw-in, a meandering solo to the scoring zone, taking her point while the Ballinteer defence stood back and admired her run. O’Toole pointed again, before BSJ’s Robyn Kennealy beat Aoife Murphy, who otherwise had a solid game as Lucan’s No. 1,  for the home teams second goal, narrowing the gap to two, however, points from Aoife Seery and another from O’Toole widened it out to four again.

After the midway water break, Ballinteer decided to make a change and replaced an attacker with an extra defender, but it turned off the tap for their forwards as Lucan opened the scoring floodgates and rained in points from Dunne, Seery, Chloe O’Connor, McKelvey and O’Toole. Faye Murphy was fouled on her way to the net, the resulting penalty from Dunne smashing against the upright and flying wide, but goals from Sharon Lohan, Oriana Nicoara and another from Lucan Sarsfields top scorer and the referees player of the match, Cora O’Toole, put the cap on a decent performance and put the game well beyond the reach of the Ballinteer ladies.

Full Time: Ballinteer St Johns 2-8, Lucan Sarsfields 6-14.

Lucan Sarsfields Team/Scorers: A Murphy, L Sexton, A Clyne, C Commane (0-1), N Stokes, L Dawson, K Hegarty, C O’Connor, M Dunne (2-1), R Egan (0-1), E Lyons (0-1, 0-1f), S Lohan (1-0), O Nicoara (1-0), A McKelvey (0-2), R O’Neill, F Murphy, C O’Toole (2-5), A Seery (0-2), A Wood.