Hurling
Lucan Sarsfields claim emphatic victory over Kilmacud Crokes in U19 Hurling C’ship decider
By Daire Walsh
JOEY Dunne struck a brace of opening period goals to help Lucan Sarsfields claim an emphatic 3-20 to 1-13 triumph over Kilmacud Crokes in the Dublin U19 ‘A’ Hurling Championship decider at 12th Lock on Saturday.
Having seen their U17 compatriots suffer an agonising defeat to the same club in the Dublin U17 ‘A’ Hurling Championship showpiece at O’Toole Park on October 31, this Lucan team were hoping to go a step further. Being afforded home advantage was certainly a huge plus for Sarsfields and they came into this game on the back of an impressive semi-final win against Naomh Barróg.
Captain Sean Harkness contributed 2-8 in that 6-19 to 1-8 success at the expense of the Kilbarrack side and he got Lucan up and running in this final with a brace of early frees. Jack Behan also split the posts from open play, before the hosts created considerable daylight on the scoreboard.
Whereas Harkness finished off a couple of intricate attacking moves in the penultimate round, he turned creator for Dunne’s quickfire green flag efforts in the 7th and 8th minutes. While Kilmacud did respond with some fine scores at the opposite end, Lucan were five points in front (2-3 to 0-4) by the first-quarter mark.
They were possessing the Midas touch in front of the posts and inflicted further damage in the 16th minute of the action. After gathering a long delivery from goalkeeper Cian Canavan, centre half-forward Matt Coogan clinically dispatched the sliotar to the back of the net.
Lucan were now in rampant form and with Brendan Kavanagh and Cathal Doody finding the range, the home team brought a commanding 3-8 to 0-8 cushion into the interval.
With every player from midfield upwards getting their names on the scoresheet, Lucan were performing at their optimum level and found themselves 11 points to the good just five minutes after the restart. Credit must go to Crokes, however, as they cut the deficit to a manageable seven points heading into the final-quarter.
Yet Lucan never panicked and seven scores in succession placed the outcome well beyond doubt. Their Stillorgan counterparts did conjure a late goal, but the gap between the sides still stood at 13 points come the end of the contest.
Although Dunne (2-1) and Harkness (0-7) led the way in the scoring charts, they were backed up by an outstanding support cast. Wing-forward Hugh Cuffe ended the action with four points to his name, while midfielders Liam Garrigan and Behan chipped in with 0-2 apiece.
In addition to the scores registered by the aforementioned Coogan, Kavanagh and attacker Doody, substitute Conor Hylands also posted a point for the victorious Sarsfields.
This Lucan performance was also backboned by a strong defensive display, with Michael Cunningham and Shane Coffey producing standout showings in the full-back line. James Finn, Finn Bruton, Jack Doyle and Alex Hickey also played their part on a momentous day at 12th Lock.