Club News

National Camogie Feile

Our U15 Camogie, are representing Dublin Camogie in the Division 1 National Feile in the Connacht Centre of Excellence, Bekan, Co Mayo, this week-end, we hope the girls can repeat the success of the tough Dublin challenges they faced to qualify for this event. Please travel and support the girls. 

Well done to Holly Armstrong, Erin Hynes and Grace Birch who travelled with Dublin on Saturday to the Leinster U14 Camogie Development Blitz in Portlaoise.

13/06/23 7.30pm 12th Lock AFL6 Lucan 2-15 v 1-14 Na Gael Oga

Lucan had 6 subs on the line. Only 5 subs allowed. Manager’s worst nightmare. Wasn’t really such a big deal, as sub keeper was likely going to get the short straw. But this was no ordinary Sub Keeper. Only a very short time ago he was very, very unwell in hospital ICU. So having him back on the line, so quickly, seems little short of a miracle! Welcome back Dean! Dara presented a jersey signed by all the team before throw in.  

That much talked about ‘momentum’ swung back and forth in this game. It always does, but it was with a reckless abandon on this occasion. It is not enough for Lucan to flirt with disaster, they have to be seen trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. You really would want the defibrillator handy watching this lot!

Lucan are making a recent habit of strong starts, which considering the loss of Brendan, James & Oscar (off gallivanting) since the last match, was a good sign. There have been a lot of changes to the team over last few games. Colm moved forward from full back line to centre back, and immediately lost the run of himself, by getting so far forward that he opened the scoring! NGO looked very lively in the opening exchanges, and their 2 man inside line were able to tag on points, keeping Michael, Niall, Cian and Conor on their toes.

Marc was on hand to slot a well taken goal which gave Lucan the early momentum. Peter was providing some pinpoint passes into space for his 2 wing forwards to run onto. Louis added a point. Timmy slotted 2 excellent points as part of a real swashbuckling display; and a real killer blow saw Michael complete a length of the pitch rampage to bang in a goal. “Michael The Rampager”? Probably won’t catch on.

If Sam was more of a country lad he might have been making bales of hay on such a beautiful evening. At the 12th Lock he still managed to make hay. Na Gael worked out early enough that he had pace and a left foot. All of them shouting Citog! Citog! every time he got the ball. This might have helped with his left peg, but was of little avail when his pace had him a long way clear of his marker! They did resort to some more agricultural practices to halt his progress, but Jordan slotted the frees!

A 7 point advantage at the turn looked healthy. Callum had stepped up as our new midfielder and had a very good evening. Picked up the ball from the refs throw in and increased the advantage to 8 points.  Sam added another. Lucan seemed to be coasting, they were coasting, but there was a tiny shift in that space / time continuum, and the balance of the game shifted. NGO got a couple of good points. A couple of sloppy turnovers and some poor decisions. By three quarter time the gap was down to 4 points, and with Brossie, Declan, Gareth & Adam on the field all the cards had been played. An agitated Lucan sideline were calling for the team to “settle down”. Some wag pointed out that it might be the management that needed to calm down. Might have been right too! NGO, however in their enthusiasm to press home this advantage, began to leave openings that allowed Lucan to match the visitors over that home stretch. Even their late goal, was just too late, and Dean’s late point could so easily have slipped under the bar. Tony didn’t score, but Civil Service on Sunday will feel the full power of his wrath. We won’t talk about the one he pulled at, on the ground. 13m out. Straight in front of posts. Not a defender in sight. There’s still a search party looking for the ball in the bushes! Or the canal even.

Started with one keeper. So I’ll finish with Shane wearing No 1. Not sure it was his best display, but again when NGO had their tails up, he got a hand to a couple of goal bound shots. Kept the enemy at bay. What more can we ask?

Shane Kerins, Michael Young (1-0), Niall Moran, Conor McGrath, Cian Gaire, Colm Kelly (0-1), Tony Mulqueen, Tim Bradley (0-2), Callum Buchanan (0-1), Louis Butler (0-1), Peter Carroll, Sam Noctor (0-6), Aaron Garrigan (0-1), Jordan Delmar (0-3), Marc Sharkey (1-0). Subs Dean Walsh (0-1), Declan Lawlor, Gareth Lenehan, David Brosnan, Adam Conheady, Dean Davis 

18/06/23 11am Islandbridge AFL6 Lucan Sarsfields 5-8 v 3-10 Civil Service

Fingers poised. Brain in gear. At least, as much as that is possible. But need a hook. Story has to have a hook, and they are like hen’s teeth. At least usually they are. Not today though!

The barest of bare numbers....

The sub defender that stepped up to the plate...

The sub forward that kicked out the lights...

The mature midfielder who turned back the clock...

The flying wing forwards...

The returning starters with up to 2 years away....

Surely we can find something to write about?

Both sides came into the game on the back of 3 wins, and both were hoping to extend that. Civil Service would be an established team. This is code for older and bigger. Lucan were definitely younger and slimmer. This did not apply to the management.

Holidays, J1 trips, work shifts, rolled ankles and even imminent babies! You name it we had already banked that excuse, but we got to the starting line with 15, plus a sub keeper, Dean; and a fairly handy U14, Ollie. Ok. A fairly recent minor!

Peter and Tim combined to pinch the throw in, and Lucan launched a 3 minute siege that in the end saw us blocked down twice, and a couple of wides. CS made two forays up the field on turnover ball, and secured 2 converted frees. Another turnover, this time at the wrong end of the field, saw our very new defence ripped asunder, and Shane had no chance. 1-3 v 0-0 after 8mins.

Lucan unveiled their master plan, which was to remain the feature of the day. A long loopy pass over the CS half backs, caught over his shoulder by a flying Louis. A neat one-two with Marc, and keeper was left rooted, as Louis finished what he had started. Jordan tacked on a point, and early jitters were laid to rest.

Lucan unveiled master plan 2.0. Timmy picked up ball on Lucan 45. A sweeping pass to Jordan, out ahead of his man. Pop pass to the equally flying Sam, who left his marker gasping for air, and then left the keeper motionless.

Captain Marc, had not been 100% beforehand, but with the numbers issue, was willing to take one for the team. He overstretched for a 50-50 ball, and we all went Ohhh! Ollie stepped in, and Adam went forward. Dean had had a quiet start to the game, but the range finder was definitely plugged in for his opener. A towering point. However it was CS that had the last say of the half with a well worked goal. Again, off a turnover. Nobody keeping the stats, but Lucan’s inability to protect ball was a rich source for the home team.

A point down with a 2nd half breeze to come, seemed a reasonable starting point. Again lads won the kickout. Lucan laid a fruitless siege, and then CS got their foot on the accelerator, with 3 quick points as Lucan struggled to break past a very high press. Shane took matters in hand……..high press means there must be space beyond. A long kickout into space. Timmy was onto it. This time we employed both of the flying wing forwards. Timmy to Louis. Louis to Sam, and for a change the keeper did at least dive at this one! But to no avail. Dean pinged an equaliser to level matters again. Points exchanged, and then Lucan hit the sweet purple spot. Sam pointed. Adam gave a decent impersonation of his fellow half forwards, carrying 40m. It looked as though he might have gone too far, but Jordan picked up the loose ball, and required no 2nd invitation, and slotted home from an acute angle. Niall won a free, well out to the right. Dean pulled the trigger with ball sailing between the posts from probably 40m. Keeper must have been a bit dazzled by this free, because he kicked the ball straight back to Dean to see could he do it again. He did it even better! A smart exchange with Jordan, and then rolled the ball into the corner of the net. As professional a finish as you could ask for.

A quarter still to go, with a 7 point cushion. Lucan did settle back to a policy of containment. And CS pushed gamely for a way back into the game. A couple of points were never going to be enough. This patchwork defence were outstanding against some very big men, that they repulsed time and again. Eoin hadn’t trained or played in 4 months, and was outstanding. Just did his job. CS tried a number of lads on the edge of the square, and got zero change. Declan got his first start on this team, and stuck to the simple things. Did his job. Cian put in a huge amount of work. A couple of sloppy passes aside, it was his willingness to make himself available at all times that stood out. Michael, our corner back became Michael our centre back. Defended well, and still found a bit of time for some rampaging…..no goals today! Conor and Ollie managed to slow down the CS wing forwards, in a way that CS were completely unable to do at the other end. Looking at the full panel this would not have been the chosen format for our 6 backs, but they were immense this morning.

Keeper’s usually get mentioned for great saves or embarrassing howlers. In this instance Shane gets a mention for creativity. At least 4 scores came off his kick outs. Either long or out to the wings. Nothing he could do about the ‘last kick of the game’ a goal that CS finally managed to secure, albeit much, much too late to be of any relevance.

Shane Kerins, Cian Gaire, Eoin Farrelly, Declan Lawlor, Adam Conheady, Michael Young, Conor Sheary, Tim Bradley, Peter Carroll, Louis Butler (1-0), Marc Sharkey, Sam Noctor (2-1), Dean Walsh (1-5), Jordan Delmar (1-2), Niall Moran, Subs: Ollie Collins, Dean Davis

Great to see the travelling support. Much appreciated.

Golf Classic

Our Annual Golf Classic takes place this Friday 23rd June. Looking forward to welcoming our Teams & Sponsors on the day. Raffle tickets are still available from any of the committee members, behind the bar or at the café.

Coiste na nÓg / Juvenile

Summer Camps

Advanced Camp 21st-23rd June for those on U13 to U16 teams
Time - 10am - 12.30pm
Location - Lucan Sarsfields
Camp covers hurling/camogie and football/ladies football

Price - €40
Payment via Revolut to the following link revolut.me/alandh14
(Please reference the player's name when making payment)

We have some great coaches lined up and these will soon be announced

Register here

You can book Club Camps here, Camp Samhraidh here and the Cúl Camp link is here

Lotto

No Winner of last week’s Lotto Prize of €20,000.

The Numbers were 2, 13, 22, 24.

The lucky dip prizes go to, Mick Casey Jr., Greg O’Neill, Laura Murtagh, Lisa Roche and Adam Rooney.

Next week’s Lotto will be for a jackpot of €20,000. The draw is sponsored by Henley Forklift Group and will be led by Cormac Gordon.

Tá €20,000 sa phota óir don tseachtain seo chugainn agus is é urraitheoir na seachtaine:

Beidh sé beo ón Na Sárséalaigh Leamhcáin, an leathanach Facebook.

Déan cinnte go bhfuil d’iontráil curtha isteach agaibh roimh 6 i.n. oíche an chrannchuir, chun í a chur san áireamh sa chrannchur na seachtaine sin.

The draw will be held on Thursday 22^nd June, at 9pm and is streamed from Lucan Sarsfields Clubhouse, on our Facebook page.

Make sure your entry is submitted before 6pm on the evening of the draw to be included in that week’s draw.

féidir libh ticéadaí a cheannacht ar líne leis an nasc seo:

Tickets can be purchased online at the following link:

http://bit.ly/LucanSarsfieldsClubLotto,

Go raibh míle maith agaibh as ucht tacú le Na Sárséalaigh Leamhcáin

Thank You for supporting Lucan Sarsfields GAA Club.